Memphis Bi Octave

Pandafist · #1 07-13-2010, 06:00 PM

Does any one else own one of these?

It's a "clone" of the MXR Blue Box, but its another kind of beast altogether. I suppose they are similar, but different enough that there's no way it's a straight clone.

What does it sound like?
Think ATARI DOOM.

I came upon mine in a trade, but I've never seen another, and I can't find much online.
Anyway, if you see one of these, I recommend hitting with vengeance.

Fishyfan · #2 07-13-2010, 06:07 PM

Blue Box clone but not?! WANT WANT WANT

Pandafist · #3 07-13-2010, 06:21 PM

It's way gnarlier than the Blue Box. Fuzzier, heavier, ier-ier.
Not sure how to best describe it... other than it rules.

I really want to add true bypass and a jack for power so I can run it off a one spot, but other than that this thing is perfect.
HIGHLY recommended.

Yakob · #4 07-13-2010, 06:37 PM

I had an opportunity to buy a box like this earlier, but passed (because of money issues)...

Here's some info at Loco Box Effects.

Pandafist · #5 07-13-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakob

I had an opportunity to buy a box like this earlier, but passed (because of money issues)...

Here's some info at Loco Box Effects.

Thanks for the link

However... I'm not seeing the Bi Octave amongst the bunch there. Could it be this pedal is even rare among the Memphis line?

bassbrad · #6 07-13-2010, 08:28 PM

That is a nifty piece of effects history, probably not worth a lot but still important. Memphis was an import brand carried by C. Bruno and Harris Teller one stops and were common in smaller mom & pop music shops that could not afford to carry more desirable brands or didn't have exclusive dealerships. Back then many manufacturers had exclusive dealerships so you could only find certain brands in shops that had made those arrangements. There were minimum annual buys with some brands that were out of range for many smaller shops. Effects were also accessory items often tied up with other distribution deals and you had to carry Brands A, B & C to get X, Y or Z.
There were other brands available & sometimes a particular music store would have their own house brand. I have a few pedals from Memphis, Alamo, Tiesco, L D Heater and a couple of others that are all unique.

Pandafist · #7 07-14-2010, 12:20 PM

That's interesting. I knew that about amps, but never really thought about how pedals would have been sold/distributed similarly.

If I get around to it, I'll post clips for yaz.
Don't hold your breath though.
In addition to having a lot going on right now... I'm lazy.
Lol.

bassbrad · #8 07-14-2010, 12:28 PM

People get so caught up in the "it's new it's better" consumerism that they forget about all the cool old stuff out there, especially effects:Systech, Maestro, Guild, Fender, Gibson, Heil........

Pandafist · #9 07-14-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrad

People get so caught up in the "it's new it's better" consumerism that they forget about all the cool old stuff out there, especially effects:Systech, Maestro, Guild, Fender, Gibson, Heil........

I don't really know the people you're talking about. My friends are all obsessed with vintage gear (with a couple of exceptions), like me.
LOVE the vintage Maestro, Mutron, EHX aesthetic.
And I like my bass rigs MASSIVE.
It seems to me that new, lightweight, techy bass gear mostly appeals to the kind of geezers that complain about back pain and pedal board "real estate."

I'm... not one of those people

faceinbass · #10 10-18-2010, 12:51 PM

I just scored one of these...

Its supposed to be an recreate of a RAT into a Blue Box.

We should compare them sometime.

WestOfBen · #11 10-18-2010, 07:01 PM

I had an 80s Loco Box Stereo Chorus. It was a sweet sounding thing until it stopped acting like a chorus and instead just wobbled the pitch.

How rare are all of these things?

I also had an MXR Blue Box but couldn't find the right place for it in my band and sound. Fun pedal though, glitchy Atari is right.