In its original incarnation, the famed Green Rhino Overdrive II is nearly as rare as its animal namesake. Originally introduced in 1994, the Green Rhino helped set the standard for what would become the boutique overdrive bonanza of the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
Like many boutique overdrives of the period, the much-coveted Green Rhino was inspired by the Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer. But when Way Huge originally closed its doors, the Green Rhino became arguably more desirable to collectors than the pedal that it was designed to emulate—commanding prices of several hundred dollars. With Way Huge (and founder Jeorge Tripps) back in business with the backing of Jim Dunlop Electronics, the prospect of a reissue became a hot topic among gear hounds. With the release of the Green Rhino Overdrive MkII, the rumors have become reality. And the pedal we all have heard so much about is back, and better than ever.
A Legendary Pedigree
The Green Rhino Mk II is built as tough and sturdy as its name implies. The classic Way Huge enclosure—crafted out of 2 mm thick, brushed aluminum—feels weighty and solid, and is finished in a cool light green. Volume, Tone, and Drive controls are laid out exactly like the control set on the original Green Rhino pedal. But there are two additional small potentiometers on the Mk II for expanding the boundaries of the Green Rhino’s tonal territory. The first—and my personal favorite—is a control for the level of frequencies at the 100 Hz range. This addition to the circuit is a godsend, as any guitarist who has ever been frustrated by the inherent low-end cut in bluesy overdrive pedals can attest. The control has a massive range, allowing me to boost or cut the 100 Hz frequencies by a whopping 12 dB. The second small potentiometer—labeled Curve—cuts frequencies above 1 kHz by as much as 6 dB, though it’s inside the clipping stage, so it’s more subtle than a straight 1 kHz cut.
This crunchy boy is lightly used and will ship next day! Feel free to give us a call with any questions you may have about it!