Tycobrahe Octavia Clone Pedal

[duhvoodooman]

Here's a quick DIY pedal project I knocked out in a couple of days. It's a slightly modernized version fo the classic Tycobrahe Octavia octave-fuzz pedal made famous by Hendrix. I'd been wanting to make one of these for a while, and finally put a bill of materials together a month or so back and ordered the parts. I didn't buy a full kit, though both BYOC and General Guitar Gadgets (GGG) offer them, because I already had a spare prepainted & predrilled enclosure that I wanted to use. But if anybody wants to build one of these, I'd recommend the GGG kit (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=136&category_id=7&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45). At only $58 + shipping, it would be tough to make it cheaper even by sourcing all your own parts. If I hadn't already had the enclosure, I definitely would have gone this way.

I used the GGG circuit board ($13), which is a very nice double-sided, silkscreened board. It's small, too, so it's easy to fit in a standard 125B enclosure with plenty of room to spare. The build is quite an easy one; relatively few parts to solder on the board. Though it's mostly the usual array of resistors, caps, diodes and transistors, this effect includes one rather unusual component--a small audio transformer mounted on the PCB. The pedal is designed for true bypass, and it also contains a feature not found in the original Octavia--a "pre-gain" control that lets you dial down the fuzz so that the octave effect comes through more clearly. I installed one optional feature--an SPST toggle switch that lets you cut out the octave effect and run the pedal as just a fuzz. The switch connection points are already provided on the board.

As I said, it was a quick build, with most of the time going into wiring the pots, jacks and switches into the PCB. At this point, the pedal is fully assembled and in 100% working condition, but I haven't done the labeling layout yet for the full-face decal. Here are a couple of photos of the pedal as it stands; I'll be using slightly smaller knobs for the final version. Also, there a "quick & dirty" demo clip attached just to show the basic octave/fuzz sound. After a few clean notes with my Strat through the Blues Junior, the effect kicks in. Forgive the quality; it was thrown together quickly and once again, I forgot to turn on my noise suppressor pedal to knock down the hum in my pedal chain. My CRS disease acting up again! ;)

BTW, like the Fuzz Face pedals, this effect sounds very different depending upon whether it's placed before or after any pedals with a high impedance input buffer. I recommend leaving it at the front of your pedal chain, in front of any buffered effects. YMMV....


http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744810c85748947.jpg http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/744810c85784a19.jpg

[SuperSwede]

Sounds good DVM...

Btw, here is Tycho Brahe himself.. you can read more about him on wikipedia.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/Tycho_Brahe.JPG

[Spudman]

Ooh la la! Me want. How's she sound?

[duhvoodooman]

Didn't you check out the clip attached at the bottom of my post, or are you looking for something more, Spuds?

[Spudman]

I checked it..after I posted.:thwap: duh I guess I do it too.

[Algonquin]

Looks and sounds great DVM! :AOK:

Every post of yours regarding a build/mod/upgrade shows a great level of craftsmanship and pride in your work. I am always impressed with what you produce. Your skill are remarkable to say the least.

Thanks for posting another cool project.

David

[Tone2TheBone]

I'm still waiting for 100% output clip. I want to build one BAD. I'm wondering if it would indeed yield that crazy all out ocillating grind that I've heard on other demos but in real life. That is the kind of fuzz sound I want. My Fuzz Face is close but I really think I'm after the Octavia sound. 100% buddy sock it to me!

[duhvoodooman]

I'm still waiting for 100% output clip. I want to build one BAD. I'm wondering if it would indeed yield that crazy all out ocillating grind that I've heard on other demos but in real life. That is the kind of fuzz sound I want. My Fuzz Face is close but I really think I'm after the Octavia sound. 100% buddy sock it to me!
Patience, young padawan! All shall be revealed in due time. ("Due time" being when I get off my *** and do some more recording--probably not until the weekend.)

Then again, patience isn't exactly your long suit, is it, Tone? ;) :D

[Tone2TheBone]

Patience, young padawan! All shall be revealed in due time. ("Due time" being when I get off my *** and do some more recording--probably not until the weekend.)

Then again, patience isn't exactly your long suit, is it, Tone? ;) :D

You got that right so hurry it up! ;)

Btw I was just looking at the GGG kits for the unit and I guess I have to get a mini toggle switch right? Do I get that from them or do I have to get it from Slow Bear?

[duhvoodooman]

Btw I was just looking at the GGG kits for the unit and I guess I have to get a mini toggle switch right? Do I get that from them or do I have to get it from Slow Bear?
You'll need an SPST toggle if you want to be able to turn off the octave effect and run it as a straight fuzz. GGG doesn't sell them. But I wouldn't go to Small Bear--almost any Radio Shack carries them. Look for THIS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062497&cp=&sr=1&origkw=spst+toggle+switch&kw=spst+toggle+switch&parentPage=search) sub-mini toggle. $3 is a lot for a cheap little switch, but it's better than paying $1.50 and another $5 to have it shipped to you!

[Tone2TheBone]

You'll need an SPST toggle if you want to be able to turn off the octave effect and run it as a straight fuzz. GGG doesn't sell them. But I wouldn't go to Small Bear--almost any Radio Shack carries them. Look for THIS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062497&cp=&sr=1&origkw=spst+toggle+switch&kw=spst+toggle+switch&parentPage=search) sub-mini toggle. $3 is a lot for a cheap little switch, but it's better than paying $1.50 and another $5 to have it shipped to you!

And as you said the switch location is identified on the GGG pcb so...
I won't order the kit this week but I probably will next week. Thanks for your help as always DVMski. :dude:

[duhvoodooman]

Here's a link to a clip of the Octavia with the controls dialed up. Recorded using the neck pickup on my Epi '56 Goldtop through the Valve Jr. combo into my 1x12 cab (WGS Veteran 30 speaker). First a little clean, then the Octavia at 90% of full range on both the Intensity and Pregain controls & octave effect on, and lastly at same settings, but the octave turned off. Note how, relative to the lower gain clip I posted previously, that the more intense fuzz effect makes the octave-doubling less noticeable. Adds lots of sustain, though....


Octavia clone pedal at 90% Pregain & Intensity (http://www.box.net/shared/rg8z1c5c0o)

[Tone2TheBone]

Imagine that setting on that amp with the wife and kids gone......

....in my house cranked loud! :D ;)

Great clip Voo!!

[duhvoodooman]

Finally getting around to finishing up this pedal with labeling/graphics. Here's my MS Paint mock-up. I'll post a photo of the finished pedal & we'll see how close to this I get! :D

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/7448244f6281c6b.gif

[Robert]

How much would it cost to get one from ya?

[duhvoodooman]

Well, I'm not looking to go into "production mode", but I'd be willing to sell a couple. Normally, I'd charge about $125 for one of these, but for FretNet "regulars", I'll go $100 even. Shipping extra, of course. PM if interested....

EDIT: Or you can always go with one of THESE (http://www.chicagoiron.com/octavian_body.htm). I hear they sound very good, and they're certainly snazzier looking than my clone. And they come in a redwood box, which mine lacks. Essentially identical circuit, though, minus the octave on/off switch that I include. Their cheap version is only $290. :eek: :D

[duhvoodooman]

All done! The photo makes it look bluer than it is in real life--it's really more of a jade green. The decal came out pretty well, though:


http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/7448279322a1730.jpg

[Tone2TheBone]

Ooooo that's craaaaazeeeeey. What a cool pedal. I want one...soon.

[underdog]

wow that looks awesome!

I'm doing the same pedal, and have a question. I also don't need battery so how should I wire the dc jack?

[duhvoodooman]

I'm doing the same pedal, and have a question. I also don't need battery so how should I wire the dc jack?
Just leave out the battery adapter, and wire in the DC jack per the layout diagram on the GGG site:

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_toct_lo.pdf

BTW, if you're using the GGG board for your build, the orientation for the Q1 transistor as shown on the layout and silkscreened on the PCB itself is backwards. The flat face of the transistor should face away from the other two transistors, not toward them. Though the pedal works either way, you'll get a stronger, smoother fuzz and better octave effect when Q1 is properly oriented....

[Iago]

Sounds exactly the same as the Danelectro French Toast :D

[underdog]

Just leave out the battery adapter, and wire in the DC jack per the layout diagram on the GGG site:

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_toct_lo.pdf

BTW, if you're using the GGG board for your build, the orientation for the Q1 transistor as shown on the layout and silkscreened on the PCB itself is backwards. The flat face of the transistor should face away from the other two transistors, not toward them. Though the pedal works either way, you'll get a stronger, smoother fuzz and better octave effect when Q1 is properly oriented....

oh, thanks for the info