Guitar Journal: Gary Moore Collection goes to Auction
Plus, we check the latest Fulltone and KMA Machines pedals
4,2 / 5,0 | 
This week, we check out The Gary Moore Collection going under the hammer at Bonhams. Then we take a look at the re-released limited-run Fulltone Ultimate Octave. Finally, we check out the latest KMA Machines Active Switchers range, which has just been announced.
Guitar Journal
The Gary Moore Collection
Bonhams has announced The Gary Moore Collection auction, to be held on 20 November 2025. The sale includes many guitars owned and played by the late Gary Moore, including his famous Fiesta Red 1960 Fender Stratocaster. This one guitar is estimated to sell for somewhere between £200k and £300k!
Prototype Gibson Les Paul Standard
Another highlight is a Prototype Gibson Les Paul Standard with a serial no. Proto 1, which is inscribed in silver pen. It’s an aged model that Moore played on stage during Parisienne Walkways, the encore of his live shows.
This model also has Sperzel tuners, so we can infer that it is based on the famous Greeny model, which Moore originally owned before Kirk Hammett purchased it.
Many More
The sale has many highlights, including Gibson SGs, ES-335TD, Les Paul Junior, Fender Telecasters, and a Marshall JTM Mk. IV Combo. There are also many pedals, guitar amps, and stage-worn items of clothing in this huge sale, so something for everyone potentially.
All the listings will be popular, as Gary Moore was such a much-loved musician and his fan base is massive in the guitar community.
It will certainly be an auction to watch, as there could be very high sums involved with such well-known, artist-owned, and collectable vintage guitars.
Ultimate Octave
Fulltone has announced a limited run of the Ultimate Octave with 1000 units available worldwide. It features a smooth fuzz built around the classic BC108 transistor and includes an active tone circuit. For instant octave fun, a second footswitch engages a searing Octave Up effect at the moment you need it.
Crucially, the sound of this new Ultimate Octave remains utterly faithful to the original circuit—there are no updates, re-voicing, or changes to the classic tone. It delivers that signature sound in a chassis that is now less than half the width of the previous model, saving significant space on your pedalboard.
Fat/Bright
A key feature is the Fat/Bright switch, which drastically alters the pedal’s overall character, affecting both the fuzz and the octave effect. The Fat setting offers a thicker, mid-forward contour, while the Bright setting provides a more open sound with defined high frequencies and a subtle mid-range scoop.
Fulltone states that this pedal is extremely versatile and works well with any guitar. Its octave-up tracking is solid across all pickups and most positions on the neck, though using the neck pickup yields the most apparent, most pronounced octave effect.
If you want even more octave, simply increase the Tone control, slightly decrease the Distortion control, and compensate by raising the Volume.
It is available to order at Thomann, priced $321/£295/€329
KMA Machines Active Switchers
KMA Machines is enhancing its lineup of useful utility pedals by introducing fully Active versions of its well-known ABY and STEREO ABY switchers. These updated, compact boxes build upon the success of the popular Passive models, offering guitarists and musicians greater flexibility.
Active ABY and Active STEREO ABY
The new Active ABY and Active STEREO ABY now include essential Phase and Y Direction switches, providing more options for splitting, combining, or simply switching between audio devices to suit diverse setups and signal demands.
DUAL LOOP SWITCHER
Joining these updates is the brand-new DUAL LOOP SWITCHER pedal. This diminutive unit simplifies complex pedalboard management by enabling easy, silent switching between two distinct signal loops.
KMA Machines Pricing & Availability
All three new, affordable devices are crafted in Berlin and feature KMA’s signature Active Silent Soft Switching technology to minimise mechanical stage noise. They also incorporate a high-quality buffered bypass circuit, ensuring virtually silent operation.
They are available at Thomann: Dual Loop Switcher, Active Stereo AB/Y Switch, both priced at €139/£125/$135, and the Active AB/Y Switch at €79/£71/$77.
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