Danelectro DJ20 Rocky Road Pedal

This second hand guitar effects pedal is in very good condition

The Danelectro Rocky Road is a rotary speaker simulator pedal designed to replicate the swirling, warbly sound of a Leslie-style rotary speaker. While it was originally released as a budget-friendly option, it has gained a cult following due to its quirky sound, unique fast/slow ramp-up, and unmistakable character. However, it also has some notorious flaws, making it a love-it-or-hate-it pedal depending on your needs.

Build Quality & Design

As with most early Danelectro pedals, the Rocky Road comes in a small, lightweight plastic enclosure, which is both a blessing and a curse. While it's compact and easy to fit on a pedalboard, it also feels fragile compared to metal-cased pedals.

The design follows Danelectro’s vintage aesthetic, with a funky teardrop shape and simple controls. It features:

• A fast/slow switch to toggle between rotary speeds
• Speed, Tone, and Overdrive knobs to tweak the effect

One common issue is the volume boost when the pedal is engaged—a design flaw that many players have struggled with.

Tone & Sound Quality

The Rocky Road aims to recreate a Leslie-style rotary speaker effect, but it doesn’t sound exactly like a classic rotary speaker. Instead, it has a lo-fi, almost synth-like modulation that some players love for its uniqueness.

Key Sound Features:

Fast/Slow Rotary Simulation – The pedal switches between two speeds, mimicking a real rotary cabinet’s acceleration and deceleration.
Overdrive Circuit – Adds a dirty, tube-like grit, similar to cranked Leslie speakers.

Pronounced Modulation – Sounds more like a vibrato-heavy rotary effect than a true dual-horn Leslie simulation.

The overdrive circuit is actually a nice addition, providing a warm, vintage-style breakup that helps emulate the natural saturation of a real rotating speaker amp. However, the modulation is quite aggressive, making it sound less natural than higher-end rotary pedals like the Neo Ventilator or Strymon Lex.

Another major flaw is the noticeable volume boost when engaged, which can make it hard to use in a live setting without adjusting levels. Some players have found DIY modifications to fix this, but out of the box, it can be frustrating.

Performance & Use Cases

The Danelectro Rocky Road works best in psychedelic rock, blues, funk, and classic rock settings. It's particularly great for:
Hammond Organ-style Tones – When used with a keyboard or organ patch, it can deliver a fun, dirty rotary effect.
Psychedelic Guitar Tones – Works well for Hendrix, Pink Floyd, or Beatles-esque rotary-style textures.
Funky, Warbly Vibrato – If you want something that sounds more quirky and synthetic than traditional, this pedal stands out.

However, if you’re looking for an authentic Leslie speaker simulation, this probably isn’t the best choice.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly rotary effect
• Fast/slow speed switching mimics a real Leslie cabinet
• Built-in overdrive adds warmth and grit
• Compact, pedalboard-friendly size
• Great for experimental, lo-fi, or psychedelic sounds

Cons:

• Noticeable volume boost when engaged
• Not a true Leslie simulation—sounds more like a vibrato-heavy modulator
• Lack of control over rotary transition speed

The Danelectro Rocky Road is a fun, quirky rotary pedal that works well for lo-fi, experimental, and vintage-style tones.