The Face Of Spades Octave Edition is an octave fuzz pedal built by R Weaver FX Handbuilt Pedals, a small builder that makes each pedal to order. R Weaver describes it as an octave fuzz based on the circuit Roger Mayer created for Jimi Hendrix, and says the tones are reminiscent of "Purple Haze", "One Rainy Wish" or the Band Of Gypsys on New Year's Eve in 19691.
It is a two-knob pedal with true bypass switching, handpicked silicon transistors, and matched silicon diodes that the maker says produce a prominent octave response. As of late October 2026 it is listed as sold out on the maker's site, at a price of £164.00 GBP1.
An octave fuzz built on the Roger Mayer circuit
R Weaver FX builds the Octave Edition around the octave fuzz circuit Roger Mayer created for Jimi Hendrix. That lineage matters to players chasing the classic octave-up fuzz sound of the late 1960s Hendrix recordings, and the maker points directly at those tones: "The tones are reminiscent of "Purple Haze", "One Rainy Wish" or tones from the Band Of Gypsys on NYE in 1969."1
The circuit design sets it apart from some other octave pedals. R Weaver states plainly1:
"This circuit is not transformer based like the Octav8, but transistor based."
R Weaver FX product page1
Instead of a transformer, the octave work is done with handpicked silicon transistors chosen for gain and performance, plus matched silicon diodes for a prominent octave response1. The maker also notes it stacks well with other fuzz or overdrive pedals1.
Inside, the pedal uses a high quality multi layer PCB, which the maker says gives durability and a minimal noise floor1.
The controls
The control set is minimal, in keeping with the original circuits it draws from1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| DRIVE | Controls the amount of fuzz or distortion of the circuit1 |
| VOLUME | Sets overall output level1 |
| BYPASS footswitch | True bypass, disengages the fuzz/octave effect1 |
With only DRIVE and VOLUME, the interaction between the two is the whole game: DRIVE sets how hard the circuit is pushed, which also affects how strongly the octave comes through, and VOLUME sets the level hitting the rest of your rig1.
Power: 9V, center negative
The Octave Edition takes a standard 9V 2.1mm center negative DC power jack, the same connector and polarity as most modern pedals. The maker is emphatic about supply quality: use a 9V isolated power supply only1. It also runs on a 9V battery, with a Carbon-Zinc type recommended1.
R Weaver specifies a 9V isolated power supply only. Daisy chaining this pedal with others on a shared supply goes against the maker's guidance.
How it compares with the other Face Of Spades pedals
R Weaver FX builds three pedals in the Face Of Spades family, each based on a different classic circuit123:
| Pedal | Circuit basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Face Of Spades Octave Edition | Roger Mayer octave fuzz circuit for Jimi Hendrix | Transistor based, matched silicon diodes for octave response1 |
| Face Of Spades Axis Edition | Axis Fuzz circuit created for Jimi Hendrix | Fuzz Face type lineage, more output and sustain than the traditional Fuzz Face2 |
| Silicon Face of Spades Fuzz | Square Face Fuzz built by Cesar Diaz | NTE123AP silicon transistors, stable in hotter temperatures3 |
All three share the same practical layout: true bypass switching, a 9V 2.1mm center negative power jack with the isolated-supply-only instruction, a 9V battery option with Carbon-Zinc recommended, and the same 1-year non-transferrable warranty against operational defects123. The Axis Edition and Silicon Face of Spades Fuzz were also listed as sold out as of late October 2026, at £152.00 GBP each23.
The Octave Edition is the one to look at if the octave-up fuzz sound is the goal; the Axis Edition is a straight fuzz with more output and sustain than a traditional Fuzz Face type, and the Silicon Face of Spades is a fuzz without the octave123.
Questions
Is the Face Of Spades Octave Edition true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses true bypass switching, so with the effect disengaged the signal passes through without buffering. The bypass footswitch simply turns the fuzz and octave effect on and off.
Does the Face Of Spades Octave Edition take a battery?
Yes. It runs on a 9V battery, and R Weaver recommends a Carbon-Zinc type. It also has a standard 9V 2.1mm center negative DC power jack, but the maker says to use a 9V isolated power supply only.
Is the Face Of Spades Octave Edition transistor or transformer based?
It is transistor based. R Weaver states the circuit is not transformer based like the Octav8, and instead uses handpicked silicon transistors chosen for gain and performance, with matched silicon diodes for a prominent octave response.
What polarity does the Face Of Spades Octave Edition use?
It uses a standard 9V 2.1mm center negative DC power jack, the same arrangement as most modern 9V pedals. The maker specifies a 9V isolated power supply only, so daisy chains are off the table.
Is the Face Of Spades Octave Edition still available?
As of late October 2026 the maker's product page lists it as sold out. Each pedal is made to order, so availability depends on the builder's current production. The listed price was £164.00 GBP.
What warranty does R Weaver FX give on the Face Of Spades?
R Weaver FX backs the pedal with a 1-year warranty against operational defects. The warranty is non-transferrable, so it applies to the original purchaser rather than a second owner.
Sources (3)
- Face Of Spades Octave Edition, R Weaver FX Handbuilt Pedals
- Face Of Spades Axis Edition, R Weaver FX Handbuilt Pedals
- Silicon Face of Spades Fuzz, R Weaver FX Handbuilt Pedals
