oc44_elektrika_new_2023.jpg
oc44_elektrika_new_2023_top.jpg
oc44_elektrika_new_2023_low_angle.jpg
oc44_elektrika_new_2023.jpg
oc44_elektrika_new_2023_top.jpg
oc44_elektrika_new_2023_low_angle.jpg

OC44 Elektrika

$289.00 $319.00
sale
Our “OC44 Edition Elektrika” is an absolute gem of a fuzz machine. Using 60’s vintage Valvo/Phillips black glass OC44 germanium transistors, this pedal brings the thunderous sound of the original MK1 Tonebender to another level. With increased output volume you won’t fight to get your fuzz level to sit right. The “Gate” control allows you to dial in exactly the right amount of sustain or “sticky fuzz” gating. Use the passive tone control to tame upper harmonics on brighter modern amps, trim the bass response with the MK1/Zonk switch – all practical, useful additions to this classic fuzz.
We have a small supply of OC44 & OC43 in the shop again, and will make a small batch of these "OC44 Elektrika" - transistors are black glass Valvo OC43 & OC44 vintage germanium.
We get a lot of questions about how the OC44 or OC45 version is different from the OC75 version, the standard Elektrika, etc. Here are a few points:
OC75 are the most expensive transistors, hence the higher price. They were used in original Tone Benders, and demand the most attention when pedals are built with them! The gains tend to fall into that sweet spot, not too low, not too high, and they have a sweet and mean character when driven into fuzz sounds. HOWEVER
OC42, OC44, and OC45 ALSO fit the bill! These transistors were, until recently, available at a better price… but the word got out – they sound EXCELLENT in a fuzz box! OC44 can be a tad high gain, but by selecting the right ones, you get a killer fuzz right up there with the OC75’s. Is there a difference in sound? Yes… it’s in the realm of the subjective – OC44 sounds to my ears a bit more “gutsy” or “rude” than the OC75. This might translate into “more lower mids”, or “distorts sooner as you turn up the gain”.
OC42 – which we have only a few more transistors for now – has an amazing “clean up” with the guitar’s volume knob. Right up there with a fuzzface, no kidding. I don’t know exactly which parameter of the transistor causes this, let’s call it “magic sparkles”. Why not. They’re just great for that. They fuzz well, but have an almost “overdrive” character.
OC45 – These tend to be lower gain transistors, and I now like to blend OC45 and OC44 to get a fuller fuzz tone, but OC45 is perfectly fuzzy when maxed out, but has a lot more in-between… distortion/overdrive style sounds, and excellent cleanup, like the OC42, albeit a bit warmer, fluffier, less “clear and sparkly” like the OC42.
So there you go – that’s transistor cork-sniffing at it’s best. Prices of these pedals reflect the cost of transistors, not that you “pay more for a better sound”, which is nonsense. The Standard Elektrika is literally a steal at the moment – I got a killer price on a large batch of great transistors (80’s vintage) that make a killer fuzz, albeit a tad more “hi-fi” sounding than the OC series transistors. Turn that built in tone control down a bit and you get right into that warmer “vintage” tone area. Can’t beat it for a budget pedal, for road work, or a spare to lend a friend when dueling fuzzes!
cheers
joe
Quantity:
Add To Cart
Our “OC44 Edition Elektrika” is an absolute gem of a fuzz machine. Using 60’s vintage Valvo/Phillips black glass OC44 germanium transistors, this pedal brings the thunderous sound of the original MK1 Tonebender to another level. With increased output volume you won’t fight to get your fuzz level to sit right. The “Gate” control allows you to dial in exactly the right amount of sustain or “sticky fuzz” gating. Use the passive tone control to tame upper harmonics on brighter modern amps, trim the bass response with the MK1/Zonk switch – all practical, useful additions to this classic fuzz.
We have a small supply of OC44 & OC43 in the shop again, and will make a small batch of these "OC44 Elektrika" - transistors are black glass Valvo OC43 & OC44 vintage germanium.
We get a lot of questions about how the OC44 or OC45 version is different from the OC75 version, the standard Elektrika, etc. Here are a few points:
OC75 are the most expensive transistors, hence the higher price. They were used in original Tone Benders, and demand the most attention when pedals are built with them! The gains tend to fall into that sweet spot, not too low, not too high, and they have a sweet and mean character when driven into fuzz sounds. HOWEVER
OC42, OC44, and OC45 ALSO fit the bill! These transistors were, until recently, available at a better price… but the word got out – they sound EXCELLENT in a fuzz box! OC44 can be a tad high gain, but by selecting the right ones, you get a killer fuzz right up there with the OC75’s. Is there a difference in sound? Yes… it’s in the realm of the subjective – OC44 sounds to my ears a bit more “gutsy” or “rude” than the OC75. This might translate into “more lower mids”, or “distorts sooner as you turn up the gain”.
OC42 – which we have only a few more transistors for now – has an amazing “clean up” with the guitar’s volume knob. Right up there with a fuzzface, no kidding. I don’t know exactly which parameter of the transistor causes this, let’s call it “magic sparkles”. Why not. They’re just great for that. They fuzz well, but have an almost “overdrive” character.
OC45 – These tend to be lower gain transistors, and I now like to blend OC45 and OC44 to get a fuller fuzz tone, but OC45 is perfectly fuzzy when maxed out, but has a lot more in-between… distortion/overdrive style sounds, and excellent cleanup, like the OC42, albeit a bit warmer, fluffier, less “clear and sparkly” like the OC42.
So there you go – that’s transistor cork-sniffing at it’s best. Prices of these pedals reflect the cost of transistors, not that you “pay more for a better sound”, which is nonsense. The Standard Elektrika is literally a steal at the moment – I got a killer price on a large batch of great transistors (80’s vintage) that make a killer fuzz, albeit a tad more “hi-fi” sounding than the OC series transistors. Turn that built in tone control down a bit and you get right into that warmer “vintage” tone area. Can’t beat it for a budget pedal, for road work, or a spare to lend a friend when dueling fuzzes!
cheers
joe
Our “OC44 Edition Elektrika” is an absolute gem of a fuzz machine. Using 60’s vintage Valvo/Phillips black glass OC44 germanium transistors, this pedal brings the thunderous sound of the original MK1 Tonebender to another level. With increased output volume you won’t fight to get your fuzz level to sit right. The “Gate” control allows you to dial in exactly the right amount of sustain or “sticky fuzz” gating. Use the passive tone control to tame upper harmonics on brighter modern amps, trim the bass response with the MK1/Zonk switch – all practical, useful additions to this classic fuzz.
We have a small supply of OC44 & OC43 in the shop again, and will make a small batch of these "OC44 Elektrika" - transistors are black glass Valvo OC43 & OC44 vintage germanium.
We get a lot of questions about how the OC44 or OC45 version is different from the OC75 version, the standard Elektrika, etc. Here are a few points:
OC75 are the most expensive transistors, hence the higher price. They were used in original Tone Benders, and demand the most attention when pedals are built with them! The gains tend to fall into that sweet spot, not too low, not too high, and they have a sweet and mean character when driven into fuzz sounds. HOWEVER
OC42, OC44, and OC45 ALSO fit the bill! These transistors were, until recently, available at a better price… but the word got out – they sound EXCELLENT in a fuzz box! OC44 can be a tad high gain, but by selecting the right ones, you get a killer fuzz right up there with the OC75’s. Is there a difference in sound? Yes… it’s in the realm of the subjective – OC44 sounds to my ears a bit more “gutsy” or “rude” than the OC75. This might translate into “more lower mids”, or “distorts sooner as you turn up the gain”.
OC42 – which we have only a few more transistors for now – has an amazing “clean up” with the guitar’s volume knob. Right up there with a fuzzface, no kidding. I don’t know exactly which parameter of the transistor causes this, let’s call it “magic sparkles”. Why not. They’re just great for that. They fuzz well, but have an almost “overdrive” character.
OC45 – These tend to be lower gain transistors, and I now like to blend OC45 and OC44 to get a fuller fuzz tone, but OC45 is perfectly fuzzy when maxed out, but has a lot more in-between… distortion/overdrive style sounds, and excellent cleanup, like the OC42, albeit a bit warmer, fluffier, less “clear and sparkly” like the OC42.
So there you go – that’s transistor cork-sniffing at it’s best. Prices of these pedals reflect the cost of transistors, not that you “pay more for a better sound”, which is nonsense. The Standard Elektrika is literally a steal at the moment – I got a killer price on a large batch of great transistors (80’s vintage) that make a killer fuzz, albeit a tad more “hi-fi” sounding than the OC series transistors. Turn that built in tone control down a bit and you get right into that warmer “vintage” tone area. Can’t beat it for a budget pedal, for road work, or a spare to lend a friend when dueling fuzzes!
cheers
joe