As I always say when I write these, its not as if the world really needs yet another review on an already popualr product with hundreds of opinions already floating around....however, since I asked for some advice before the purchase and some SDUGF memebers were kind enough to take the time to help me choose between the Fulltone 70 and the RM Axis, I feel its only right let them know how it fared. Maybe just maybe it will be of intrest to a few other people as well.
So lets get it on.....
Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz. Huge space ship type enclosure. Far, far bigger footprint that I would of guessed. Its sort of odd looking, doesnt fit well on a pedal board either but it does have its own cool style. I mean who else makes a fuzz that looks like a spaceship ?
I'll tell you what though, as "fugly" as the design/look may be, it works!
You can step on this thing blindly and turn the effect on/off. Its NEVER going to flop over on its side, and your never going to hit the controls.
My Crucible Fuzz for example has some knobs that are quite easy to turn (the Axis is very very stiff) and like most pedals they are a mere inch or so from the switch.
Wearing thick boots or even tennis shoes I find I often nudge the knobs stepping on the pedal. Suddenly the volume knob is at half. Crap!
Thats just not going to happen with the Axis so thats pretty brilliant overall I'd say
Its also orange. I always thought it looked red in pictures on the web. I think I may actually paint mine. Maybe totally cheese it out with some sparkle silver flake and then do some little windows or something on it etc LOL
Lastly regarding the construction it is built like a tank. I've seen plenty of enclosures of 1/16th" construction but this thing has got to be twice as thick. Its definatly gig worthy
So hows it sound ? Pretty sweet. Its definatly got a unique voice and I've played a ton of fuzzes and never heard anything quite like it.
Its bright and cutting, thin yet thick. Spitting but warm. a very odd mix right ?
It can getting the aggressive cutting tone of the Fuzz Factory but definatly feels more smooth, organic and toneful at the same time. The Fuzz Factory always has felt sort of cold and steril and modern to my ears (not that its a bad thing)
Its got way more definition than my Big Muff or any clone I've played. Great clarity and does get flabby or farty or too woofy.
Its definatly a silicon fuzz tone with way more gain than a Fuzz Face Ge however it cleans up much better than a Si Fuzz Face with a huge range of tones via the guitars volume knob.
More than any fuzz I own in fact, you can go for sort of a bluesy OD to a ranged spitting fuzz with the volume knob and the whole range is useable.
My Crucible on the other hand it pretty silent under about 5 or 6 while the Axis can go for totally clean at 2 or 3. very nice.
Bottom line is this fuzz gets the Jimi Bold As Love tone as well as BOG, Live at Berkley, Atlanta etc. Its the exact fuzz tone of that era of his life.
Now I know he used a Fuzz Face but remember, it was a Fuzz Face casing. Roger didn't make the rocket ship until 1980 so Jimi's FF had different guts.
I know theres plenty of talented people building effects these days but I've got to say that my money is now on Roger Mayer. He's the man when it comes to the fuzz. He built units for Paige, Beck and Hendrix.
Further more he worked directly with Jimi on a regular basis and thats some credibility that no one else can claim.
Its one thing for someone today to say they build an effect and so and so has it on their board. Thats great, its a good endorsement but Roger spent a couple years working directly with Jimi building effects custom for him.
Overall this is the most expensive fuzz on my board and also was the hardest to find but I've got to say its definatly the best I've played for what I do.
Its not going to knock off the Fuzz Factory or the Big Muff, nor the Keeley but I think as far as Fuzz Face type clones go, be they Si or Ge the search is over. The Axis isn't really a fuzz face but it does what I always wanted a fuzz face to do, if that makes sense.
Now to go get some paint...... lol
So lets get it on.....
Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz. Huge space ship type enclosure. Far, far bigger footprint that I would of guessed. Its sort of odd looking, doesnt fit well on a pedal board either but it does have its own cool style. I mean who else makes a fuzz that looks like a spaceship ?
I'll tell you what though, as "fugly" as the design/look may be, it works!
You can step on this thing blindly and turn the effect on/off. Its NEVER going to flop over on its side, and your never going to hit the controls.
My Crucible Fuzz for example has some knobs that are quite easy to turn (the Axis is very very stiff) and like most pedals they are a mere inch or so from the switch.
Wearing thick boots or even tennis shoes I find I often nudge the knobs stepping on the pedal. Suddenly the volume knob is at half. Crap!
Thats just not going to happen with the Axis so thats pretty brilliant overall I'd say
Its also orange. I always thought it looked red in pictures on the web. I think I may actually paint mine. Maybe totally cheese it out with some sparkle silver flake and then do some little windows or something on it etc LOL
Lastly regarding the construction it is built like a tank. I've seen plenty of enclosures of 1/16th" construction but this thing has got to be twice as thick. Its definatly gig worthy
So hows it sound ? Pretty sweet. Its definatly got a unique voice and I've played a ton of fuzzes and never heard anything quite like it.
Its bright and cutting, thin yet thick. Spitting but warm. a very odd mix right ?
It can getting the aggressive cutting tone of the Fuzz Factory but definatly feels more smooth, organic and toneful at the same time. The Fuzz Factory always has felt sort of cold and steril and modern to my ears (not that its a bad thing)
Its got way more definition than my Big Muff or any clone I've played. Great clarity and does get flabby or farty or too woofy.
Its definatly a silicon fuzz tone with way more gain than a Fuzz Face Ge however it cleans up much better than a Si Fuzz Face with a huge range of tones via the guitars volume knob.
More than any fuzz I own in fact, you can go for sort of a bluesy OD to a ranged spitting fuzz with the volume knob and the whole range is useable.
My Crucible on the other hand it pretty silent under about 5 or 6 while the Axis can go for totally clean at 2 or 3. very nice.
Bottom line is this fuzz gets the Jimi Bold As Love tone as well as BOG, Live at Berkley, Atlanta etc. Its the exact fuzz tone of that era of his life.
Now I know he used a Fuzz Face but remember, it was a Fuzz Face casing. Roger didn't make the rocket ship until 1980 so Jimi's FF had different guts.
I know theres plenty of talented people building effects these days but I've got to say that my money is now on Roger Mayer. He's the man when it comes to the fuzz. He built units for Paige, Beck and Hendrix.
Further more he worked directly with Jimi on a regular basis and thats some credibility that no one else can claim.
Its one thing for someone today to say they build an effect and so and so has it on their board. Thats great, its a good endorsement but Roger spent a couple years working directly with Jimi building effects custom for him.
Overall this is the most expensive fuzz on my board and also was the hardest to find but I've got to say its definatly the best I've played for what I do.
Its not going to knock off the Fuzz Factory or the Big Muff, nor the Keeley but I think as far as Fuzz Face type clones go, be they Si or Ge the search is over. The Axis isn't really a fuzz face but it does what I always wanted a fuzz face to do, if that makes sense.
Now to go get some paint...... lol
)
