Fuzztavia
Purple haze of fuzz in multiple octaves
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The Fuzztavia fuzz rack effect module compares to the Roger Mayer Octavia and the Tycobrahe Octavia octave fuzz pedals. Jimi was an undisputed master of fuzz, and this is another of the fuzz pedals designed for him by Roger Mayer. Mr Mayer's website has lots of info about his effects and how to use them like Jimi did. If you cover Jimi or SRV or dig their fuzz tones, you'll need one of these!
Description
Everyone knows the Octavia was first build my Roger Mayer, Jimi Hendrix's guitar tech, and used on "Purple Haze" and other Hendrix classics. Stevie Ray Vaughan also owned and used several of them. Mr Mayer is quick to point out that there were many versions of the Octavia. Jimi mainly used some custom-built ones that utilized germanium transistors. Later, he developed a silicon transistor version that was a little better suited for touring. Jimi used the silicon one with Band Of Gypsies. The silicon one was also built by Tycobrahe, and became the better-known version. Mr Mayer continues developing and tweaking the circuit to this day. The different versions do have slightly different designs and components, but all of them sound like Octavias and have the same critical pieces in their circuit designs.
The Fuzztavia is based on the popular silicon transistor Tycobrahe version of the circuit. While we can build to that spec, we also offer some of our own modifications to provide some additional tone options.
Configurations
- Fuzztavia - compares to Tychobrahe and Roger Mayer Octavia pedals
Options
- Tone Control - This adds a Tone control. We like this option, as the circuit can be bassy and woofy. This lets you cut some of the bass down. Roger Mayer's newer units also have a Tone control
- Bass Cut - We can change the input capacitor to chop out some bass.
- Bass Cut Switch - Add a switch to change between the original input capacitor and a different input capacitor that will chop out some bass.
- Carbon Comp Resistors - By default we use metal film resistors to help keep noise down. But you may want carbon comp resistors with your fuzz.
- No Pull-Down Resistor - The original circuit did not have a pull-down resistor to create high input impedance. We add one by default. Select this option if you do NOT want a PDR.
- Input Level Control - This allows you to cut your input signal down to reduce the fuzz level a bit. That may help make the octave tones a bit easier to hear.
- Octave Switch - This allows you to turn the octave effect on or off.
- Components - We use metal film resistors and a selection of capacitors that provide good tone and low noise.
Front Panel
- On/Off inidicator LED
- Volume
- Intensity
- (optional) Tone control
- (optional) Input Level control
- (optional) Bass Cut switch
- (optional) Octave switch
Rear Panel
- Audio In
- Audio Out
- On/Off Footswitch
- On/Off Override
- DC Power
- DC Power LED
Module Width
- 1.5" standard
- 2" with options
- 2" left wing module and 1.5" right wing modules are available for 2-4 control configurations
Power Consumption (aprox)
20 - 25mA
Base Configurations
| Part # | Description | List Price |
| MOD-FZTAV | Fuzztavia module | $220 |
Options
| Part # | Description | List Price |
| MOPT-FZTAV-TONE | Tone Control | $19 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-BASS | Bass Cut | $0 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-SWBASS | Bass Cut Switch | $19 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-CCOMP | Carbon Comp Resistors | $5 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-NOPDR | No Pull-Down Resistor | $0 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-INLEV | Input Level Control | $19 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-OCT | Octave Switch | $19 |
| MOPT-FZTAV-CC | Custom Components | TBD |