ROGER MAYER CLASSIC FUZZ PEDAL
FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
Fully optimized circuit design based on the original Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face™ solves the following original Fuzz Face™ problems:
- Large variations of quality & consistancy (often 20:1 reject ratio!)
- Radio frequency interference
- H.F. Oscillation (instability)
- Transistor temperature sensitivity
- Uses authentic PNP type germanium transistors carefully matched for gain and stability
- Internal trim potentiometer permits factory circuit optimization
- Effect can be “remote controlled” from the guitar volume control with no loss in tone
- Employs all the improvements and modifications Roger Mayer made for Jimi Hendrix
ROGER MAYER SAYS:
Our Classic Fuzz incorporates the same modifications that I personally developed for Jimi and can be heard on his early recordings.
Electronically this effect uses the Fuzz Face configuration of the classic two transistor amplifier but the low parts count and simplicity of this configuration produced many problems in the mass produced versions that were produced and available to the public. The large variations in tone quality from unit to unit, radio pickup and high frequency oscillations, temperature causing tone quality to change all made life very difficult and it was not unusual to have to select from up to 20 units to find a really good one. No two units were the same!
The version that we produce today has eliminated all of these problems and is representative of the best units that Jimi used. PNP Germanium transistors of the exact same type that were used in the early versions are very carefully selected for gain and stability to produce the rich smooth rounded tones that the later version NPN silicon transistors failed to emulate. These are still used by many modern manufacturers in so called vintage Fuzz Face versions. Germanium transistors do not pickup radio or oscillate and a pre-set has been added on the PC card to enable the unit to be optimised at varying temperatures. It is unquestionably the most accurate “Vintage fuzz effect” manufactured today that replicates the sound of the early Hendrix tracks. The Roger Mayer Classic Fuzz has the genuine pedigree and heritage and you can rest assured of having a device designed and built by the man who was there.
“Oh, the sonic havoc you can wreak with only two resistors, three caps, and a pair of NOS(new old stock) germanium transistors. The Fuzz´s volume and intensity knobs deliver classically brittlesounding fuzz on a monsterous scale. Once you experience it, you´ll understand why Hendrix amps could sound like they were abouth to detonate at any second. The Fuzz is quite dynamically responsive…”
Guitar Player Jun/-93
