The Daredevil Pedals Daisho Earl Slick Signature Octave Fuzz is an octave fuzz pedal born from a collaboration between the Chicago maker and guitarist Earl Slick. It is a 2-in-1 design: two independent circuits, a fuzz and an octave-up effect, with an optional noise gate control, designed, in the maker's words, "for maximum dynamic fuzz and octave control"1.
Two circuits, two footswitches
The octave circuit is stacked before the fuzz in the signal path, and it can be turned on its own, without the fuzz, through a separate footswitch1. That means the pedal works as an octave effect alone, a fuzz alone, or both together.
With the octave engaged, Delicious Audio's page describes the result this way:
"Double stops turn into swirling, gnashing sonic feq-out. High end harmonic tones that stir up Hendrix-like sustain and singing sweet bite."
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level on the fuzz side1 |
| Gain | Amount of fuzz on the fuzz side1 |
| Depth | Tone stack that boosts or attenuates the low end; clockwise fattens the bottom, counterclockwise is vintage and bright with enough texture to cut through1 |
| Noise gate | Increased clockwise, cutting background hiss between playing; can be bypassed when gain or volume is rolled back1 |
The depth knob is the tone-shaping heart of the fuzz side. Counterclockwise it sits in vintage and bright territory; turned to the right, the bottom end fattens up1.
The noise gate is optional by design: roll back your guitar's gain or volume and the gate can be bypassed, since the cleanup quiets the pedal on its own1.
Power and bypass
The Daisho is true bypass and runs on a 9V negative-ground external DC source1. A standard center-negative supply from a pedalboard power brick covers it.
Where it sits
As an octave fuzz, the Daisho belongs to the same family as other Fuzz Pedals that add an octave-up voice, and players chasing that Hendrix-style sustain may also look at Octave & Pitch Pedals for standalone octave effects. Daredevil Pedals has since collaborated again on fuzz designs, including the Cry Baby Daredevil Fuzz Wah with Jim Dunlop2.
Videos
Reverb
R.J. Ronquillo
Chicago Music Exchange
Questions
Can you use the octave on the Daisho without the fuzz?
Yes. The octave-up circuit sits before the fuzz in the signal path and has its own separate footswitch, so it can be switched on by itself while the fuzz stays off. That makes the Daisho effectively two pedals in one enclosure: an octave effect and a fuzz, usable independently or stacked together.
What does the depth knob do on the Daisho?
The depth knob is a tone stack for the low end on the fuzz side. Turning it clockwise fattens the bottom end, while turning it counterclockwise gives a vintage, brighter character with enough texture to cut through a mix. It boosts or attenuates the low end around the Volume and Gain controls.
Is the Daredevil Daisho true bypass?
Yes. Delicious Audio's product page lists the Daisho as true bypass, so the pedal passes your guitar's signal untouched when switched off.
What power supply does the Daisho need?
The Daisho runs on a 9V negative-ground external DC power source. There is no mention of battery operation, so plan on a standard center-negative supply or isolated output from your pedalboard power brick.
When should the noise gate be bypassed on the Daisho?
The noise gate control, turned clockwise, cuts background hiss between phrases. According to the product page, it can be bypassed when you roll back your guitar's gain or volume, since cleaning up the guitar that way quiets the pedal naturally and the gate would otherwise be unnecessary.
Sources (2)
- Daredevil Pedals Daish? Earl Slick Signature Octave Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2018-07-02
- The Cry Baby Daredevil Fuzz Wah is here, guitar.com
