The JAM Pedals "Achenbach" Octaurus NOS is a limited, vintage-style octave fuzz pedal built with rare early-1960s new-old-stock (NOS) silicon transistors. JAM Pedals describes it as a vintage-voiced NOS silicon octave fuzz, reimagined through the artwork of The Simpsons artist John Achenbach, and says the transistors give it exceptional warmth, responsiveness and harmonic character1. It takes the flexible Octaurus platform and adds what the maker calls the distinctive feel of a genuinely scarce component set, built from the same rare batch of early-1960s NOS silicon transistors used in its limited predecessor1.
An octave fuzz, or "octafuzz," adds an octave-up component to the fuzz signal, a sound players associate with tight riffing and pronounced upper harmonics. For more on the effect family, see octave and pitch pedals and fuzz pedals.
The controls: Level, Tone, Gain and two switches
The pedal has three knobs and two switches, and JAM Pedals lays out what each does plainly1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output volume |
| Tone | Shapes the frequency balance |
| Gain | Controls fuzz intensity |
| Voicing switch | Scooped or full-range |
| Clipping switch | Symmetrical or asymmetrical clipping |
The voicing switch moves between two frequency voices. In scooped mode, the low end is focused and the octave becomes more prominent, which JAM Pedals pitches as tight riffing with a pronounced octave. Full-range mode delivers broader, harmonically rich lead tones1.
The clipping switch selects symmetrical or asymmetrical clipping, which the maker says lets you fine-tune tightness, dynamics and saturation1. In practice, the two clipping shapes change how the fuzz responds to your picking and how defined the notes stay under gain.
The Octaurus platform and its hand-painted editions
The NOS edition sits on the same Octaurus platform as the standard JAM Pedals "Achenbach" Octaurus, which shares the same control set: Level, Tone and Gain knobs, a scooped/full-range voicing switch and a symmetrical/asymmetrical clipping switch2. The standard version's voicing switch works the same way, with Scooped mode tightening the response and emphasising the octave effect and Full-range mode retaining more harmonic body for lead work2.
The difference is the component set. The NOS edition is built from the same rare batch of early-1960s NOS silicon transistors used in the earlier limited run, where the standard Octaurus uses the platform without that scarce transistor stash1.
Both the NOS and standard "Achenbach" editions are limited artwork pedals. Every one is a one-of-a-kind hand-painted piece, and JAM Pedals notes the pedal you receive will differ in detail from the photos shown12. The standard Octaurus line also comes in custom artwork versions JAM Pedals calls "Dead in the Water", "Hairy", "Jelly Belly", "Bullushka", "Marbling", "Steampunk" and "White Night", all with the same sound and different artwork2.
Availability is unclear. The "Achenbach" Octaurus NOS product page lists custom artwork versions in stock1, while another JAM Pedals page marks the pedal sold out3. As a limited edition built from a finite batch of transistors, it can sell through quickly.
Buying and shipping details
JAM Pedals lists the "Achenbach" Octaurus NOS at a regular price of £364.00, tax included1. For UK buyers it ships DDP, with 20% UK VAT and all duties included and no extra charges on delivery1. The maker also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, refunding no questions asked if you are not satisfied within 30 days of receiving the product1. A manual for the pedal is available on the JAM Pedals site1.
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Questions
Is the JAM Pedals Octaurus NOS true bypass?
Yes. JAM Pedals lists the "Achenbach" Octaurus NOS with true bypass switching, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without the circuit coloring it.
Does the Octaurus NOS run on a battery?
Yes. It runs on a 9V battery or a 9V DC center-negative power supply, drawing only 5 mA, so it is easy on a pedalboard power supply and works without one.
What is the difference between the Octaurus Standard and NOS?
Both are octave fuzz pedals on the same Octaurus platform with the same controls. The NOS edition is built from a rare batch of early-1960s new-old-stock silicon transistors, which JAM Pedals describes as giving the circuit a distinctive, genuinely scarce component set.
What does the clipping switch on the Octaurus do?
It selects between symmetrical and asymmetrical clipping. JAM Pedals says this lets you fine-tune the pedal's feel, tightness, dynamics and saturation, changing how the fuzz responds to your picking.
Is the Achenbach Octaurus NOS sold out?
The maker's own pages disagree. The "Achenbach" Octaurus NOS product page lists custom artwork versions in stock, while another JAM Pedals page marks it sold out. As a limited edition built from a scarce batch of transistors, availability can change quickly.
Sources (3)
- “Achenbach” Octaurus NOS, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- “Achenbach” Octaurus, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
- "Ultron" Octaurus NOS, JAM Pedals (jampedals.com)
