Fulltone OCD Ge Germanium

The Fulltone OCD Ge is the logical addition to one of the most widely used overdrives this century. The OCD is special because it uses a pair of MOSFETs whose clipping configuration is tied to a reference voltage — not earth, like most others.

This gives more dynamics in the overdrive. It cleans up well when you roll back the volume, and it responds to pick attack in a way that standard diode-clipped overdrives simply don’t.

The OCD Germanium (OCD-Ge) is in essence the Custom Shop version — reminiscent of the first OCDs that used germanium in the clipping stage.

As we all know, germanium diodes became hard to find and expensive, so production specs were changed. Fulltone have now sourced a supply of the right specification germanium diodes, and thus we have the OCD-Ge.

The Ge version retains the two MOSFETs but adds two matched germanium diodes to the clipping circuit, along with a few other tweaks to make the pedal as good as it can be.

Germanium makes a natural difference to the sound. It softens the clipping, widens the dynamic range, and makes the knee from clean to clipped feel more gradual — more like how a valve amp distorts. Octave-up overtones are also enhanced.

The Audio taper volume pot is specific to the Ge version, giving finer control at lower levels because the Ge runs a touch hotter than the regular OCD. Higher-frequency content is a bit sweeter too — more clarity without harshness when the Tone control is turned up.

Fulltone OCD Ge vs Standard OCD — What’s Different?

The current V2 OCD has two clipping MOSFETs and no diodes. It’s an excellent overdrive and deserves its reputation.

The OCD-Ge adds two matched Germanium diodes to the clipping stage. The Germanium diodes don’t replace the MOSFETs — they work alongside them. The revised circuitry also allows a little more top end through, and the Audio taper pot manages the slightly higher output level well.

All of this means noticeably more dynamic range, more sustain, a more focused single-note tone, and a more valve-like overall feel.

Running the OCD-Ge at 18V gives a different sound again — noticeably more dynamic range, clarity, and headroom. The CIOKS DC7 v2’s or the Sol’s selectable voltage outputs (9V, 12V, 15V, or 18V per outlet) make it ideal for exactly this.

Controls

• Drive: Controls the amount of gain into the circuit. The OCD-Ge can boost without significantly altering your base tone at low Drive settings, and the Drive control interacts naturally with your guitar’s volume control — roll back the guitar’s volume and the sound cleans up in a way that’s unusually authentic.
• Volume: Controls the output level. Approximately 20dB of available gain — more in HP mode. Unity gain often falls around 10 o’clock.
• Tone: Affects only the high frequencies — the low-frequency character is set by the circuit itself. Noon is approximately neutral. Counterclockwise for smoother lead tones, clockwise for more cut and a less compressed feel.
• HP/LP switch: A fundamentally important control that’s often overlooked.
  • High Peak (HP): Increases gain and brings up the midrange for a more British voicing — suited to Marshall and Vox-style amplifiers and higher-gain playing.
  • Low Peak (LP): Gives maximum transparency to your guitar and amplifier’s character with very little colouration. Ideal for clean boosting Fender and Tweed-style amplifiers.
• Bypass: Internally switchable between True Bypass and Enhanced Bypass. Factory set to Enhanced Bypass — Fulltone’s proprietary buffered bypass system. True Bypass is selectable inside the pedal if preferred.

Key Features

• Custom Shop limited edition — not a standard production model
• Clipping circuit: 2 x MOSFETs plus 2 x matched Germanium diodes
• JFET op-amp gain stage
• Audio taper volume pot specific to OCD-Ge — finer control at lower levels
• Open high-frequency response — more clarity without harshness
• HP/LP voicing switch — mid-forward British character or clean, transparent boost
• Internally switchable True Bypass or Enhanced Bypass
• Runs on 9V to 18V DC (battery included) — 18V increases dynamic range and clarity
• Current draw: approximately 8mA
• Input impedance: 1 megaohm
• Output impedance: 10k ohms
• Metallic teal finish with chrome undercoat — Blue LED
• 5-year limited warranty
• Made in the USA

Who Is This For?

The OCD-Ge suits all players — the OCD circuit at its most dynamic and valve-like, and of course a Custom Shop collector’s piece in its own right.

If you already own a standard OCD and play it regularly, the Ge is meaningfully different rather than marginally so. If you’ve never tried an OCD, this is the best it’s ever sounded.

Watch It In Action

FAQs