The ZVEX Jonny Overload 00 (proto) is an octave fuzz pedal from ZVEX, built as a prototype run on a hot-rodded Jonny Octave board whose inner circuit was, in the maker's words, turned up to 111. ZVEX describes the result as a smooth analog octave fuzz that cuts through the mix like melted butter, thanks to the NOS germanium diodes being clipped to maximum capacity1. The enclosure is hand painted by CFB1.
Availability
ZVEX made a small batch of these pedals, which sold immediately. The company kept one in its display case and is now offering that unit to the public1. It is described as never played outside ZVEX HQ, in brand new condition1.
This is a prototype in a small batch that sold out. The only unit currently offered is the display unit from ZVEX's case1.
Controls and how it works
The pedal carries two footswitches. One switch turns the effect on, and the other lets the player choose which octave is engaged1. On the Jonny Octave, the board this prototype is built from, the two switches are, from left to right, an Octave 1/Octave 2 selector switch and a True Bypass switch2.
For tracking, ZVEX says the pedal tracks especially well when the player is using the neck pick-up1, worth knowing when dialing in octave response on a guitar with more than one pickup position.
Where it sits in the ZVEX range
The Jonny Overload 00 (proto) is a variant of the Jonny Octave, a hot-rodded version of that board rather than a new circuit from scratch1. Players interested in ZVEX's other fuzz designs can compare it with the ZVEX Fuzz Factory, the Zvex Woolly Mammoth, or browse the wider field on the Fuzz Pedals and Octave & Pitch Pedals pages.
Questions
What is the ZVEX Jonny Overload 00 (proto)?
It is a prototype octave fuzz pedal from ZVEX Effects, built on a hot-rodded Jonny Octave board whose inner circuit was, in the maker's words, turned up to 11. It uses NOS germanium diodes clipped to maximum capacity to create what ZVEX describes as a smooth analog octave fuzz that cuts through the mix. The enclosure is hand painted by CFB, and the small batch sold out immediately.
Is the ZVEX Jonny Overload 00 (proto) still available?
The small batch sold immediately when it was released. ZVEX kept one unit in its display case and is now offering that display unit to the public. It is described as never played outside ZVEX HQ, in brand new condition. Beyond that single unit, the pedal is sold out.
What diodes does the ZVEX Jonny Overload 00 (proto) use?
The pedal uses NOS germanium diodes, which ZVEX says are clipped to maximum capacity in this prototype. That clipping is what produces the smooth analog octave fuzz character the maker describes.
What do the two footswitches do on the Jonny Overload 00 (proto)?
One switch turns the effect on, and the other lets the player choose which octave is engaged. On the related Jonny Octave, the two switches are, from left to right, an Octave 1/Octave 2 selector switch and a True Bypass switch.
Which pickup works best with the Jonny Overload 00 (proto)?
ZVEX says the pedal tracks especially well when the player is using the neck pick-up, so players looking for the cleanest octave tracking should start there.
Sources (2)
- Jonny Overload, ZVEX Effects
- Z.Vex Effects, Analog Man (analogman.com), 2015
