I want to get an octave pedal. Mostly for the synth-y sound. Trying to decide which one. Would like to get a used one for <$150.
Leaning in favor of the Aguilar Octamizer (v1 for price) or the MXR Vintage Bass Octave (M288). Local MGR also has a Boss OC-2. All three would be around the same price.
I am very open to other suggestions.
Or collect a couple, try them out, and sell on the ones I’m less excited about.
If you want a synthy sounding octaver, nothing beats a Boss OC-2 or clone. All of them sound synthy (because, of course, they are basically synths), but the OC-2 is the original super synthy sound. Tracking isn’t the best though.
That’s where the MXR Vintage comes in. It is an OC-2 clone. Just newer, bit more output, slightly better tracking.
The Aguilar doesn’t do that OC-2 synth sound as well, but has a filter that can get different tones.
Yeah that would be cool. What you want is the basic circuit, not the brand, so in that case the MXR is probably a nicer option than an actual OC-2.
The way the OC-2 works is fascinating, BTW. Look it up 
I was watching a video of Janek Gwizdala this morning where he was like, “Here is one of my twenty OC-2’s. This is the exact one MXR cloned the circuit of to create the Vintage Bass Octave.”
Yeah ok the MXR is probably a keeper then 
I liked my clone a lot. It was still on my board when I got out of hardware effects.
Oh also most digital multieffects will have a decent octaver, often with better tracking than analog. It’s one of the many effects digital does better than analog.
I have the Aguilar and it’s pretty good. I use it at home. Stage use I’m leaning toward the built-in on the Katana. Unless it’s a must that I use it I don’t bring additional pedals on a gig. My 2 pedal is the Dual Bass station and Cory Wong Wampler compressor. I have a set for home and another set for gig.
How synthy is it?
Not too much but it’s very dry. I’m more partial to the AutoWah, it’s a bit more fun and makes most things sound like solos.
The Harmonist I got from @John_E is more adventurous. Finding the song to use it on is more difficult.
Do you use the GA-FC or other expression or selector pedals with the Katana?
Yeah I have the GA-FC. I have the 110 and the House amp is 110 and 210 so I just bring my GA-FC and a BT Dongle plug it in and done. I already have the preset setup.
I just picked up a GA-FC EX used from Guitar Center. They had it (and several others around the country) marked as regular GA-FCs and priced way down. Still figuring out the ins and outs of it. I think I want to get an expression/volume pedal to go with it but not sure what one to use and for what purpose exactly. Like when to use the FV-500H vs FV-500L or instead the EV-5 or EV-30.
Interested in the Aquilar now- I want one that isn’t too synthy
I bought one but it was too late, I’m already used to the original I want to have one for the gig and one for home. They are not exactly the same so I had to choose. I’m just too old to learn a new trick,
I went ahead and order the MXR Vintage. I think that will do the best at what I’m looking for an Octave to do.
The things it doesn’t do on its own, I think will be accomplished by pairing it with my Fuzz.
(Now I’m thinking about MXR phasers and/or a Wah pedal. But I really don’t think I need those. My Darkglass Infinity does everything I need, and with the fuzz is probably 90% of what I want.)
To be fair, you can certainly Geek out a set of Behringer pedals for the price of a single premium brand pedal. It’s a shamelessly copy of mostly Boss pedal, and work quite well too.
I’m strictly shopping used. FB Market has someone selling a Phase 90 for $50.
I mean, I guess that’s ultimately what it is. What’s worth snagging used to try out.
I’d go with an EHX chorus first, I like the Bass Clone. Very much the Hooky sound.
I’ve been playing around with some octave pedals on Amplitube, but I can’t really figure out a sound that I’d like to use in an actual song.
Can anyone recommend any songs with prominant use of octave pedals?
