

Boss OC-5 Octave Guitar & Bass Effects Pedal, (Used)
Pairs well with
Description
The Boss OC-5 Octave is a highly versatile octave pedal for guitar and bass, combining the classic mono character of the legendary OC-2 with modern polyphonic tracking and an extended octave-up voice.
Its two main operating modes cover very different applications. Vintage mode delivers the familiar monophonic Boss octave sound with dedicated -1 and -2 octave level controls, while Poly mode allows full chords to be played with intelligent octave processing.
The OC-5 also adds a +1 octave control, dedicated Guitar/Bass optimisation and a Direct Out connection for separating the dry and effected signals.
This Pre-Owned example is in Very Good condition.
No power supply is included.
AT A GLANCE
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | OC-5 |
| Effect Type | Octave |
| Modes | Vintage / Poly |
| Octave Range | +1, -1 & -2 Octaves |
| Guitar / Bass Mode | Yes |
| Direct Out | Yes |
| Bypass | Buffered |
| Condition | Very Good / Pre-Owned |
| Power Supply | Not Included |
PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT
This is a Pre-Owned Boss OC-5 Octave in Very Good condition.
The Very Good condition grade reflects some light cosmetic signs of previous use consistent with careful ownership while remaining fully functional and ready to use.
Please study the photographs carefully for the exact cosmetic condition of this individual pedal.
No power supply is included.
KEY FEATURES
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Boss OC-5 Octave
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Suitable for guitar and bass
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Vintage mode
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Polyphonic mode
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+1 octave voice
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-1 octave voice
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-2 octave voice
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Direct Level control
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Dedicated octave level controls
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Polyphonic Range control
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Lowest-note mode
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Guitar / Bass switch
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Direct Out
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Modern Boss tracking engine
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Buffered bypass
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9V battery operation
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Boss PSA-series adapter compatible
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60mA current draw
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Very Good Pre-Owned condition
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No power supply included
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT
The OC-5 combines two very different generations of Boss octave effects in a single compact pedal.
Vintage mode is ideal for players who want the warm, synth-like monophonic sub-octave character associated with classic Boss octave pedals.
Poly mode is much more flexible, allowing chords and complex playing while intelligently applying octave processing to selected parts of the frequency range.
The added octave-up voice makes the OC-5 useful for everything from subtle thickening to organ-like multi-octave textures.
DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS
Vintage Mode
Vintage mode recreates the character and control approach of the classic Boss OC-2.
It provides dedicated controls for:
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Direct signal
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-1 octave
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-2 octaves
This mode is monophonic and particularly effective for single-note bass lines, lead guitar and synth-like sub-octave sounds.
Poly Mode
Poly mode allows the OC-5 to track chords and multiple notes.
This makes it suitable for players who want octave effects without being restricted to single-note lines.
+1 Octave Control
The +1 OCT control blends an octave-above signal into the sound.
This can add extra definition, create organ-style textures or produce more complex multi-octave effects when combined with the sub-octaves.
-1 Octave Control
The -1 OCT control blends in a signal one octave below the original note.
This is ideal for adding thickness and low-end weight.
-2 Octave / Range Control
In Vintage mode, this control adjusts the level of the signal two octaves below the original note.
In Poly mode, the same control becomes a Range control that determines which lower notes receive the octave effect.
LOWEST MODE
Turning the Range control fully towards Lowest allows Poly mode to isolate the octave effect to the lowest note in a chord.
This is particularly useful for guitarists who want to play chords while generating a separate bass-style note underneath.
GUITAR / BASS SWITCH
A dedicated switch optimises the OC-5 tracking response for either:
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Guitar
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Bass
This helps the pedal respond appropriately to the different frequency ranges of each instrument.
DIRECT OUT
The OC-5 provides a separate Direct Out connection.
This allows the dry signal and octave-processed signal to be routed independently.
Potential applications include:
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Dry signal to one amplifier
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Octave signal to another amplifier
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Separate mixer channels
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Split recording paths
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Bass-style octave routing
WHO IS IT FOR?
The Boss OC-5 is particularly well suited to:
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Guitarists
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Bassists
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Funk players
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Rock musicians
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Ambient players
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Experimental musicians
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Solo performers
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Players wanting OC-2-style sounds
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Guitarists wanting polyphonic octave tracking
PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS
The OC-5 works particularly well for:
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Funk
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Rock
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Pop
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Alternative
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Ambient
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Bass guitar
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Lead guitar
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Synth-style bass lines
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Organ-like textures
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Solo performance
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Studio recording
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Live performance
HOW IT COMPARES
OC-5 vs Boss OC-2
The OC-2 is a classic monophonic octave pedal focused on sub-octaves.
The OC-5 recreates that Vintage-style approach while adding improved tracking, polyphonic operation and an octave-up voice.
OC-5 vs Boss OC-3
The OC-3 introduced polyphonic octave processing.
The OC-5 develops that concept further while also adding a dedicated Vintage mode and +1 octave voice.
Vintage vs Poly Mode
Vintage mode is best suited to classic monophonic octave sounds.
Poly mode is designed for chordal playing and more flexible modern octave effects.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Guitar / Bass Effects Pedal |
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | OC-5 |
| Effect Type | Octave |
| Modes | Vintage / Poly |
| Instrument Modes | Guitar / Bass |
| Controls | Direct Level, +1 OCT, -1 OCT, -2 OCT / Range |
| Octave Up | +1 |
| Octave Down | -1 / -2 |
| Lowest Note Mode | Yes |
| Direct Out | Yes |
| Input | 1/4" |
| Output | 1/4" |
| Direct Output | 1/4" |
| Input Impedance | 1MΩ |
| Output Impedance | 1kΩ |
| Recommended Load | 10kΩ or Greater |
| Bypass | Buffered |
| Power | 9V Battery / Boss PSA-Series Adapter |
| Current Draw | 60mA |
| Width | 73mm |
| Depth | 129mm |
| Height | 59mm |
| Approx. Weight | 440g Including Battery |
| Condition | Very Good / Pre-Owned |
| Power Supply | Not Included |
POWER REQUIREMENTS
The Boss OC-5 can be powered by:
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9V alkaline battery
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Boss PSA-series 9V DC adapter
Current draw is approximately 60mA.
No power supply is included with this Pre-Owned pedal.
FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★
Best suited for: Guitarists and bassists wanting both classic mono sub-octave sounds and modern polyphonic octave effects from one compact pedal.
Customers usually upgrade from: Basic octave pedals, pitch-shifter pedals and older mono-only octave effects.
Most commonly paired with: Fuzz, overdrive, compressor, delay, reverb and bass amps.
Our tip: In Poly mode, turn the Range control towards Lowest and play full chords. The pedal can generate a bass-style octave underneath while leaving the upper chord tones largely unaffected.
Showroom feedback: The combination of Vintage and Poly modes makes the OC-5 far more versatile than a traditional octave pedal. Vintage mode gets very close to the familiar Boss sub-octave feel, while Poly mode opens up much more practical chordal and live-looping applications.
WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?
Buying a Pre-Owned Boss OC-5 is an excellent way to add one of Boss’s most flexible octave pedals to your setup at a more accessible price.
This example is in Very Good condition.
No power supply is included.
WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?
When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.
Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.
Customers benefit from:
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Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
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Birmingham's largest independent music store
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6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
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Knowledgeable musician-led advice
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Extensive experience with Pre-Owned effects pedals
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Large Birmingham showroom
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Fast UK delivery
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Friendly customer support
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Part-exchange and trade-in service
TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.
Your current pedals, guitar, bass or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this Boss OC-5.
Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges effects, guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.
Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.
PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN
If you already own effects pedals or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess them for part exchange.
Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing gear to go directly towards your next purchase.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this Boss OC-5 used?
Yes. This is a Pre-Owned Boss OC-5 in Very Good condition.
Is it suitable for guitar?
Yes.
Is it suitable for bass?
Yes. It has a dedicated Bass mode.
What octave intervals does it provide?
+1 octave, -1 octave and -2 octaves.
Does it work with chords?
Yes. Poly mode provides polyphonic tracking.
What is Vintage mode?
Vintage mode recreates the classic monophonic Boss octave approach associated with the OC-2.
What does Lowest mode do?
It applies the octave effect primarily to the lowest note in a chord.
Does it have a Direct Out?
Yes.
Can I split the dry and octave signals?
Yes. The Direct Out allows separate signal routing.
Is it buffered bypass?
Yes.
Can it run from a battery?
Yes. It accepts a standard 9V alkaline battery.
What power supply does it require?
A compatible Boss PSA-series 9V DC adapter.
How much current does it draw?
Approximately 60mA.
Is a power supply included?
No. No power supply is included.
What condition is it in?
It is in Very Good condition.
Can I part-exchange another pedal against it?
Yes. Fair Deal Music considers effects pedals and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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Shipping Information
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Customer Support
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FAQ’s
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Contact Us
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Good to Know
How long is the warranty period?
For new products, you will get the full manufacturer warranty. For our second-hand products, we will cover any fault within 4 weeks of the purchase of any guitar. For pianos, that will be extended to 3 months.
What is the estimated delivery time?
We use the 24hr delivery in UK mainlands if it can be delivered by post. For Scotland and Wales, it depends on the area and the distance from our warehouse, but our aim is to get you order to your hands as soon as possible.
For products that cannot be posted, we will arrange the delivery with you to suit your schedule and deliver it to you
Do you offer international shipping?
We usually can ship instruments worldwide. Please get in touch to get a quote
What is the maintinance on your USED products?
- Guitars: Every guitar will be setup to a high playing standard before shipping. The electronics are checked and if there is any issue with guitar, it will be fixed.
- Pianos: Every piano is fully tested to make sure it's fully functional, cleaned, and if it's digital, a facroty reset is performed.
Do you offer assembly and installation?
We offer installation and assembly for pianos, drum kits, or any products that require it for and extra charge. Please get in touch so we can provide you with a quote.

