The Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz is a Benson Amps fuzz pedal, currently around $199. Close alternatives include the Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII and the Benson Amps Stonk BOX. It pairs well with the Friedman BE-Mini Head and the Synergy SL2 Module.
Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz
Benson Amps · pedal
The Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz is a discontinued germanium transistor fuzz pedal from Portland-based Benson Amps, producing the warm, organic fuzz character associated with vintage germanium transistors from the mid-1960s. The circuit delivers a smooth, sag-prone fuzz with natural compression and an organic sustain distinct from silicon fuzz designs. Temperature-sensitive germanium transistors require a warm-up period for optimal performance and can drift in cold outdoor conditions. Now discontinued and superseded by the Stonk Box, which adds automatic thermal bias regulation to address the temperature sensitivity inherent to germanium designs.
- organic
- transistor
- sensitivity
- germanium
- sag
- vintage
- blues rock
- silicon
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz is commonly used in
- Blues Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Classic Rock
- Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Americana
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman BE-Mini Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchSynergy SL2 Module stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchHughes & Kettner Warp 7 stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head
Hiwatt
tonal matchHiwatt Hi-Gain 100W Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head
Peavey
tonal matchPeavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
ENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766
Engl
tonal matchENGL Marty Friedman Inferno E766 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Coreblade for more high gain on top
Pedals that stack with the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz
Wren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz
Wren And Cuff
21% matchWren and Cuff Box of War Small Foot Fuzz stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
21% matchSuhr Rufus Reloaded layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase
MXR
13% matchPut MXR ZW90 Wylde Phase after Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz in the signal chain, clear of Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz's own gain stage
Wren and Cuff Gold Comp
Wren And Cuff
10% matchWren and Cuff Gold Comp's germanium voice suits Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz's own germanium character
Red Witch Titan
Red Witch
7% matchKeep Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz's germanium voice out front: Red Witch Titan goes after Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Fjord Fuzz Mime
Fjord Fuzz
6% matchKeep Fjord Fuzz Mime after Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz in the signal chain, clear of Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBenson Amps Germanium Fuzz leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz wants
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchElectro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Germanium
EarthQuaker Devices
71% similarityShared character: sensitivity, circuit, classic_rock
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Hybrid Fuzz
EarthQuaker Devices
70% similarityShared character: middle, classic_rock, distortion
EarthQuaker Devices Erupter
EarthQuaker Devices
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Dunlop JIM Dunlop JH-M8 Jimi Hendrix Gypsy
Dunlop
96% similaritysimilar tone character
MXR Mdu JHM8
MXR
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
72% similarityShared character: sensitivity, singing, pick_attack
Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation Germanium Fuzz/Booster
Crazy Tube Circuits
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation
Crazy Tube Circuits
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII
Sola Sound
70% similarityShared character: sensitivity, classic_rock, stage
Benson Amps Stonk BOX
Benson Amps
70% similarity“The Benson Amps Stonk Box is a germanium fuzz pedal based on the Mk1 Tone Bender circuit”
JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender
JHS Pedals
70% similarityShared character: sag, sensitivity, circuit
JHS Fuzz Mary-K
JHS Pedals
69% similarityShared character: sag, sensitivity, pick_attack
Dunlop Joe Bonamassa Fuzz Face JB-F3 Copper Top
Dunlop
69% similarityShared character: alternative, sustain, warm
JHS Pollinator
JHS Pedals
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz?+
The closest matches in character are the Sola Sound Tone Bender MkII, the Benson Amps Stonk BOX, the JHS Pedals JHS 1966 Italy Tone Bender. Budget picks: EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Germanium, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Hybrid Fuzz, EarthQuaker Devices Erupter. Boutique upgrades: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation Germanium Fuzz/Booster, Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation.
What pairs well with the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman BE-Mini Head, Synergy SL2 Module, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 — Friedman BE-Mini Head stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here.
How much does the Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz cost?+
Around $199 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs JHS Pollinator
- vs Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation Germanium Fuzz/Booster
- vs Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation