The Spaceman Effects Apollo VIIb (Blue) is a medium-gain overdrive and preamp pedal derived from the preamp section of the Voyager tremolo. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as delivering dynamic overdrive tones with rich harmonic content and strong touch sensitivity, and the same description appears on both the Blue and Black listings1. It is an updated and refined version of the earlier Apollo VII, which Spaceman now calls "a fine overdrive, but it's not the Voyager preamp that Spaceman fans had asked for"2.
The Blue version is one of three first-edition colorways. Spaceman offered the first edition in three signed and numbered colors, Blue, Black and White, in a numbered, open edition format2. At the time of the maker's page capture, the pedal was sold out2.
A medium-gain overdrive from the Voyager preamp
The Apollo VIIb is a medium-gain overdrive and preamp derived from the preamp section of the Voyager tremolo, isolated in its own compact enclosure2. The lineage goes back to the Apollo VII Overdrive, which Spaceman presented as an overdrive with an articulate, fuzzy-drive character, with up to 40dB of gain on tap3. Guitar Pedal X's coverage of the Apollo VIIb Cadet described the original Apollo VII as a fine overdrive, but not the Voyager preamp that Spaceman fans had asked for24.
The VIIb is a substantial revision rather than a reissue. When Spaceman released the revised Apollo VIIb Voyager in April 2025, Guitar Pedal X reported that over 60% of the components and/or values had been changed to "correct" the Apollo circuit, and that Spaceman said it should really be called the Apollo VIII as it is 80% different from the original5. The overall frequency curve, gain structure, clipping balance and dynamics were all refined as a result5.
The Apollo VIIb answers that directly: it is the preamp and overdrive section from the Voyager tremolo series, built as its own pedal2. Delicious Audio's 2025 announcement of the revised Apollo VIIb Voyager described the result as delivering medium-gain overdrive with natural tone, sparkling highs, and rich harmonic textures6.
The controls: Gain, Tone, Level and a three-way clipping switch
The front panel keeps the Apollo VII's three-knob layout: Gain, Tone and Level. Spaceman says the Gain and Level controls deliver a range from a perfectly voiced and powerful boost to layered organic overdrive, while the Tone control dials in sparkle or analog warmth2. RockBoard's listing summarizes the same three controls as providing flexible shaping from clean boost to saturated drive1.
The fourth control is a three-position clipping switch offering VOY, ALT and Boost modes for different response and breakup characteristics1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the drive amount, from boost to layered organic overdrive2 |
| Tone | Dials in sparkle or analog warmth2 |
| Level | Sets output volume across the boost-to-drive range2 |
| Clipping switch | Three positions: VOY, ALT, + (Boost)2 |
What the three switch positions do
- VOY: The original semi-symmetrical LED-based clipping from the Voyager pedal series, offering a blend of odd and even-order harmonics. Guitar Pedal X lists this position as semi-symmetrical LEDs25.
- ALT: A new asymmetrical silicon diode clipping option exclusive to the Apollo VIIb, with increased even-order harmonics for a smoother breakup25.
- + (Boost): Boost mode, which removes the clipping diodes entirely. Spaceman describes it as significantly louder and less compressed, with pronounced odd-order harmonics2. Delicious Audio characterized it as diode-less boost with sparkling, louder tones6.
Blue, Black and White versions of the Apollo VIIb
The first edition of the Apollo VIIb was offered in three signed and numbered colors: Blue, Black and White, in a numbered, open edition format2. When the revised Apollo VIIb Voyager opened for pre-orders, it was available in limited quantities in Blue, Black and White colorways5.
The difference between the versions goes beyond finish: the Black version features a vintage aerospace indicator light2, which Delicious Audio also noted on the Black version in its 2025 coverage6.
The Apollo VIIb is now also available in either Cadet Series or PDX Custom Series builds2. The Cadet version differs in one detail worth knowing: it uses true-bypass relay switching via a momentary footswitch, rather than the soft-click mechanical footswitch of the standard build4.
The Apollo VIIb was sold out at the time of the maker's page capture2. The first edition was a numbered run, so the Blue version may not return in the same form.
Build, bypass and where it is made
The Apollo VIIb is built in Portland, Oregon by Spaceman Effects1. Each unit is completely hand-soldered and handwired using only through-hole components, with tight-tolerance, hand-selected and measured parts2. The circuit is fully analog and true bypass1, and Guitar Pedal X described the revised circuit as 100% analog with mechanical bypass5. The earlier Apollo VIIb Voyager run also carried a battery option and was fully soldered and wired by hand in the old style5.
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Questions
Is the Spaceman Apollo VIIb true bypass?
Yes. The Apollo VIIb uses true-bypass switching, with the maker describing a soft-click footswitch on the standard build and relay-based true bypass via a momentary footswitch on the Cadet Series version. Guitar Pedal X also described the revised circuit as 100% analog with mechanical bypass.
Is the Spaceman Apollo VIIb analog?
Yes. Spaceman Effects describes the Apollo VIIb as a fully analog circuit using only through-hole components, and RockBoard's product listing likewise states the circuit is fully analog and true bypass. Each unit is hand-soldered and handwired in Portland, Oregon.
What do the VOY, ALT and Boost settings do on the Apollo VIIb?
VOY is the original semi-symmetrical LED-based clipping from the Voyager series, blending odd and even-order harmonics. ALT is a new asymmetrical silicon diode clipping option with increased even-order harmonics for smoother breakup. The + position is Boost mode, which removes the clipping diodes entirely for a louder, less compressed sound.
What is the difference between the Blue and Black Apollo VIIb?
The circuit is the same in all three first-edition colors: Blue, Black and White, each signed and numbered. The Black Edition is extra-limited and adds a vintage dimmable aerospace indicator light, which Delicious Audio noted on the Black version in its 2025 coverage.
Where is the Spaceman Apollo VIIb made?
The Apollo VIIb is built in Portland, Oregon by Spaceman Effects. The maker states each unit is completely soldered and wired by hand using only through-hole components, with tight-tolerance, hand-selected and measured parts.
Is the Apollo VIIb based on the Voyager tremolo?
Yes. Spaceman Effects describes the Apollo VIIb as the preamp and overdrive section from the Voyager tremolo series, isolated in its own compact enclosure. It is an updated and refined version of the 2019 Apollo VII, with over 60% of components or values changed.
Sources (6)
- Apollo VIIb (Blue) by Spaceman Effects, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Apollo VIIb: Overdrive, Spaceman Effects
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2019-12-13
- Apollo VIIb Cadet: Preamp / Overdrive, Spaceman Effects
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-04-11
- New Pedal: Spaceman Apollo VIIB Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2025-07-17
