Roger Mayer Purple Haze Octavia 1968 Fuzz

The Legendary Design That Changed Guitar History

The Purple Haze 1968 Octavia is the modern evolution of one of the most iconic guitar effects ever created. Originally designed in early 1967 by Roger Mayer and introduced to Jimi Hendrix just weeks later, the Octavia became the unmistakable voice behind “Purple Haze,” “Fire,” “Little Wing,” “Machine Gun,” and many other legendary recordings.

Housed in the original 1967 wedge-shaped enclosure, this 1968 specification model captures the sonic character of the Octavia used during the Band of Gypsys era while incorporating key refinements for today’s stage and studio environments.

The Octavia produces a note one octave above what you are playing through analogue frequency doubling and wave-shaping circuitry. The result is a harmonically rich, touch-sensitive effect that reacts directly to your picking dynamics and guitar controls. Depending on how it is driven, it can range from vocal, ring-modulated overtones to soaring upper-octave lead tones.

Placing a fuzz in front of the Octavia produces the unmistakable stacked octave sound heard on Purple Haze. Rolling back your guitar’s tone control and selecting the neck pickup yields smoother, more controllable harmonic textures. The effect truly comes alive on the upper strings from the 7th fret and above, rewarding precise fretting and clean picking technique.

1968 “Band of Gypsys” Specification

This 1968 model features the same core circuit and in-house custom wound wide bandwidth ferrite transformer as the original evolution design. The ferrite transformer provides increased transparency, wider frequency response, and superior shielding compared to conventional commercial transformer designs.

Unlike the Limited Signed Edition, the 1968 version incorporates a low impedance output buffer optimized for pedalboard and live performance operation, similar to the stage versions used during the Band of Gypsys concerts.

Designed without compromise, the Purple Haze 1968 Octavia blends historic accuracy with modern reliability and engineering precision.

The Purple Haze 1968 Octavia is not simply a reissue. It is the continued evolution of the original invention, refined by its creator while preserving the sonic DNA that helped redefine electric guitar tone.

Roger Mayer Purple Haze 1968 Octavia Features

• Authentic evolution of the original 1967 Octavia design

• Classic wedge-shaped enclosure

• Custom wound wide bandwidth ferrite transformer (in-house)

• Low impedance buffered output stage for optimized pedalboard operation

• Analogue frequency doubling octave circuit

• 6-layer printed circuit board with dual power planes

• Triple shielding architecture for reduced interference

• Genuine USA Carling footswitch

• Conductive plastic low-noise potentiometers

• Selected and dynamically matched signal diodes

• Gold plated Cliff jack connectors

• True bypass or solid wire bypass configuration

• Red LED status indicator

• Increased headroom and octave control at higher voltages

• Advanced 3-stage power filtering for virtual battery-style performance

• Reverse polarity diode protection

• Power: 9–24V DC

• Current Draw: 100mA

• Dimensions: 7.09" x 3.74" x 3.15"