Catalinbread Fuzzrite Germanium: Rare ’60s fuzz recreated
Based on a rare late '60s Mosrite fuzz
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The Catalinbread Fuzzrite Germanium is their latest take on a vintage Mosrite pedal. The original was built between 1966 to 1968, one fitted with silicon transistors, the other with germanium components. This modern recreation is based on the latter rare version of the two fuzz pedals.
Catalinbread Fuzzrite Germanium
This Catalinbread Fuzzrite Germanium follows on from their existing silicon-equipped Fuzzrite clone. As the name suggests this version is all about the germanium components, so expect a somewhat smoother fuzz tone. Out of the two original Mosrite fuzz units, the germanium model is the rarer of the designs. Making this new modern-day recreation a welcome addition to the Catalinbread fuzz pedal lineup.
Mosrite employee Ed Sanner estimates that around 250 germanium models were produced between 1966 and 1968 which makes it a desirable pedal.
Based on the rare germanium Mosrite fuzz pedal · Source: Catalinbread
Vintage vs Modern
Catalinbread’s Fuzzrite Germanium uses two NOS PNP germanium semiconductors. They have also added a toggle switch that goes between a traditional Vintage style fuzz, or a more Modern mode. The latter M setting has a beefed-up low-end character, which modern players should be more familiar with. However, if you want the classic late sixties tone, then stick to the V setting.
Germanium Fuzz with voltage-starved, gated tones · Source: Catlinbread
Two Knobs
Elsewhere you get Volume and Depth control knobs. Volume sets the overall output of the effect and the Depth knob then mixes in a second transistor gain stage with the first. Providing you what Catalainbread describes as the “heart of the pedal”. When set hard left it uses just the first transistor by itself, for a clean and fat tone. Dial it to the right and things get progressively dirtier as the second transistor kicks in. It will start to produce voltage-starved, gated tones with hints of what Catalinbread describes as “pseudo ring mod-style upper octave harmonics”.
MSRP – USD 179.99/EUR 219 *
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