Octavius

Project overview

Inspired by one of Tycobrahe’s most famous and distinctive designs. Frequently used by Jimy Hendrix, this pedal produces a fuzz sound that is one octave higher than the note you are currently playing, delivering unique tones in the process.

Introduction

This classic circuit originated in early 1967, is an analog board with the properties of a frequency doubler, envelope generator, and amplitude modulator with additional frequency shaping filter circuits. Its features can be recognized in many of Jimi Hendrix’s recordings, just as “Purple Haze,” “Fire,” “One Rainy Wish,” “Little Miss Lover,” “Little Wing,” “Machine Gun,” and several others.

The pedal produces a clean fuzz that will allow the octave sound to go through, and when you put some chord on it, you can hear that great ring modulation sound happening.

We also added an “octave lift” switch so you can use it without the octave overtones for added flexibility. If you prefer to keep it loyal to the original, just wire a jumper between pads 1 and 2 of the switch silkscreen.

This easy-to-build board will allow you to have one of the most collectible vintage pedals out there.

Controls

• Fuzz
• Volume

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.

Octavius – Building Docs

Octavius – Drilling template