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Joe Gore Screech

Auto-tracking octave fuzz
MFR# Screech

Product Description

Overtone overdose

The Joe Gore Screech is descended from vintage octave fuzzes like the Ampeg Scrambler and Dan Armstrong Green Ringer, but it’s not a clone. It provides much clearer octave overtones, and you don’t need an extra booster for great results.

Most octave fuzzes work best when you play near the 12th fret using the neck pickup. But Screech provides potent octaves regardless of neck position or pickup setting. It also does fine non-octave fuzz.

Unlike most things Joe Gore makes, Screech is not especially dynamic. It needs consistently heavy gain for its powerful octave effects. But as on many vintage octave fuzzes, you get freaky harmonics and other interesting noises when you lower your guitar’s volume control.

Screech runs on standard 9-volt batteries or power supplies. It was created in San Francisco by Joe Gore and is built in Michigan by skilled craftspeople paid a fair wage. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

TO USE:

The single knob is a master volume. (There’s no gain control because this circuit demands high gain to generate such strong octaves.) When you hit the DIST footswitch without the octave (OCT) engaged, the LED glows red. With the octave on, the light is yellow (you can’t use the octave section without DIST activated).

When Screech is bypassed, you can specify whether the octave will be engaged when you activate the pedal. If the LED glows green, the octave will be engaged when you hit DIST. If the LED isn’t glowing, you’ll get non-octave fuzz when you step on DIST.

Reviews and Testimonials:

“My new favorite things: Joe Gore Screech and Porkolator.”

- Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses, Crystal Method, Pink, BT, Dead Daisies)

Product Specifications

Condition New

Product Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars.
Review Count (5)

write a review

Come for the octave. Stay for the distortion. I bought this pedal after watching Joe's demo video. The octave effect was so pronounced. I have an old song that I believe would be perfect for that effect. I haven't recorded it yet, but so far my intuition has been correct. It's a perfect fit and it takes intro of the piece to another level.

However, the real bonus is the distortion without the octave. It's outstanding. I wouldn't have bought it but for the screechy octave effect, but the pedal is worth a purchase for the fuzz distortion alone.

Full disclosure I chase it with a compressor, a treble booster, a clean boost, and an orange amp on the verge of breakup, but... wow.

By Michael R on July 19, 2021

The Joe Gore Screech Octave Fuzz kicks arse: simple to use, raw and ready fuzz tone, and the most consistent octave effect - great octave on any pickup and almost anywhere on the neck. Downside? It doesn't do 100 different fuzz sounds like a box with a bias (Keely etc,..), but if you want a simple box - with one great fuzz tone, and the best octave I've heard - the Screech should be on your board.

By Gerard H on July 9, 2021

The Joe Gore Screech has an upside as well as a downside. The upside i that the fuzz tone feature is a good sounding fuzz. The downside is that on my 1962 Gibson Les Paul SG the octave feature is present on the neck pickup but barely present to the point of not being effective on the bridge pickup. This is a major downside as the Foxx fuzz I have had for years has octave present on both pickups. While watching the demo video you will notice that the player starts out on a Trini Lopez guitar with what sounds like the neck pickup but doesn't take the time to switch pickups. In fact, he only plays the Trini Lopez for a few seconds and then quickly transitions to Fender guitars which remain the focus of the bulk of the video. Then near the end of the video he plays a Les Paul Custom, again, only for a few seconds and does not switch pickups. Was this oversight by design? I'm not one to make that call but I do find it to be suspicious that at no time in the video does the listener get to hear both pickups on a Gibson guitar. After demoing it with my guitar now I understand why. The pedal has some good points but still needs to be refined for it to be able to compete with other octave fuzz unit out there.

By rich s on April 1, 2021

THIS is the octave pedal you have dreamed of. Works all over the neck. No having to turn down the neck pick-up bass. Highly recommend !

By walker k on June 8, 2020

This is one of the most musical octave fuzz’a I’ve ever encountered. I own quite a few new and vintage octave fuzz’s but this one won’t leave my rig for quite a while.

By Richard F on April 3, 2019

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I would like to thank VK for the wonderful sales assistance, service and prices. This was my first purchase with you and it won't be my last. I only wish I'd discovered you years ago!
Matthew R.
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In almost 20 years in Pro audio buying, never did I receive a unit so well packed and exactly as described. Works flawlessly. The whole process has been so smooth. I will never hesitate to do business with you guys in the future and will recommend you to everyone I know.
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