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OC-2 Holy Grail :)

M

mr80htz

May 15, 2018
800
692
#1
According to Janek Gwizdala, the Octaver OC-2 started production in April 1982. My first ever pedal was an OC-2 Octaver given to me by my dad at 12 years old. It's has a Feb. 1983 serial number.
For fun...and for for years... I have been checking around sites nerdily looking for the serial #'s on these Octavers and a few years ago I found, and bought, a May 1982 in prestine condition. Since then I have found 1 other. I chose to retire the one my dad gave me as it was giving me some trouble (still works, just doesn't sound as full anymore as I've been using it since I got it...a lot). May '82 codes start with 18.
ewchgykwxparxyblnoud.jpg

So, yesterday I found it!
A dude in Taiwan (a beautful place to backback/visit by the way) was selling one and I figured since my May '82 version was found in Tokyo that maybe Eastern Asian countries might have better access to older versions...I was right.
ualu23stjxitjvrqw5sd.jpg

qhqksxeojz0l8w5rze1z.jpg

For Boss pedal serial #'s starting with a letter, the last 4 digits refer to the amount made in that batch. I can't confirm that means the same thing for Boss pedal serials without a letter at the beginning but this might make sense seeing 0100 as in the first 100 made in the first month.
This post is nothing but 'look at me, look at me!!! But I don't care. So satisfying pumping my own tires :) After all, I have literally spent years looking for this pedal.
Now, how does Mr. Gwizdala know the production start date? No idea, but the ignorance I have regarding this doesn't phase me as it is the best info I have when understanding when the first production month could have been.
Cheers all you jealous Octaver lovers ;)
 
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#2
mr80htz said:
According to Janek Gwizdala, the Octaver OC-2 started production in April 1982. .....
Now, how does Mr. Gwizdala know the production start date? No idea, but the ignorance I have regarding this doesn't phase me as it is the best info I have when understanding when the first production month could have been.
Cheers all you jealous Octaver lovers ;)
Click to expand...
Congrats on your find.
Just in case this is not rhetorical.....
Janek, pro players and other influencers often have direct access to manufacturers through artist reps or other highly knowledgeable folk mere mortals can only imagine. Those connections can lead to all sorts of inside info, trivia as well as opportunities beyond imagining.
Agreed that the OC2 is indeed a cornerstone and important pedal but IMHO it has a bit overblown status and price considering the other just as worthy pedals that are often overlooked. I have an OC2 that was on my board that traveled the wide world with me, years before it became legendary by such players as Pino and Jerry Garcia . Before that I used an EHX Octave Multiplexer or MXR Blue Bos that I also still have.
 
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#3
I g
bassbrad said:
Congrats on your find.
Just in case this is not rhetorical.....
Janek, pro players and other influencers often have direct access to manufacturers through artist reps or other highly knowledgeable folk mere mortals can only imagine. Those connections can lead to all sorts of inside info, trivia as well as opportunities beyond imagining.
Agreed that the OC2 is indeed a cornerstone and important pedal but IMHO it has a bit overblown status and price considering the other just as worthy pedals that are often overlooked. I have an OC2 that was on my board that traveled the wide world with me, years before it became legendary by such players as Pino and Jerry Garcia . Before that I used an EHX Octave Multiplexer or MXR Blue Bos that I also still have.
Click to expand...
I get ya totally. To some, this pedal is totally overblown...like a mini version of the Klon's status. Don't care :) My tires are fully pumped and I love this pedal. I'm king of the world!!!
 
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#7
Rabidhamster said:
Cool congrats on the find!
If every bassist dumped their oc2 it would still be a sought after pedal.

Do you detect any differences or prefer one over the other two sound wise?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I have. The pristine May 82 one is a bit louder and fuller sounding than the Feb 83 I've used forever. That one is a bit thinner. Maybe it's beacuase one has been used a lot while the other looks like it's been hibernating in an attic somewhere. I havn't recieved the April 82 one yet.
 
#8
My MIJ OC-2 is nowhere near that old. But I’ll agree it’s the octave pedal to beat. Quirky and occasionally frustrating until you finally suss out the one you have since different units have small but real differences in tone and triggering. But once you do it’s hard to go with anything else. I’ve tried other octavers over the years including two other OC-2s. They were all good. But I keep coming back to this one particular OC-2. It really has its own special thing going for it.

Congratulations on finding one in such beautiful condition! :thumbsup:

IMG_9618.jpeg
 
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#9
40Hz said:
My MIJ OC-2 is nowhere near that old. But I’ll agree it’s the octave pedal to beat. Quirky and occasionally frustrating until you finally suss out the one you have since different units have small but real differences in tone and triggering. But once you do it’s hard to go with anything else. I’ve tried other octavers over the years including two other OC-2s. They were all good. But I keep coming back to this one particular OC-2. It really has its own special thing going for it.

Congratulations on finding one in such beautiful condition! :thumbsup:

View attachment 5223013
Click to expand...
Nice. Yeah, it's funny how they seem like a wild mustang when you first get it. You have to learn how to play with it.
 
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#10
mr80htz said:
According to Janek Gwizdala, the Octaver OC-2 started production in April 1982. My first ever pedal was an OC-2 Octaver given to me by my dad at 12 years old. It's has a Feb. 1983 serial number.
For fun...and for for years... I have been checking around sites nerdily looking for the serial #'s on these Octavers and a few years ago I found, and bought, a May 1982 in prestine condition. Since then I have found 1 other. I chose to retire the one my dad gave me as it was giving me some trouble (still works, just doesn't sound as full anymore as I've been using it since I got it...a lot). May '82 codes start with 18.
ewchgykwxparxyblnoud.jpg

So, yesterday I found it!
A dude in Taiwan (a beautful place to backback/visit by the way) was selling one and I figured since my May '82 version was found in Tokyo that maybe Eastern Asian countries might have better access to older versions...I was right.
ualu23stjxitjvrqw5sd.jpg

qhqksxeojz0l8w5rze1z.jpg

For Boss pedal serial #'s starting with a letter, the last 4 digits refer to the amount made in that batch. I can't confirm that means the same thing for Boss pedal serials without a letter at the beginning but this might make sense seeing 0100 as in the first 100 made in the first month.
This post is nothing but 'look at me, look at me!!! But I don't care. So satisfying pumping my own tires :) After all, I have literally spent years looking for this pedal.
Now, how does Mr. Gwizdala know the production start date? No idea, but the ignorance I have regarding this doesn't phase me as it is the best info I have when understanding when the first production month could have been.
Cheers all you jealous Octaver lovers ;)
Click to expand...

Great! Congratulations!
How does it sound? Let me guess....like an OC-2? :roflmao:
 
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#11
I've had a few OC-2's in my 25+ years of playing. I had a couple of newer ones from the 90s and early 2000s, but 10-12 years ago I snagged a Made In Japan one off of eBay in a miraculous deal that didn't cost me an arm and a leg. Made in 1986 per the serial number lookup. I love it! There definitely is a difference in overall sound and response between old/new.
 
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#13
I had one that I purchased new in Tokyo with I lived there from '82-88 - forget when I bought it exactly, but I used it in my band when I moved back to the US (Boston area) - once we were playing at a club called Celebrations and I left it in my crate - was gutted to discover it was ripped off while we were playing!
 

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