Tech 21 Richie Kotzen RK5 v2 Signature Fly Rig | Guitar Interactive | Review

Following on from the much-celebrated original RK5, Tech 21 has once again hit a home run in the form of the Richie Kotzen RK5 v2 Signature Fly Rig, developed in close collaboration with Richie himself. Retaining the same delay with tap tempo, a powerful boost, and Richie's Signature OMG overdrive-the Richie Kotzen RK5 v2's new features include an independent reverb with choice of room size, a rotary speaker mode, compression, fuzz, a tuner, headphone capability and an XLR Output in a form factor fit for any touring artist. Nick Jennison tells us more.

[@tragedician]

I've used this unit extensively the past two years (both the original and the v2, as well as the Plexi Fly Rig). The Sansamp is key to the Fly Rig even when going into an amp. It's magical in front of an amp or through an FX loop and not just intended for DI use. Appreciate this review but it seemed to treat each component of the pedal separately as opposed to concurrently (as it's intended). The OMG and Boost shine when the Sansamp is EQ'ed to the amp and room. Also, the Sansamp isn't just a clean amp emulator. It actually sounds best IMO when the Sansamp drive is set to the edge of breakup. Then the OMG drive and boost gain cascade perfectly. Love this pedal.

[@pc2908]

I wholly agree. The cascading element is what makes this lil’ bastid shine. I love the updates regardless. Definitely took a good thing and ramped it up!

[@n8dawg85]

Just bought one of these and I definitely agree that the sans amp set for edge of breakup really helps to bring life to omg. I have noticed that the sans amp can sound sort of sterile if the level is set too low..once I crank the level up around 2 or 3 o’clock it really starts to come alive.

[@thedozeroperatorman]

I bought the Paul Landers Flyrig PL1. It immediately became my favorite. The Sansamp is so important. Without it you have the greatest NY Strip steak ever, but with no tastebuds

[@marcelobelloni8754]

I use this pedal long ago too, and yes the sansamp is fantastic combined with the rest of the pedal, but I feel I lose some response from the amp with sans amp working (like less percussion), but in terms of only sound, it sounds fantastic.

[@matthewgurlitz3514]

This is the most useful and detailed demo I have seen of this pedal, and great playing as well. I think you have sold me on it.

[@ericdallairez]

excellent and thorough job, I'm impressed by the quality of this review. greetings from Quebec!

[@steverae]

This is the best, most comprehensive review of the RK5v2 out there. Well done!

[@GuitarInteractive]

Glad you liked it!

[@dallasmitchell6999]

Just bought one of these and am loving the sounds I’m getting out of it running into the front of my Fender Hotrod Deluxe. Loved the tutorial and the explanation of all the elements of the Flyrig. Phenomenal player too, thank you🤘🏽

[@petaralargic]

Great demo, man.. Grab a cold one on me for rolling off the volume with fuzz engaged, so i am sure it does cleans up nicely.. Cheers!

[@danz2611]

Excellent & intelligent review with tasteful playing as always Nick! I have used the FlyRig V2 for several years now as the brain for my worship pedalboard that goes DI into FOH. It takes pedals extremely well (Wampler Tumnus, Moxie and Pantheon). The FlyRig V2 actually has an independent FX loop for time based effects. I can literally get anything from beautiful and lush ambient cleans to classic rock...all the way up to old school metal with this rig. It's all analog, hence it plays nice with pedals. I sold a Strymon Iridium (too much DSP--and didn't play well with pedals) and got this. I can't say enough good things about it. I hope this helps someone on the edge considering these types of all-in-one pedal solutions.

[@014bhap]

This and a Headrush FRFR108 is my backup rig. A gig saver. I find myself using it more and more as my main rig for small to medium gigs.

[@claudevieaul1465]

I've always been fascinated with these signature FlyRigs... I just wished the RK (and the Paul Landers too) had an FX loop, like on the regular FlyRig! Thát would make it so incredibly versatile...

[@tbrenner2374]

Fantastic review! Thorough, thoughtful, and articulate. Thank you

[@Jayhawk720]

Great demo Justin. Love your playing too. I have that pedal and loving it, really is an amazing pedal. I use the RK Fly Rig for all my gigs. Shelved my other stomp boxes.Learned a few more settings and tricks from your demo. Thanks 👍😎

[@Jayhawk720]

Thanks

[@12hpa]

I went straight into the fx return of a boogie amp..sounds marvelous for high gain tones

[@1979GenXdude]

👇🏻Why all the hate in the comments below? The guy obviously is influenced by RK and plays exceptionally well. Sounds good.

[@pedro1849]

Great review, great player!

[@CBGypsy03]

Wicked job... I am going to try one out . The headphone option is great, if it had an aux in for jam along would be cool too. Rock on

[@aldersmoke1]

This thing's kinda neat, but I'm a little mystified as to why the modulation and delay don't have separate footswitches. They're such different staple effects that it doesn't make sense to have them bundled this way.

[@b-regsproductions]

I really like this because of the comp. I would love to run this fly rig super clean with each drive selection set low. I play mostly cleaner shoegaze indie alternative styles and this has most of my needs met. @tech21nyc should build on this concept and make something for indie/blues low gain stuff.

[@BrotherTimothyClark]

Yes .

[@Roarwhy0710]

Is this going into the front of amp or through FX loop?

[@toddashley407]

Not a good review frankly... Most of it was done with the sandamp turned off - which is the heart of the unit. Also the choice of guitar to use with this unit was less than desirable - Richie himself uses hot stack single coil voiced Teles and Strats with this unit and its really designed around that. This video was a great example of how to make something great sound kinda meh by making a series of choices which shead the unit in a bad light. That said I have this unit and its an outstanding product - it puts a smile on my face when I plug into it and brings joy and inspiration to guitar playing that is special and hard to find.

[@justinlaygo3367]

What guitar is that?

[@somtingwongwai7194]

The equipment is not your issue If you want to sound like Richie Kotzen.

[@billx8245]

I've heard better demonstrations of this on KZbin. If you search you will find some good one's where the RK5 sounds really good.

[@dancomber9768]

Great playing but dude, tune your guitar! It's not close to the backing track at all.

[@droliver]

I love Kotzen, but I think these really don't sound very good in person. There are so many better options with either pedal or multifx units

[@Monfrelu]

I have to disagree, they sound really good....but the tone is always in the hands as well

[@somtingwongwai7194]

That's because you can't play like Richie Kotzen.

[@stratfindersmusic2875]

Dude, play it through a FENDER AMP! Everybody uses a FENDER AMP! Nobody uses the crap youre playing through. And DEMO THE REVERB! ALL OF IT!

[@yanossnicklefritz7064]

I appreciate the great review. But I honestly don't think it sounds very good. To each his own. If Richie's using it, I'm sure he likes it enough.