The Voodoo-Axe is a fuzz guitar effect pedal from Roger Mayer, described by the maker as its latest fuzz design. It is an evolution of the Axis Fuzz, the circuit Mayer designed for Jimi Hendrix in 1968, and it carries that lineage forward with an added passive Tone control1. For a player, it sits in the fuzz tradition of the Hendrix-era designs rather than being a modern high-gain distortion.
Circuit and sound
Roger Mayer describes the Voodoo-Axe as "an evolution from my original design", saying it "has many of the qualities the Axis Fuzz which I designed for Jimi in 1968"1. The circuit uses what the maker calls a unique combination of discrete and IC design techniques to emulate the type of distortion found on many classic tube amplifiers1.
The addition over the Axis Fuzz is a passive Tone control, which Mayer says extends and tightens the low end response without becoming woolly1.
Outputs and bypass
The pedal offers two ways to connect it to the rest of a rig1:
- Dual direct drive buffered outputs, capable of driving very long leads without any loss1
- Traditional hard wire output/bypass, provided so a player can compare a buffered output against a hard wire bypass in their own pedalboard1
Power
The Voodoo-Axe can run from an internal 9-volt battery, with a battery life Roger Mayer rates at 150 hours, or from a 9-volt DC power adapter, which is not supplied1. The DC jack is a standard 2.1mm center pin type, situated next to the jack sockets, and the pedal uses the standard negative center pin connection protocol used by many leading manufacturers1.
The maker specifies a current draw of 50mA or more1. That is well above what many small multi-output supplies allocate per outlet, so the Voodoo-Axe needs a supply rated to deliver at least that figure.
Physical
The pedal is housed in Roger Mayer's Classic Style enclosure, with dimensions of Width 95 x Depth 120 x Height 57mm, and a weight of 350g1.
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Questions
Does the Roger Mayer Voodoo-Axe run on a battery?
Yes. The Voodoo-Axe has provision for an internal 9-volt battery, which Roger Mayer rates at a battery life of 150 hours. It can also be powered from a 9-volt DC power adapter, though one is not supplied with the pedal.
What power supply does the Voodoo-Axe need?
The Voodoo-Axe can be powered from a 9-volt DC power adapter, which is not supplied. It uses a standard DC power jack with a 2.1mm centre pin, situated next to the jack sockets, and follows the standard negative centre pin connection protocol used by many leading manufacturers.
How much current does the Voodoo-Axe draw?
Roger Mayer specifies a current draw of 50mA or more for the Voodoo-Axe, so a supply rated for at least that figure is needed.
What is the Voodoo-Axe's relationship to the Axis Fuzz?
The Voodoo-Axe is an evolution of the Axis Fuzz, which Roger Mayer designed for Jimi Hendrix in 1968. Mayer describes it as having many of the qualities of that original design, with the addition of a passive Tone control.
Sources (1)
- Guitar Effects Pedals by Roger Mayer, Roger Mayer (roger-mayer.co.uk)
