The Spaceman Effects Spacerocket is a fuzz pedal built on a fully discrete, hand soldered and hand-wired circuit, listed at $369.00 USD1. Spaceman describes it as an intermodulation fuzz whose behavior changes depending on how many strings you play. On single-string lead lines the maker describes saturated, multi-dimensional fuzz that blooms in between notes; with chords and multi-string playing the intermodulation between strings produces what Spaceman calls "intermodulated, metallic and noisy robot fuzz"12. Each pedal is signed and numbered on the inside, with a hand-hammered number tag on the enclosure, and the Gold edition carries a die-cut rocket flame that reveals a red LED that "burns" based on your playing dynamics1.
The pedal is built in Portland, Oregon, with an all-discrete tone path, military-spec wiring, and fully discrete, hand-soldered and hand-wired circuits13. The Gold edition reviewed here is a limited batch of 7 and is sold out1.
What it does to your sound
The Spacerocket emits what Spaceman calls "otherworldly fuzz tones" with harmonic octaves13. The hottest Fuzz setting is described by the maker as a blistering, compressed fuzz bomb with layers of sustaining fuzz, and harmonic octaves appear on the tails of sustained notes1. The intermodulation character is the distinguishing feature: where a conventional fuzz tracks one note, the Spacerocket's octave content reacts to the combination of notes you feed it, which is why chords push it into metallic, noisy territory while single lines stay smoother and more saturated12.
Controls and power
The layout is simple, with three controls:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tone | Shapes the fuzz's frequency balance1 |
| Level | Sets output volume1 |
| Fuzz toggle | 3-way toggle switch controlling Fuzz gain1 |
Power comes from a 9V DC supply, with input resistance of 1 Meg Ohm3. Bypass current draw is listed at 0.8 mA on the maker's product page; a second Spaceman page for the pedal gives 2.7 mA, so the two maker pages disagree on that figure3. True bypass switching is handled by what Spaceman describes as the heaviest-duty mechanical footswitch available, chosen for a long, trouble-free life23.
Editions and limited runs
Spaceman has released the Spacerocket in several limited editions across its life:
| Edition | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Blue | Blue powdercoat, limited to 20 pieces with blue indicator3 |
| Original Silver | Unfinished silver enclosure3 |
| Fifth Anniversary Reissue | Four limited editions3 |
| Gold | Limited batch of 7, metallic gold powdercoat, black and gold engraved faceplate1 |
| Copper One Of A Kind | Single one-of-a-kind unit2 |
The Gold edition's enclosure carries a die-cut rocket flame revealing a red LED that "burns" based on your playing dynamics, a vintage aerospace indicator light holding a blue bypass LED, and cream Davie's control knobs1. Each pedal is signed and numbered on the inside, with a hand-hammered number tag on the enclosure1. The original run was held in a super-duty USA-cast aluminum enclosure topped with a durable vinyl faceplate3.
The Gold edition is sold out, and the original editions were small runs, so the Spacerocket generally appears on the secondhand market rather than new from the maker13.
The Spacerocket II
Spaceman reissued the design as the Spacerocket II, a sequel to the original pedal45. Guitar Pedal X reported the MKII edition as "only very subtly improved from the the MKI edition"6. Like the original, the reissue is built on a fully discrete, hand soldered and hand-wired circuit, and each pedal is signed and numbered on the inside, with a hand-hammered number tag on the enclosure1.
The Spacerocket II shipped in three signed and numbered First Editions: 20 Blue, 50 Black, and 100 White units, all priced at $29945. Its control set is Level, Tone, and a Mode/Voicing switch with three positions, Fz1, Oct and Fz26. Spaceman describes the II as "an otherworldly fuzz. A wide variety of unique and inspiring tones live within its minimalist control layout, from traditional octave-fuzz effects to thick layered waves of fuzz."4
Build and warranty
The Spacerocket is handmade in Portland, Oregon, with an all-discrete tone path and military-spec wiring3. The original pedal includes a transferable three year warranty plus a lifetime discount repair plan3; the Spacerocket II carries a Limited Lifetime Warranty instead5.
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Questions
What kind of fuzz is the Spaceman Spacerocket?
It is a discrete silicon transistor fuzz with harmonic octaves. Spaceman calls it an intermodulation octave fuzz: on single-string lead lines it produces saturated, multi-dimensional fuzz that blooms between notes, while chords and multi-string playing bring out intermodulated, metallic and noisy robot fuzz character.
Is the Spacerocket silicon or germanium?
Silicon. Spaceman describes the Spacerocket as a discrete silicon transistor fuzz, with fully discrete, hand-soldered and hand-wired circuits. This separates it from the company's germanium designs such as the Sputnik line.
Is the Spaceman Spacerocket true bypass?
Yes. True bypass switching is provided by a heavy-duty mechanical footswitch, which Spaceman chose for a long, trouble-free life. Bypass current draw is listed at 0.8 mA, with another Spaceman page giving 2.7 mA.
How many Gold edition Spacerockets were made?
The Gold edition was a limited batch of 7 pedals, finished in metallic gold powdercoat with a black and gold engraved faceplate. Each was signed and numbered on the inside with a hand-hammered number tag on the enclosure, and the edition is sold out.
Is the Spacerocket still available?
The Gold edition is sold out. Spaceman reissued the design in 2024 as the Spacerocket II in limited White, Black and Blue editions at $299, so the circuit continues in that pedal.
Sources (6)
- Spacerocket: Intermodulation Octave Fuzz, Spaceman Effects
- Spacerocket: Intermodulation Fuzz, Spaceman Effects
- Spacerocket, Spaceman Effects
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-10-16
- Spacerocket II: Octave Fuzz, Spaceman Effects
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-12-18
