A question often posed when scouring the ends of the Earth (or just the ends of the Internet) for the mythical ideal fuzz pedal is "germanium or silicon?" The debate is an old one, and it stems from the fact that the earliest fuzzes, like the original '60s era Tone Benders and Fuzz Faces, were built with germanium in their hearts. This was mostly because germanium transistors just happened to be what was around at the time, rather than because of any perceived sonic superiority. The semiconductor industry was still in its formative years, and germanium, a rather abundant element named by chemist Clemens Winkler for his mother country (Germany, in case you hadn't sorted that out yet) when he discovered it in 1886, was the standard of the day. Not too long after those first fuzz pedals made it into the hands of Hendrix and other early rock guitar trailblazers, though, the industry standard had changed, with extremely stable, consistent silicon transistors widely displacing the old, persnickety germanium models. Guitarists the world over were immediately enraged and the forums burned with the fire of their unbridled fury! Actually, no, that didn't happen. There were no forums, and everybody, including Hendrix, started using silicon-based fuzz pedals and went about the business of making music as they always had, but gradually, over the years, those in the know began to perceive the differences in tone and feel between germanium and silicon.
Though silicon transistors were easier to work with, their sound was edgier and seemed to emphasize the treble spectrum of the guitar's frequency range, and the attack was harder, more immediate, and responded less delicately to the guitar's volume knob. Germanium, despite minor drawbacks like expense and temperature sensitivity, was softer and squishier, kind of like an old tube amp, and emphasized warm midrange and bass frequencies. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, and both sound great in the context of a well-designed circuit, but nonetheless, thus began the Great Fuzz Schism that has so divided our people to this day. Fortunately, the germanium vs. silicon problem need not be an “either/or” proposition. A lot of people love and use both kinds, and as of late, many builders have unveiled fuzz pedals that make use of both varieties of transistors, harnessing the best properties of each in one mighty fuzz box that can do it all. Let's have a look at a handful of these germanium-silicon hybrids, and witness how these two competing tone generators can live together in harmonious matrimony.
EarthQuaker Hoof Fuzz
Jamie Stillman, founder of EarthQuaker, started his company while working a day job as The Black Keys tour manager, and his flagship pedal, The Hoof Fuzz, is based on Dan Auerbach's green Russian Big Muff. It diverges sharply from the standard Muff formula by employing a hybrid germanium-silicon design scheme, giving it the ability to generate warm, responsive drive tones as well as Muffy fuzz onslaught. It has the gain and cut of silicon and the amp-like qualities of germanium, plus a "Shift" knob that shapes the midrange for a huge variety of sounds.
Blackout Effectors Blunderbuss
This germanium-silicon hybrid traverses a tremendous amount of tonal territory, from organic drive, to crunchy distortion, to scooped fuzz filth. It's based on Blackout's well-loved Musket, an all silicon-based Muff variant, and features the same expansive tone control options, with three separate knobs dedicated to massaging its many curves and contours. It also sports an onboard clean boost in the form of its "Preamp" knob, as well as the usual gain and level controls. The Blunderbuss takes the Musket's "Ultimate Big Muff" concept to its logical end by adding the rich flavor of germanium to its complex sonic stew.
Bearfoot FX Candy Apple Fuzz
Bjorn Juhl of BJF Design and Mad Professor fame also designed this gnarly hybrid fuzz pedal, sold under the banner of Bearfoot FX, a collaboration between Juhl and Donner Rusk of Donnerbox. The Candy Apple Fuzz has all the meaty rip and roar that defines vintage germanium fuzz designs, including a sweet octave effect that tracks like magic all over the neck, but unlike vintage Ge fuzzes the CAF accepts a regular old 9v adapter (up to 18v, actually) and it won't get cranky about where it's placed in the signal chain. It's got mucho gain, but responds like a familiar lover to the gentle caress of the guitar's volume knob.
Mojo Hand FX Crosstown Fuzz
As one might expect given its name, the Crosstown Fuzz is a Fuzz Face-based circuit in the classic style, only instead of forcing us to choose between germanium or silicon, the Crosstown gives us both, as well as some handy tone-shaping tools. It can get aggressive and cutting, or fat and creamy using the Tone and Body controls, which govern treble and bass frequencies, respectively. These controls also let it work equally well with single-coils or humbuckers. The Crosstown remains stoic in the face of temperature variations and pedal order, and operates beautifully on a regular old 9v power supply.
Skreddy Hybrid Fuzz Driver
We at Tone Report Weekly have talked up the Skreddy Hybrid Fuzz Driver on a couple of other occasions, mostly because it rules, especially for humbucker aficionados. It makes use of an AC127 Ge transistor joined in heavenly matrimony with a duo of BC109C Si transistors, and the sound that results can be both fuzzy and drive-y, wooly and dynamically amp-like. It works with just about any setup, but it's been fine-tuned for humbucking pickups, with a clarity and focus in the low end that negates any possibility of tonal muddiness. The Hybrid Fuzz Driver can get very saturated while still allowing the distinct tone of the guitar and amp to shine through, unlike less nuanced fuzz pedals that will run through a rig like the proverbial bull in the china shop. It's capable of whipping up a crazy range of tones, from old-timey to modern.
Keeley Fuzz Head
This pedal is a classic in the Keeley lineup, and its switchable germanium-silicon characteristics and blend of smooth overdrive and fuzz tones make it a very flexible and useful pedal. It has simple controls, with a knob for gain and another for volume, and then a tiny, adorable toggle for switching between all-germanium mode, or germanium with a duo of silicon transistors added to the mix for more gain and sustain. Despite its name, the Fuzz Head's tightness and smooth voice lend it almost more of an overdrive quality than the typical squishy, woolly tone of a standard Fuzz Face circuit. The Keeley Fuzz Head is a great fuzz pedal for players that are on the fence about fuzz pedals. If you're one of those players, this could be your gateway drug.