Any tube-powered, fuzz pedals w/ germanium transistors out there?

gibsualdo · #1 03-01-2008, 12:32 AM

The subject pretty much says it all really. At the moment, I'm using my EHX English Muff'n, loaded with two 12AX7's. With the gain cranked I find I can get a pretty satisfactory fuzz-ish sound out of it, but I'd still like to go that one step (or even leap) further and get a dedicated fuzz pedal. I was thinking about test-driving the Dunlop Hendrix Classic Fuzz, when I considered how awesome the English Muffin' might sound if it too had germanium transistors. For the record, my knowledge of electronics is pretty much non-existant, but I have noticed that germanium-assisted fuzz pedals are usually at the top end of the price range (Colorsound Tonebender and Analogman's Sun Face for instance). I gather this is due to them producing a very authentic sounding fuzz, the first ones built contained germaniums AFAIK. If anyone knows of a pedal with these qualities (germaniums and at least one 12AX7), please feel free to share this knowledge with us

And yes, I have searched... and searched...... and searched

JanusZarate · #2 03-01-2008, 03:16 AM

Why not just get a boost or fuzz pedal? Perhaps something based on germanium transistors?

You could then push your Muff'n from overdrive to fuzz, making it doubly useful.

speak_onion · #3 03-01-2008, 05:36 AM

You probably want germanium transistors OR tubes, not both in one pedal. If I were you, I'd pick up a separate fuzz pedal, and if you like germ trannies, then go with that. There's no real reason for both, and I doubt they'd exist, since most germ fuzz pedals are probably expected to be running into tube amps.

ehque · #4 03-01-2008, 07:53 AM

Uh. transistors and tubes both play the same function in a fuzz/od pedal, don't they? If im not wrong they both add gain, and clip. Perhaps a germanium fuzz is all you need. Feed that into the English Muff'n.

bongomania · #5 03-01-2008, 08:49 AM

assboglin · #6 03-01-2008, 09:48 AM

Yes, the tubes and the transistors perform the same function, so there's plenty of pedals with one or the other, but I don't know of any with both. That would be kind of unnecessary, I think.

40Hz_of_Love · #7 03-01-2008, 10:00 AM

A tube overdrive with built in germanium transistor boost! That souns like a really great idea! A bit expensive though, I imagine...

McHaven · #8 03-01-2008, 12:31 PM

EHX makes a germanium OD.

bigchiefbc · #9 03-01-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McHaven

EHX makes a germanium OD.

Which I will be demo'ing on Tuesday, with a review out that night or Wednesday.

TaySte_2000 · #10 03-01-2008, 03:42 PM

Cream Pie is a germanium based pedal

dannybuoy · #11 03-01-2008, 04:13 PM

My DHA VT2 has 2 tubes plus switchable silicon or germanium diodes... Doesn't sound much like a fuzz though. The VT1 Mk3 also has this feature but with one tube.

You're better off working out what sound you want and finding a pedal that'll get you there rather than narrowing down your selection to 'anything with a tube and a germanium transistor inside it'. I am currently interested in the Hendrix fuzz or the Turbo Rat to get some Timmy C / Kim Gordon distortion sounds, for example.

gibsualdo · #12 03-02-2008, 01:47 PM

Thanks for the input, folks. You've been very helpful

I think for now, I'll probably just go with a regular germanium fuzz pedal, then experiment with it both on it's own and running into the English Muff'n. I'm looking forward to hearing the EHX Germanium OD, those DHA pedals look quite interesting too, I may have to look into getting a 'Bob the Blender' valve looper and/or 'Fuzzy Feeling'. Also the Hendrix Fuzz and Turbo Rat, will definitely be something to check out too, both seem to be getting pretty good reviews. I know the Rat isn't a dedicated fuzz, nor germanium, but if it can match up to the others, then I'd have no problem buying one.