Micro Pog for octave-up, Hendrix style?

K2000 · #1 03-26-2008, 03:34 AM

I'm looking to add an octave-up sound, blended with my regular tone.

There are several Octave Fuzz pedals that seem interesting, but I'm pretty happy with the fuzz I already have. Also, I want the octave-up sound to be less subtle than what you get with the typical octave fuzz (if you can adjust the octave levels, that would be ideal). And many octave fuzz only reveal the octave effect, when you play high up on the neck. I'd like the octave to be present all over the fretboard, for the most part. So now I'm thinking about finding a non-fuzz, adjustable octave-up.

Would the Micro Pog be a good bet, for getting some Hendrixy type octave fuzz (running into my fuzz)?

I use a fair amount of bends, slurs, slides, hammer-ons etc. Would the POG handle that, without any glitches?

Finally, I have a problem with pedals that sound "synthy". That's not what I'm aiming for... I'm trying to get a 60s - 70s vibe. If a pedal sounds artificial or ultra-modern, I can't use it.

The Zvex Jonny Octave seemed like a possibility, but that's a 329 dollar pedal. I don't think I can spend that kind of money on a "tone quest". If I was absolutely certain that pedal was exactly what I wanted, it would still be a lot of money. I dunno.

If you have other suggestions, let me know. I'm not ruling out octave fuzzes, but it has to have a strong octave sound, and I think I want to leave my regular fuzz on all the time, so it has to work very well running into an additional fuzz. Octave fuzz that might not play nice with other pedals, are ruled out.

Again, think 60's -70's or Hendrix vibe, but maybe with the ability to have the octave sound even more up-front, if I want.

TaySte_2000 · #2 03-26-2008, 03:58 AM

The Mpog is clean on the octave up

Your other options include

Foxrox Octron - I like this because you can have your clean signal in there as well getting a blended fuzz sound which loses no bottom end but the fuzz on it's own is quite weak.

Mojohand Mystick - Pretty cool, not tried one but the clips sound good also has a switch to turn the octave up off.

Catalinbread Octava Magus - Cool, small and has a purple led again not tried it but I've heard some pretty good sound clips (Search the forum)

Danelectro French Toast - Loses bottom and only really does crazy but it is a cheap option to look into.

Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Octave Fuzz - The Jimi Hendrix Classic Fuzz works well on bass so there is a chance this will as well.

Fender Blender - Better for those wall of sound moments I think it's pretty unusable without the boost on all the time.

Ampeg Scrambler - Similar to the Fender but without the boost circuit.

Sib Nick Nitro - I liked this but it is a bit iffy with active basses

Foxx Tone Machine - The danelectro is a really good clone of this so I'm going with crazy and loses bass

Hope this helps

K2000 · #3 03-26-2008, 04:01 AM

Thanks TaySte_2000

From your comments, the Micro POG and Octron seem possible. I have the French Toast and it's a bit wild, and the octave is a bit subdued, and not ever-present. The Fender Blender is also a bit too wild (noisy) for me. Think 60s hippie stoner type fuzz, that's where I'm trying to go.

Oh yeah, BTW when I talk about non-synthy tones, I realize that Octave Fuzz is a ring mod effect... I just need the Octave to sound more organic/retro and not so much digital/modern. Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but hopefully you catch my drift.

TaySte_2000 · #4 03-26-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2000

Thanks TaySte_2000

From your comments, the Micro POG and Octron seem possible. I have the French Toast and it's a bit wild, and the octave is a bit subdued, and not ever-present. The Fender Blender is also a bit too wild (noisy) for me. Think 60s hippie stoner type fuzz, that's where I'm trying to go.

Oh yeah, BTW when I talk about non-synthy tones, I realize that Octave Fuzz is a ring mod effect... I just need the Octave to sound more organic/retro and not so much digital/modern. Maybe I'm not explaining it correctly, but hopefully you catch my drift.

The Octron is the most organic to me, the Mpog will be too digital for you as will all the whammy's and similar.

If you don't want it to fuzz your whole signal get the octron if you do I'd get the Mojohand or Catalinbread and maybe an eq pedal afterwards to shape them a bit more. I say those 2 because I know they work well on bass.

I'm sure someone will offer up the B:assmaster or the Pe Depth Charge but neither have that strong octave up effect to me

K2000 · #5 03-26-2008, 04:39 AM

Another box I've been wondering about is the PE Clean Octave Blend (COB) but it's hard to find feedback about that one.

Max Roberts · #6 03-26-2008, 04:45 AM

I recommend the Octron. It has a couple of trim pots inside that allow you to change the tone of the Octave up which is a very cool feature.

I don't think the COB or the MPog would work because they're both clean, and hendrix uses a fuzzed octave up so I don't think they would really replicate it.

dubsymmetry · #7 03-26-2008, 05:03 AM

the micro pog is very synthy, digital sounding, as mentioned.

you could try the zvex jonny octave (1 and 2 octaves up using anlog ring modulation, if I remember right) into your fuzz. I don´t know about low end performance of the jonny though, I would love to hear this pedal on bass!

**grygrx** · #8 03-26-2008, 09:06 AM

For Octave Up the micro pog is way too synthy, I ditched it for that reason. I've had an Octron and it's Octave up performance and sound are pretty solid. Currently I'm playing with a Rastop Bass Super Divider for this purpose.

Loop Sample: A sample I knocked quick yesterday. The 'guitar' is the Rastop->RAM's Head.

I can probably get you a cleaner sample if you want.

Swimming Bird · #9 03-26-2008, 10:35 AM

How about an Armstrong Green Ringer clone?

From what I've heard of them, the ring mod/octave up is pretty well-heard throughout, though the added fuzz may not be exactly what you're looking for.

ehque · #10 03-27-2008, 10:44 AM

MPOG tracks impossibly well. I find that its only synthy on the higher registers, which you dont want anyway. Pushing it into a fuzz with the tone knob down should give you a very workable tone.

Mark Olson · #11 03-27-2008, 02:04 PM

That's a pretty tall order. I don't think anything digital will give you the vibe you're going for. I've tried it. But I also don't know if you're going to find something with the right vibe with as apparent an effect as you would like. You may have to make a compromise.