JAM Pedals reboots its Germanium Limited Edition Fuzz Phrase - now with Philips Glass Bulb OC44 Transistors and wrapped in Black Suede

Previously the Limited Fuzz Phrase came with CV7003 Metal Can Transistors (which ran out) - and which are the MilSpec equivalents to the OC44 - which is a transistor most associated with the original Dallas RangeMaster Treble Booster. I personally marginally prefer the OC45 Transistors for the Fuzz Face circuit - but the OC44 is superb too - and has a lot in the lower register in particular.

This is such a pure circuit - with just 9 tone components, and using a cool tropical fish capacitor in the mix too, and some of those rarer brown metal film resistors. You can always guarantee superior fidelity and attention to detail with JAM Pedals. With the change in Transistors we also get a change in suede wrap - which is now black rather than the original purple - to match the colour of those Glass Bulb Transistors! Oh - and we further have different knobs - which I prefer also!

There’s not much more to say really - this is a fantastic version of a Type I Fuzz Face - with absolutely premium NOS Vintage Components and superior build quality - for a fuller flavour output. I already own over 100 Fuzz Faces - around half-and-half Germanium. I also really prefer to have an external Bias - as that’s such a significant part for me - for the output of this circuit.

The elephant in the room here is the price - this is understandably a pricey proposition - listed at £519 / €599 - so it’s a major investment piece. There won’t be many of these - only 15 on pre-release for subscribers, and then a further 30 being sent through to dealers. The OC44’s are of course incredibly limited - and production is wholly dependent on the availability of those components. Once those run out - that version will be discontinued too - until such a time JAM are able to source more OC44 / CV7003 Transistors - which are their preferred choice.

There will be a lot of naysayers decrying the high price here - but there are even dearer takes on this circuit out there - and you will need to decide for yourself as to what is affordable and worthy within your budget. OC44 circuits will always be pricey, while they’re not always necessarily at this high price. Times are tough these days in any case and I don’t begrudge JAM for their pricing strategy - they have every right to set their own price - and you must decide as to whether that fits within or outside your own threshold.

I’m personally still in two minds about this one - the high price and lack of external bias means it’s more unlikely for me - but I never say never - and there’s always space for one more killer Fuzz Face!

If you want one - you will need to be quick - as there are very few here that will be doing the rounds! The first 15 are available direct from JAM Pedals - and then there will be a relatively small quantity (30) at the leading JAM dealers.