The J. Rockett Archer Select is an evolution of what has been an extraordinarily popular line for the Nashville-based pedal builder. Constantly in the top three of our article about the best Klon clones, the original Archer (in its two gold and silver iterations) is in all likelihood the best-selling J. Rocket pedal ever, and the Select version aims at taking the line to the next level by providing a range of tonal and clipping options within the same stompbox.
Since its appearance on the pedal scene in 1994, the Klon Centaur has inspired many replicas and variants, with builders big and small trying their darn best to improve on its deceptively simple circuit by experimenting mostly with alternative diodes. J. Rockett was part of this process too and released a series of Archer pedals (like the iKon and the Jeff Mod Archer) whose diodes are included in this new Select version, together, of course, with the ones employed in the original Archer and four more new ones, for a total of 7 total voices utilizing 6 different diodes, five new old stock Germanium ones, and an LED option for maximum clean boost.
The 7th voice is the stock one of the original Archer, which is active when the Clipping footswitch is off and utilizes the same OA10 Germanium diodes found in the original Archer. So in essence the Clipping footswitch activates the alternate clipping diodes, as selected by the Clipping rotary knob, where the voices are organized clockwise from the lowest to the highest output.
The three classic knobs of the Klon Centaur (Output, Treble and Gain) allow for tone and gain adjustments, while a useful DI Out with Cab Sim lets you connect the Archer Select directly to any monitoring or recording rig. A toggle in the middle of the case lets you lift the ground for the DI output.
Check out the videos of the J. Rockett Archer Select and, if you want to support our channel, please buy it from Sweetwater. We added it to our article about the best Klon Centaur clones and variants.
J. Rockett Archer Select, Builder’s Notes
The Archer Select is truly the most versatile K style overdrive yet. Featuring the ability to switch between 7 diodes ranging from lowest to highest output using the clipping knob and left footswitch players can create endless combinations of K style tone from boosts to stacked drives and beyond.
Featuring the diodes of the Archer, iKon, Jeff Mod Archer and 4 additional diodes including LED the Archer Select will provide endless tonal combinations
In addition to the overdrive section, a D.I. Speaker Simulator based on a British 4X12 cabinet is built in to monitor the OD sound via direct or have the option for direct recordings. The ground switch is added only for this section for a silent setup.
Specs and Features
CONTROLS
- Output: Controls overall volume output
- Gain: Controls the amount of gain
- DI Output and Speaker Simulation: Provides a direct output with speaker simulation for monitoring or recording
- Clipping Switch: Engages your selected clipping diode. When off it defaults to the stock diode
- Treble: Controls the high end
- Ground Switch: Ground lift for D.I.
- Clipping Switch: Allows for 6 additional clipping diode options operated by the “Clipping” foot switch
- Clipping Order: OA10 (Right footswitch default), 1N270, 1N695, 1N34A, D9B, D9E, Red LED
SPECS
- 4.25? x 2.75 x 1.25?
- 9 volt Negative tip adapter and a 5.5mm x 2.1mm jack.
- 28mV Current Draw
