J. Rockett Audio Designs Archer Select Boost/Overdrive Pedal
Just when you thought it was safe to go back online! Here comes another debate. Does the world really need another K-Drive? You might wanna stay tuned. We think the brand-new Archer Select is worth some serious consideration.
By now, few guitarists left on Earth haven’t been exposed to the ‘one transparent overdrive to rule them all’. The mania really started when Bill Finnegan stopped manufacturing his ‘professional overdrive’ in 2009. Guitar forums tossed accelerant on the fire of interest, sparking an inferno of curiosity, and demand. Since then, prices for an original have shot up to big ugly sums, eclipsing prices once reserved for the most desired holy grail vintage pedals.
Every guitarist wants a piece of the unique and mysterious epoxy-covered circuit (with ‘otherworldly’ reverse-engineered diodes), but not everyone is ready to “horsey up” 5k or even more. Insatiable, unrelenting demand for the new style of Overdrive pedal, created an industry of “Klone pedals”. Debate raged over what Klone best captures the illusive more-but nothing more tone.
Of the first universally acclaimed ‘Klone’ pedals (like the Aluminum Falcon, JHS Klon Klone, and J. Rocket Archer), only the J. Rocket line of Klone pedals remain in production and on the top of each year’s hot list. Additionally, J. Rocket is the only company to have had a working affiliation with the man who created the original ‘one transparent Overdrive to rule them all, Bill Finnegan.
With the addition of the J. Rocket Ikon, and “J.B mod” Klones, a lot of ground is covered. What does the Archer Select offer, that we don't already have?.
7 good reasons to take a closer look at the Archer Select.
The new Archer Select chimes in at $329.99 street price. Ok… that's over $100 more than the Ikon and Archer. Why pay more? Because the Archer Select is more. Inside the familiar Gold enclosure with deep red control knobs, there are seven sets of independently accessible diodes. An additional stomp switch and selector knob allow the user to toggle back and forth between the default setting and the choice of six other diodes. This is a great feature for guitarists who are kinda picky about how much drive and tonal coloring they want in their signal path. BTW, If you are after the Klon sound, you ARE kinda picky about your choice of drive-as it should be.
