$329.00Add to cart

***UPDATE: Jan 22nd, 2025: We’re starting a move to our new site – www.jdmpedals.com  – we will soon offer easier “drop down” options to customize transistors. As always, I’m glad to talk about the options we have and how these affect tone or how to get the tone you’re after, so drop a line any time. -joe

Remaining quantity: Jan 22nd, 2025 – We have a small batch of OC75 on the way (20 pcs). Knowing that half will likely be too noisy to use, we’ll be able to make just a few more of these pedals in early 2025. Please check at www.jdmpedals.com 

PEDAL FREEK STUFF: We have started using a combination of transistors, OC75 Black Glass as well as OC74, OC76, and OC77 (Mullard & Valvo metal can). OC74 tend to be slightly lower gain and lower noise, OC76 and OC77 slightly higher gain, but in the metal cans, also lower noise. This combo makes for remarkable MK1 fuzz circuits – the thick fuzz tone we love, but with the ability to open up that “Gate” control and let it sustain, without unbearable background noise!

Using all OC75, it’s rarely possible to get this low level of noise any more. When I had hundreds of OC75 to sort through, some of you early JDM customers got a hold of an all black glass OC75 Elektrika with low noise… don’t ever let that pedal go!

Since the first transistor just raises the guitar’s level a bit, it must also be *very low noise* since this signal will be heavily amplified in the next stages! The second transistor does the “heavy lifting”, generating much of the gain, and the 3rd transistor a second layer of drive, creating that complex fuzz sound. We place the OC75 black glass in either second or third position, complimenting that with the close sibling, and OC76 or OC77. This provides the tone and response while keeping the noise in check, a perfect pedal for stage and studio.  – joe

Related info on our other “Elektrika” models:

We get a lot of questions about how the OC44 or OC45 version is different from the OC75 version, or the standard Elektrika, etc. Here are a few points:

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.

HOWEVER – OC42, OC44, and OC45 transistors ALSO fit the bill! These transistors were, until recently, available at a better price… but the word got out – they sound EXCELLENT in a fuzz box!

**** NOTE That the current OC75 Elektrika uses all vintage caps, which add to the cost (and fees on this platform add up fast – see the site for more info at joedocmusic.com)

OC44 – can be a tad high gain, but by selecting the right ones, you get a killer fuzz right up there with the OC75’s. Is there a difference in sound? Yes… it’s in the realm of the subjective – OC44 sounds to my ears a bit more “gutsy” or “rude” than the OC75. This might translate into “more lower mids”, or “distorts sooner as you turn up the gain”.

OC42 – which we have only a few more transistors for now – 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.

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.

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!

* If you’re familiar with our “standard” Elektrika, you may wonder, “Why the price bump?” It comes down to the transistors. Vintage OC75 transistors are very hard to find, and prices are skyrocketing as supplies disappear. OC75 transistors are currently $25-$30 a piece. Once these precious devices arrive, we sort them rigorously for gain, leakage and noise! Less than half make the cut, putting the cost for the transistors alone at well over $100.

(I should note – Our supply of transistors for our regular production “Elektrika” is in good shape for now, so you may want to consider picking one of those up in any case! )

Specs:

– Vintage Mullard “long can” OC75 & OC76 transistors

– Enclosure Size 125B, Finished in Gold Hammerite, Block-printed Graphics

– Powered by 9v “Block” battery, or +9vDC power jack. We have built in an analog 9v power inverter, so you may power this with a standard negative ground power supply! (aka “Boss Style” adapter). This means the pedal integrates seamlessly with modern pedalboards.

– All the trimmings: Hand wired, Top mounted Lumberg Jacks, cloth-covered vintage in/out wire, low power consumption LED, “Fat/Tight” switch for MK1/Zonk Machine tones, and our custom Gate and Tone controls to dial in all the fuzz tones you dream about…

Thanks for checkin’ it out!

joe

$329.00Add to cart

Returns/ Repairs:

RETURN POLICY: If you’re not satisfied with any JDM Pedal, you can return within 14 days for a refund (minus shipping and payment processing costs, which Paypal does not refund to us 🙁  If you encounter any functional problems with a pedal at any time just contact us! Since we use vintage transistors, it is possible that a transistor can fail, as rare as that is, and we’ll always do what it takes to get your beloved fuzz machine growling again.