Resurrected with the same sacred components of NOS silicon transistors and germanium diodes, preserving its authentic tone and bite: The legendary Octaurus octave-fuzz reappears, courtesy of Jam Pedals.
Revamped Take:
Yeah, bud, Jam Pedals ain't messin' around with their latest offering - the Octaurus, a freakin' sweet octave fuzz pedal that's back in two flavors.
First up, for the collectors, there's the NOS, or New Old Stock, bad boy. This sucker's got the exact same parts as the original, long-sold-out limited edition Octaurus, clad in a sleek black casing. But no worries, you won't find it wrapped up in a snazzy suede jacket like the '23 LTD model. I mean, you can't have everything, right?
Created with a nod to the golden era of vintage units, this baby's not modeled after any specific one-of-a-kind piece. Instead, Jam Pedals took inspiration from their favorite classics, aiming to mash 'em all together in one unstoppable badass pedal.
"Our motto was to figure out a way to bring them all together in a single standalone device," the company reportedly said in '23. Damn straight, they did.
Now, the NOS components fetch a pretty penny, of course, but if you ain't picky about your premium parts, Jam's got you covered with the Standard version. Green and queen, this sucker performs nearly as well as its fancy NOS counterpart. It's the perfect way to convince octave-fuzz fence-sitters to snap up this baby for their pedalboard.
These bad boys are sneakily versatile. Thanks to Jam's commitment to both NOS and Standard iterations, you're guaranteed to get a clear and defined octave effect without sacrificing the clarity of your electric guitar tone, a quality that sometimes gets lost in fuzz boxes.
Crankin' these knobs is a cinch. Just adjust the Level, Tone, and Gain, and toggle between asymmetric and symmetric clipping, plus two voicings - one full-range, the other mid-scooped. Jam suggests jumpin' in headfirst if you're new to the scene. Give the gain and tone knobs a ride at max ferocity; you'll find the Octaurus shines at these settings.
The symmetrical clipping produces a tighter, more precise sound, while the asymmetric edition offers a more dynamic, open-up feel. Give those voicing switches a whirl to help you find a sweet spot in the mix, with the full-range mode particularly assertive when you're jammin' along with some back-up.
Turn down your electric guitar's volume, and you'll get a quasi-ring mod tone as the octave kicks in and the gain drops. Jam promises the octave effect stays clear no matter which pickup you're on.
The Octaurus NOS is available now in limited quantities, priced at £289/$339. The Standard is priced at £219/$259 but'll run just as smooth when powered by batteries or a pedalboard power supply. Head over to Jam Pedals for more deets.
The Octaurus, a revamped octave fuzz pedal, is not only a gadget that employs advanced technology but also serves as an entertainer, providing a unique platform for music exploration. With the versatility to offer two voicings - symmetric and asymmetric clipping, as well as two different versions, the NOS and Standard, it caters to both music enthusiasts with a penchant for vintage gear and budget-conscious beginners.
