Rockman Gear
In the early 80’s Tom Scholz introduced the Rockman X100. Scholz is an MIT graduate and the Rockman gear was designed to let everyday people achive guitar tones that took hundreds or thousands of dollars of studio gear and knowledge to achieve. It was revolutionary at the time and was truly one of the first stack-in-a-box devices.
The Rockman line was expanded to include rack mountable modules. Including the Rockman Sustainor, Chorus and Echo.
If you have any questions or comments about Rockman gear please leave a comment on this page.
Dave Robertson. I’m interested in the XP100 amp. Email me at MockBird1972@aol.com. Thanks.
Hey! I liked your website, its very helpful. I was thinking about getting some rockmodules and building a rig. I don’t a real large one, so I was wondering which modules I need to get the best tone. Thanks!
The first module I would get is the sustainor. It’s a lot better than the distortion generator. Second would be a stereo chorus. There really aren’t any other chorus units like it out there. Third would be a stereo echo, though they are very expensive.
All of this gear was designed to be pumped through a full range system like a PA or keyboard amp. It doesn’t sound it’s best going through a guitar amp.
Thank you very much, now I know how to build a perfect rig! Also thanks for that guitar amp tip.
I have a bass ace, but the power supply is gone. Can you tell me what replacement to buy?
Great website!
I’m currently looking for a Rockman Stereo Chorus module and a Rockman Stereo Echo module with the rackshelf.
If you have, or know anyone who has those items for sale, please email me at:
shadmusic@bellsouth.net
(P.S. I just saw Boston a couple months back at The Hard Rock in South Florida and it was a great show… They paid a respectful tribute to Brad)
Cheers,
Matthew
Any suggestions on getting the Boston sound on a Boss GT10 ??
Legend has it when Tom was using Marshalls he used an MXR EQ with the settings in the picture before the amp.
If the GT10 has a pre-distortion EQ I would these settings a try. I’ve also heard some people using a wah pedal left in a middle position to kind of get close.
In the later Rockman gear there was careful tweaking of the EQ before and after distortion stages.
Thanks for the help !!
The Sustainor Manual (in the Bypass Section) only addresses bypass mode functionality. If the Sustainor is used as an in/out side-chain effect with a driven tube amp normally running into the high impedance inputs, can the Sustainor operate properly inserted into the high gain signal path even though the manual states it’s a low impedance device? And on a (spiritual) side note: To blame someone (Tom Scholz) for someone else’s (Brad Delp) suicide is totally bogus. Whatever Tom may have allegedly said regarding Brad (or other Boston members) is a moot topic. Just like in marriage, acrimony is part & parcel of a band break as well. I’ll bet that Brad had “other issues” which led to his demise. Blaming others for one’s deficient backbone is not only erroneous, but wholly unfair. Tom was the Boston (Rockman) Mastermind after all. randyfricke@yahoo.com
To Donald Breneman: Don. Grab a Godlike Power-All. It will power anything. I’ve been using mine for a year powering 4 pedals and no problems thus far. Musician’s Friend has them for $40 and they’ll power up to 10 units. Good deal.
Ace…
I’m not sure about the ACE series but the x100 took a special power supply that required plus and minus voltages. I’m not sure the Godlyke Power-All will power up an X100. I’m not sure about the ACE series though.
I don’t know if this is where to post it, I have a perfect photo of an XP212 which I noticed wasn’t on the site with the pictures of other Rockman gear.
They only made about a dozen of these and I have one in “showroom” condition price tag still on, never left the house… I was going to sell but I guess it’s off to eBay. They are cool though 50/100w switchable, 100 foot pedal presets, true stereo (add power cabinet & effects & flange go side-to side. Anyhow if whoever runs the site wants a photo to add to the collection I can give them one and all the specs since it wasn’t listed or shown.
PS: It’s for sale; collectors only; not bargain hunters.
I play a lot of blues and have a rockman xp 100.My cousin used to use it to practice with.He played with the black crows for a while.Anyway a few years before katrina he stayed with me for a bit and was having problems with the jack and took it all apart and left it in my closet when he moved.My amp died at the time,so I took it out to have a look see before I tossed it.Come to find out it had a loose output capacitor.I soldered it and the input jack and it works fine now.I have been using it to practice with since.I like to play blues like clapton,hendrix,srv and some of the oldies like buddy guy and bb.I like the amp but it is really hard to get the sounds I want.I would gladly trade it for a twin reverb.can anyone give any suggestions on adjusting these things.
I have a Rockman XPR (rack unit) for sale at ebay:
http://instruments.shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=rockman+xpr&_sacat=619
Or just search under Musical Instruments.
Hi,
I have a Rockman sustainor 200 (White face from). On the back it is stamped Dec 11 1989. Serial number SP20012. I am the original owner. Never gigged with it. It’s never been out of the house except whne I move.
I want to sell it.
Any advice?
Thanks,
I’ll buy it from you if you’re still selling it.