Governator

Project overview

The Guv’nor was the first pedal ever released by Marshall to emulate their amplifiers’ tone, beginning the era of the Amp in a box pedals we still seeing today.

Introduction

The Marshall Gov‘nor ™ started the ‚amp in a box era when it was first released in 1988, and there are rumors that the guitar player who tested the prototype said „that pedal is just the guv’nor, “ so that could explain the name.

1991 Guv‘nor was replaced by the Drivemaster that’s basically the same pedal.

1998 V2 in the shiny mirror-like enclosure was released and is out till today.

So what makes this pedal special? It was one of the first pedals to used LEDs in a hard-clipping configuration that leads to less compression and a higher threshold. Plus it has a 3 band EQ that helps with its overall more amp-like behavior. We added a clipping option via a toggle switch. For a more open sound with minor tonal changes, I suggest blue LEDs and germanium diodes for more drastic results. – but you not up to make this fuzz like, are you? If using any other diodes, just put the anode in the square pad. You could also use an on/off/on toggle to lift the diodes for more volume and less drive and compression.

Controls

Potentiometers 

• Volume
• Gain
• Bass
• Treble
• Mids

Switches

• Diode Switch

For further analysis on this circuit take a look at this thread on Free Stomp Boxes Forum.

For any technical questions regarding this build don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our forum at Free Stomp Boxes.

Governator 1.1v – Building Docs

Governator- Building Docs

Governator – Drilling Templates