The Roger Mayer Classic-X is a fuzz pedal built around a germanium transistor, announced in August 2008 as one of four new X-series pedals from Roger Mayer. Premier Guitar describes it as a low-noise, high-gain design that is stable and free of radio and other electronic interference, with a greatly increased output level that can overdrive the front end of any amp in volume boosting mode1.
Where it came from
The Classic-X sits in a long line of Roger Mayer fuzz designs. Premier Guitar describes the X-series pedals, which also include the Stone-X, as "a modern evolution from the commercial fuzz pedals Roger modified for Jimi Hendrix," and each pedal is an updated version of the Rocket series of pedals1. The Stone-X is the silicon-transistor counterpart to the Classic-X's germanium design1.
Controls and features
The pedal's headline feature is the Fatness Control, which allows tweaking without destroying the overall tonal characteristics1. Other design points worth knowing:
- Front end buffering, activated on or off by moving two jumpers on the pc card1
- Two buffered outputs or a hard-wire output, depending on how you set it up1
- Easier battery access than earlier designs1
The buffer is not switched from the outside. Turning it on or off means moving two jumpers on the pc card inside the pedal1.
Power
The Classic-X takes a standard DC power jack, with extra internal filtering to ensure low noise performance1. Battery operation is also supported, with easier battery access cited as a feature of the new design1.
Questions
Does the Roger Mayer Classic-X use germanium or silicon transistors?
The Classic-X uses germanium transistors. Premier Guitar's announcement notes that Roger Mayer employs a careful selection procedure for the two PNP germanium transistors. Its sibling pedal in the X series, the Stone-X, uses silicon transistors instead, so the two cover the two classic fuzz transistor types.
What does the Fatness control do?
The Fatness Control allows tweaking of the sound without destroying the pedal's overall tonal characteristics, according to Premier Guitar's 2008 announcement. In other words, it lets you adjust the body of the fuzz tone while keeping the pedal's basic character intact.
Can the Classic-X run on a battery?
The pedal offers easier battery access, and it also takes a standard DC power jack with extra internal filtering to ensure low noise performance. So it can be run either way, with the DC input filtered to keep the noise floor down.
How do you turn the buffer on or off?
The front end buffering is activated on or off by moving two jumpers on the pc card inside the pedal. That means opening the pedal up and repositioning the jumpers, not flipping a switch on the outside.
Does the Classic-X have two outputs?
Yes. The Classic-X offers hard wire or two buffered outputs, so you can choose an unbuffered hard-wire output or use the buffered outputs, depending on how you want to set up your rig.
Who designed the Classic-X?
The Classic-X was designed by Roger Mayer, whose fuzz work goes back to the commercial fuzz pedals he modified for Jimi Hendrix. The X-series pedals are described as a modern evolution of those designs.
Sources (1)
- New Pedals from Roger Mayer, Premier Guitar, 2008-08-26
