"OC Series" Elektrika | w/ NOS Black Glass Ge Transistors

Our “OC Series" Elektrikas use 60’s vintage Mullard/Valvo/Phillips black glass OC44 germanium transistors for a more original-true fuzz experience. These "black glass" transistors predated the more "modern" germanium we use in our standard Elektrika, and they each have a signature tone. Without getting too far into the technical details, these older transistors had a somewhat filtered frequency response, and this gives them the unique midrange character that is so desireable for authentic vintage tone.

Our "Elektrika" design uses a custom PCB to both add extra features to the classic Tone Bender design as well as to make assembly less time consuming (as compared to our point-to-point pedals). Our tweaks to the classic MKI sound include increased output volume, a “GATE” control to dial in sustain or “sticky fuzz” to your taste and guitar's output. Use the passive "TONE" control to tame upper harmonics on brighter modern amps. You can also flip the pedal into "Zonk" mode with the mini toggle, which trims the low end when compared to "MK1" mode.

Here are some details about how the transistor types differ. Please feel free to write to me for suggestions based on exactly what you are looking for! 

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.

OC44 sounds to my ears a bit more “gutsy” or “rude” than the OC75. This translates into “more lower mids”, or “distorts sooner as you turn up the gain”. Overall a great choice for 

OC42 "Metal Can Mullards" – 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 when the "GATE" control is opened up.

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.

OC72 - are also "Metal Can" transistors, like the OC42, but have a more compressed, fuzzy character than the OC42. More like a "hi-fi" version of the OC44... mean and dirty, but great articulation and they clean up very well with the guitar's volume.

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