MXR has officially launched the latest iteration of its Randy Rhoads signature Distortion+ pedal, this time drawing visual inspiration from one of the late guitar hero’s most legendary instruments: the Jackson Concorde V.
Fans will remember the brand’s last Rhoads tribute pedal, the limited-edition Polka Dot Distortion+, which paid homage to Randy’s famed Polka Dot V guitar. That model, developed in collaboration with the Rhoads family, replicated the exact circuitry of Randy’s original MXR box and quickly sold out upon release after overcoming lengthy production delays.
Now, the new Concorde Edition Distortion+ brings the same painstaking recreation of Rhoads’ tone, but wrapped in the bold aesthetics of the shark-fin–inspired Jackson Concorde V — the very guitar that launched the Jackson brand in 1980 and became Randy’s go-to on the road.
This Concorde-inspired Distortion+ features the same circuit spec’d directly from Randy’s original unit, ensuring players can channel his searing, articulate overdrive and singing sustain. The visual update comes with sleek black-and-gold styling and gold knurled knobs for the Output and Distortion controls, nodding to the elegance of Rhoads’ Concorde. Each pedal also includes a collector’s booklet, making it a must-have for both players and fans.
“I’m always working on something, though I don’t talk about it,” Randy’s sister, Kathy Rhoads, told Guitar World recently. “We’re about to release a second MXR pedal… in September we’re releasing a second one designed after the Jackson Concorde.”
The Concorde itself is considered one of the most iconic metal guitars of all time. Designed in collaboration with Grover Jackson after Rhoads’ visit to the Charvel workshop post-Blizzard of Ozz tour, the Concorde was the guitar that would define not only Randy’s legacy but also a new era of high-performance, pointy metal guitars.
The MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+ Concorde Edition is available now for $189 and keep up with all our MXR coverage right here!
