Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Roger Mayer Octavia
Roger Mayer is one of the most influential effects makers of all time. Responsible for many great players fuzz tones, he's probably most famous for tweaking (or just rebuilding) Jimi Hendrix's Fuzz Faces. He also has his own line of pedals and this is his take on the classic Octavia (octave up) effect. This one doesn't use a transformer like the Tycobrahe Octavia, so it's a little easier to build (at least you don't have to order a transformer...). This layout follows Roger's original 2-knob Octavia, housed in a spaceship looking enclosure.
this is also verified!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI like when I make you change tags :B (just kidding hahaha)
ReplyDeletesome ideas how to conect here an octave off switch? thanks
ReplyDeleteI think there's a mod to lift the diodes, but that just turns the fuzz on/off, not the octave. Don't think there's a octave on/off mod. But if you come up with on, by all means let us know!
Deletethe reason I'm wondering is this FFm6 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AezErLNaqjI ) that is described to be an octavia circuit without an octave up part.
DeleteAh, that's based of the Tycobrahe Octavia.On that effect you just have to install a SPST switch on one of the diodes coming off the transformer.
Deletehttp://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/octavia.php
What are the dimensions of this board? Trying to print in it's actual size.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the PCB! Saved me from buying the transformer (Which was impossible to find anyway.)
Scaled pdfs of all layouts can be found in the Transfer Image Library tab at the top of the page.
DeleteI've just modded my diy octavia according to the following info on DIYStompboxes.com:
ReplyDelete"Get a 3-position SPDT on-off-on toggle. The common goes to the junction of the lower diode and 100k. One of the outside lugs goes to the junction of the upper diode, 2M2, and 22uf. The other outside lug goes to the lifted end of the lower diode that would normall be connected to the 100k.
The middle position leaves the lower diode disconnected, eliminating the octaving. One of the side positions connects the diode to restore octaving, and the other side position disconnects the lower diode but also bridges the upper diode to effectively remove its impact on the circuit, giving a less "reedy" distortion."
thread link: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=112807.0
This mod does switch the octave off entirely! The fuzz position sounds good, and you can even get nice overdrive tone at low gain settings! I highly recommend this mod. Cheers!
I get fuzz but not the octave sound, what might be the reason?
ReplyDeleteThis Layout sounds killer!
ReplyDeleteBetter than my Dunlop Octavio!
Thanks
A classic!
ReplyDeleteSome voltage readings? Sounds a bit gated and not too much octave
Any idea what original transistors were used in the device? Were they really 2N3906, or older germanium PNP transistors? There can be an appreciable difference in sound quality between germanium and silicon transistors, depending upon the cicruit.
ReplyDeleteAFAIK germaniums weren't used in this circuit. Roger Mayer did design a germanium and transformer based octave for Jimi Hendrix, but this isn't the same circuit. This design I think dates back to the late 70s/early 80s and it's doubtful germanium devices were ever considered for it. I'd stick with the 2N3906s.
DeleteThanks. I built a copy of a Dallas Rangemaster once, and it really needed the germaniums to make it sound correct. Do you have any info on the older germanium/transformer schematic?
DeleteDon't know much other than Roger wasn't happy with it and switch to silicon transistors.
Deletehttps://m.sites.google.com/site/g33rb00k/effects/builders/roger-mayer/rocket/octavia
Thanks for the input and that link -- great rabbit hole to run down!
Delete