Tom Scholz Rockman Equalizer Rack Unit Module • 1988 • Excellent

Tom Scholz Rockman Instrument Equalizer Rack Unit Module

Tested and used with the Distortion Generator.
Sounds incredible.
No issues.

Tom Scholz designed the unit because existing commercial equalizers could not handle guitar-level signals properly while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio, footswitch capability, and better-than-octave resolution. It is widely recognized as a key component behind the signature guitar tone of the band Boston.

Key Features & Design

12-Band Graphic EQ: Specifically tailored frequency bands optimized for electric guitar shaping rather than standard audio or bass ranges.

Half-Rack Format: Built as a compact modular unit designed to fit into a specialized 19" rackmount chassis (which typically holds two half-rack Rockmodules side by side).

Footswitchable: Fully controllable via remote switching systems like the Rockman MIDI Octopus.

Signal Optimization: Engineered specifically for guitar-level inputs with a low noise floor, allowing it to be used cleanly in pre- or post-distortion setups.

Introduction

In a first approach, an equalizer is only an equalizer. Something simple that all the manufacturers should be able to design correctly.

But if you ask someone like Tom Scholz if the common commercial devices fit his requirements, the answer is less obvious.

The Rockman Instrument EQ is just different and better than what's available on the market. Let's see what makes its qualities and differences.

Objective and history

"[...]a couple of years ago we designed a graphic equalizer. Now, how crazy is that?

There are dozens of them on the market, but there was not a single one that could be used with a guitar level signal, was footswitcheable, had a decent signal-to-noise ratio, and could give better than an octave resolution.

We tried to modify existing units, but finally gave up and designed the stupid thing so we would have what we needed."

(Tom Scholz in Guitar World, Feb. 90)

Usage and limitations

The Rockman EQ is truly mandatory for anyone who really wants to create and tweak his own sounds. When one starts building a Rockman rig with a Sustainor, it becomes rapidly obvious that two EQ's are necessary: one placed in the loop as a pre-distortion EQ, the second one being placed after the Sustainor.

The possibilities provided by a pair of EQ's are both subtle and endless. Changing a few dB's on a frequency band can alter significantly the sound and the position of the guitar in a mix, and using radical settings can also deliver specific sounds: fuzzy or metallish, fixed-wah effects, etc...

Collectibility and conclusion

The Rockman EQ is a sort of perfect tool, and is becoming quite hard to find: people always want more EQ's and don't sell them easily.

The problem is that there are 21000 Sustainors and 15000 DG's to equip, while only 5500 Rockman EQ's were manufactured!