J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Select Overdrive / Boost & DI Guitar Effect Pedal

The Archer Select is a uniquely functioning Boost/Overdrive. Over the years of K style pedals people have sworn by the influence of the proper NOS germanium clipping diodes in order for this particular design to be accurate to the original. There is so much speculation on the internet and certainly misleading information by the original designer. We decided to let your ears be the determining factor and to provide the ability for you to easily switch between 7 different clipping diode options.

If you simply leave the clipping diode foot switch off it defaults to the stock diodes (OA10’s). With the clipping dial you can choose between 6 additional clipping diodes. Depending on which diodes you have the selector knob on you can A/B between the stock diodes and the selected diodes. Diodes range from lowest output to highest output when turning clockwise. (Very Subtle)

D.I. Speaker Simulator is something we included for those who like to be able to monitor their OD sound via direct or have the option for direct recordings. The ground switch is solely there for the D.I. in case you have grounding issues.

•  OUTPUT - Controls overall volume output
• GAIN - Controls the amount of gain
• TREBLE - Controls the high end
• CLIPPING - Allows for 6 additional clipping diode options operated by the “Clipping” foot switch
• CLIPPING SWITCH - Engages your selected clipping diode. When off it defaults to the stock diode
• ON/OFF - Turns the pedal on or off
• GROUND SWITCH - Ground lift for D.I.
• D.I. OUTPUT & SPKR SIM - Provides a direct output with speaker simulation for monitoring or recording
  
  

IMPORTANT!!

These are “clipping” diodes so in order to hear the difference the pedal has to be clipping or overdriving. You will not hear a difference if you do not have the gain up. If you crank the gain that is where you will hear the biggest difference. Keep in mind that most K style users set the gain low so the clipping diodes will have a subtle influence. There is certainly a difference but be prepared for it to be very subtle.

PLEASE BE AWARE 

If you rotate the Diode selector knob you will hear slight pops. It is best to disengage via the foot switch before rotating.

DEFAULT DIODES ARE

OA10’S (Our Favorite). This means that when the clipping foot switch is not engaged these are the diodes you will hear. Once you engage the clipping foot switch you will hear whichever set of diodes you have selected on the clipping dial.

There is a subtle difference between all of the clipping diodes but they are arranged from the lowest forward voltage to highest forward voltage. This means between the OA10 diodes vs the Red LEDs there will be the biggest volume jump.
 
As of production today these are the diodes we have selected, however, since all but the LED’s are NOS germanium diodes, availability can and will most likely change in the future. For now we have a healthy supply.

Please experiment and remember you only hear clipping diodes when they are clipping so experiment with the gain.