Jam Pedals - Black Fuzz Phrase LTD Limited Edition Germanium Fuzz with NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass Transistors

Black Fuzz Phrase LTD

Limited Edition Germanium Fuzz with NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass Transistors

We’re thrilled to unveil the Black Fuzz Phrase LTD, built around a rare stash of NOS OC44 Philips black glass transistors we recently unearthed. Entirely hand-wired

with turret-based point-to-point construction and wrapped in luxurious suede, this fuzz is a loving tribute to the golden era of germanium tone—picking up right

where our sold-out CV7003 Fuzz Phrase LTD left off.

Why NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass?

At the heart of every great germanium fuzz lie its transistors—and few are as legendary as the OC44. Manufactured in the late 1960s at Philips’ French facilities, these black glass versions are considered among the finest ever made. This batch, dated April 18, 1969, comes from the twilight era of germanium transistor production, shortly before Philips and the wider industry shifted to silicon-based designs.

What makes these transistors so revered?

• Exceptionally low leakage

• Stable, musical gain (hFE)

• Minimal noise

These characteristics make them ideal for dynamic, vintage-voiced fuzz circuits. From warm saturation to articulate volume-rolloff cleans, they deliver expressive tones with inspiring responsiveness.

CONTROLS

1. Level: Adjusts the overall output volume of the pedal.

2. Gain: Sets the amount of fuzz and sustain. Turn clockwise for more saturation.

3. Internal Bias Trimmer (factory-set): Adjusts the transistor bias voltage. Pre-set at 4.5V for optimal performance using the supplied OC44 Philips black glass transistors. Due to their exceptional stability, no adjustment is typically necessary. Fine-tuning is only recommended if subtle tonal changes are desired.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

1. Power Supply: 9V DC, center-negative

2. Battery: 9V battery (installed via back panel)

3. Current Draw: ~3mA

4. Important: This is a positive-ground circuit

5. Do not daisy-chain with standard negative-ground pedals

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Bypass: True Bypass

2. Power: 9V battery or isolated 9V DC center-negative (power supply not included)

3. Power Consumption: ~3mA

4. Enclosure Dimensions: 7.7 × 12.5 × 6.6 cm (3 × 4.9 × 2.6 in)

5. Weight: ~300g (0.66 lb)

USAGE TIPS

1. For cleaner tones, roll back your guitar’s volume. The pedal cleans up naturally and musically.

2. Best used early in your signal chain, especially before buffered pedals.