The Death By Audio (DBA) Germanium Filter combines vintage germanium transistors with a flexible filter section.
The germanium circuit gives a softer, more compressed clipping than silicon.
It’s warmer at lower gain and woollier and more saturated as you push it. The filter section adds frequency response control on top. This lets you to shape the low end, scoop the mids, or push through the highs.
Two knobs, one genuine five star customer review, and a characteristic that’s interactive with your guitar volume control in a way silicon fuzzes often aren’t.
Controls
- Gain: Controls the gain of the germanium fuzz circuit from mild overdrive to heavy fuzz.
- Filter: Sweeps the frequency response — low-end heavy, scooped mids, or piercing highs.
Key Features
- Vintage germanium transistor fuzz circuit
- Flexible filter section for frequency response control
- Wide gain range — mild overdrive to heavy fuzz
- Interactive with guitar volume control
- True bypass
- 9V DC centre negative
- Lifetime warranty
- Handmade in Brooklyn, New York, USA
Power
9V DC centre negative. 5mA current draw.
Watch The Death By Audio Germanium Filter In Action
FAQs
Germanium transistors have a softer clipping characteristic than silicon. The transition from clean to distorted is more gradual, because germaium transistors “switch on” earlier, giving a warmer, more compressed quality at lower gain settings. At higher settings germanium tends toward a woollier, more saturated character. Germanium circuits are also typically more interactive with your guitar’s volume control.
It sweeps the frequency response of the fuzz output. From full low-end emphasis at one extreme through scooped mids to piercing highs at the other. It essentially acts as a tone control but with a wider and more dramatic effect than a standard tone pot.
Yes — true bypass throughout.
Yes.
9V DC centre-negative
Lifetime warranty. Contact Death By Audio at repairs@deathbyaudio.com for any issues.
Joe W (verified owner) –
It hasn’t left my board since I got it. Originally I planned to use it as a light overdrive, but found the cranked up fuzz sound you can get from it is far too good for that. It’s now my main fuzz sound.
If you set the filter knob around 10 o’clock, and the dirt knob at around 4-5 o’clock, it sounds unbelievable. I use it going into my Fender amp with light overdrive – with that combination, you get this awesome blown out speaker sounding fuzz that I’ve found to be unmatched by anything else I’ve heard.
If you roll back the dirt knob you can get a lot of tamer sounds too, and it always sounds great.
It’s actually very responsive to your picking, and even with the fuzz cranked, if you pick lightly it will really clean up.
Overall, if I had to pick just one pedal to have on my board, it would be this one. I’m super happy with it. It’s now my favourite fuzz tone.