The Benson Amps Germanium Boost is a Benson Amps boost pedal, currently around $199. Close alternatives include the Dallas Tuxedo Treble Booster and the Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion. It pairs well with the PRS Archon and the PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head.
Benson Amps Germanium Boost
Benson Amps · pedal
The Benson Amps Germanium Boost is a germanium transistor boost pedal providing clean volume amplification and subtle harmonic coloration from a warm germanium circuit character. Based on classic germanium-boost circuit designs from the late 1960s, it adds body and presence to a guitar signal without significant coloration. Works as a clean boost to drive an amp input stage into natural saturation or as a signal enhancer before other pedals. The warm, slightly compressed germanium character distinguishes it from modern silicon and op-amp boost alternatives. Handmade by Benson Amps in Portland, Oregon.
- boost
- germanium
- transistor
- subtle
- stage
- vintage
- saturation
- presence
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Benson Amps Germanium Boost is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Blues
- Country
- Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Benson Amps Germanium Boost
PRS Archon
PRS
27% matchPRS Archon leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head
PRS
27% matchInto a transparent tone, PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head brings the high gain it's missing
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings the high gain it's missing
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Friedman BE-Mini Head gives it high gain to fill it with
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchEVH 000's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 brings the high gain it's missing
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchRun Hughes & Kettner Coreblade into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchInto a transparent tone, Ceriatone 2202H brings the high gain it's missing
Pedals that stack with the Benson Amps Germanium Boost
Soldano SLO
Soldano
16% matchInto a transparent tone, Soldano SLO brings the high gain it's missing
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
15% matchZVEX Fuzz Factory's smooth balances out the bright tone
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Electro-Harmonix
12% matchPut Electro-Harmonix Small Stone after Benson Amps Germanium Boost in the signal chain, clear of Benson Amps Germanium Boost's own gain stage
CNZ Audio SCP-20
Cnz Audio
10% matchCNZ Audio SCP-20's own sustaining character is the real reason this is worth trying
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
8% matchEventide Modulated Delay's modulated voice goes after Benson Amps Germanium Boost in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Benson Amps Germanium Boost's own germanium character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
7% matchKeep Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte after Benson Amps Germanium Boost in the signal chain, clear of Benson Amps Germanium Boost's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Eclipse
Suhr
tonal matchBenson Amps Germanium Boost leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Suhr Eclipse wants
Beetronics OV-LE-Uva
Beetronics
tonal matchInto Benson Amps Germanium Boost, Beetronics OV-LE-Uva is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cheaper alternatives
Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium
Dunlop
69% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, sensitivity, compact
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Germanium
EarthQuaker Devices
68% similarityShared character: sensitivity, warm, vintage_charm
MXR Mdu JHM8
MXR
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Dunlop JIM Dunlop JH-M8 Jimi Hendrix Gypsy
Dunlop
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster
Dallas
74% similarityShared character: 1960s, sensitivity, signal
Benson Amps Germanium Preamp (Boost)
Benson Amps
70% similarityShared character: sensitivity, boost, treble
Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast
Hudson Electronics
69% similarityShared character: pedal, signal_chain, boost
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 →
Dallas Tuxedo Treble Booster
pedal
70% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, boost, presence
Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion
Fuzz Face
70% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, boost, alternative
Díaz Texas Ranger
Diaz
69% similarityShared character: 8_impedance, boost, treble
Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2
Caroline Guitar Company
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Catalinbread Silver Kiss Reissue
Catalinbread
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Spaceman Redstone
Spaceman
96% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Benson Amps Germanium Boost (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Benson Amps Germanium Boost?+
The closest matches in character are the Dallas Tuxedo Treble Booster, the Fuzz Face Dunlop Fuzz Face Distortion, the Díaz Texas Ranger. Budget picks: Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Germanium, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Germanium, MXR Mdu JHM8. Boutique upgrades: Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster, Benson Amps Germanium Preamp (Boost), Hudson Electronics Dual Broadcast.
What pairs well with the Benson Amps Germanium Boost?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS Archon, PRS DG Custom 30 David Grissom Signature 30W Head, Synergy SL2 Module — PRS Archon leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it.
How much does the Benson Amps Germanium Boost cost?+
Around $199 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Caroline Guitar Company Icarus V2
- vs Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation Germanium Fuzz/Booster
- vs Crazy Tube Circuits Constellation