Saturday, September 13, 2014

Germanium Fuzz Tone: The Ultimate Distortion

If you're familiar with rock music from the 1960s, then you know that the one distinct characteristic which made rock music an iconic staple during that particular decade was the sound of an electric guitar plugged into a fuzz distortion pedal that was made with germanium or silicon transistors. From the Rolling Stones to average studio musicians, many bands from the '60s and early 1970s featured guitarists who owe their success and popularity to companies that manufactured germanium or silicon fuzz distortion pedals for them to use on recordings and onstage.
In recent years, the use of germanium fuzz distortion has made somewhat of a comeback as more contemporary guitarists have been adding the use of germanium fuzz tone to their recordings. The unique sound of germanium fuzz tone remains a personal favorite for aspiring guitarists who want to showcase their talents.

I have decided to list six guitar pedals which are considered to be the best on the market in regards to germanium fuzz tone... 

1. The Maestro Fuzz-Tone
The Maestro Fuzz-Tone is the original and most sought-
after germanium fuzz distortion pedal on the
market.


2. The Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face
What makes the Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face unique is 
that it was the first guitar pedal to be manufactured in
a round casing.


Chrome humbucker pickups
like the kind featured on this
Gibson SG Standard guitar
can help improve the sound
quality while using fuzz 

distortion.

3. The Z.Vex Effects Fat Fuzz Factory
The Z.Vex Effects Fat Fuzz Factory is a great pedal for 
those who want to add that '60s germanium fuzz sound
 to their arsenal of guitar effects.  

4. The Wampler Leviathan Fuzz
The Leviathan Fuzz by Wampler is a compact pedal
with a monster-sized germanium sound. 


5. The EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper
The Hoof Reaper pedal features germanium and silicon
transistors, along with an octave effect which makes it
virtually three pedals in one.
    
6. The Way Huge Electronics Swollen
Pickle MKII Jumbo Fuzz
The Swollen Pickle MKII Jumbo Fuzz from Way Huge
 Electronics provides several options in order to create
and adjust whatever style of germanium fuzz tone the
user wants, which makes this pedal both convenient
and practical.

The Gibson Les Paul Custom SG is an
excellent guitar for using germanium
fuzz tone.