GO (Germanium Overdrive)

Germanium Overdrive (V1) I have been working on this overdrive on and off over the past few years. With my background in germanium type fuzzers, I wanted to build an overdrive with the same type of transistors. This is not a completely new design, most overdrives are variations on a theme and germanium overdrives have already been done before. However, this is something I have worked on, redesigned, re-tuned, auditioned parts, made the Vero layout and so on. It will not be exactly like any other germanium overdrive and is different enough to be different and most importantly sounds very good indeed especially in a busy band setting (no good if it isn’t, right!). If you want an idea of sound, I would say that this falls into the category of a classic rock type overdrive. Bags of crunch and gain are on tap but it will also do the low gain overdriven thing and cleans up reasonably well. Tone adjustment is via a filter, not too dissimilar to the one found in the MKIII/MKIV Tone Benders. Anyway, after much testing, this is an overdrive that I like and I hope you like it too. The build and the parts: Those who are familiar with my stuff will hopefully recognise the build quality. Strip board construction, custom made aluminium earthing bracket/circuit mount and use of traditional through-hole components (no tiny SMD bits and bobs here). I have mostly opted for high quality modern parts to try to avoid the availability headache and also for reliability reasons. The non-modern parts will of course be the PNP germanium transistor which in this case is a new old stock 1960’s RCA 2n270 in conjunction with some germanium diodes, all tested and carefully selected as you would expect from me. I hope that the photos convey some of this to you. This batch of Germanium Overdrives is 25 units. They are complete and ready to ship w/c 25th May 2026. GO is powered by 9v PP3 type battery or your external power source. Finish is professionally done in a grey hammered type with a gold screen print. I ship Worldwide, tracked/signed for (double boxed) and all my pedals come with a 10 year guarantee. Though in over 20 years I have never as yet charged for a repair of one of my pedals, in or outside warranty period (beat up or not). For our good friends in the US they will arrive to your door tariff free. Feel free to contact me here if you have any questions or via my website email. I also post on Facebook (rarely) and the IG page (as much as I can) if you would like to take a look. Please note that I take photographs with a fairly high zoom which tends to pick up dust.