Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Amazon
4.7 (5)
$225.00
Reverb
5.0 (7)
$225.00 New
$160.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$225.00
Thomann
4.4 (7)
$259.00
Gear4Music
£235.00

Average Price: $220

High-end/Boutique

$80

$181+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Death By Audio Germanium Filter". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash a sonic storm with the Death By Audio Germanium Filter, a distortion effects pedal that delivers a rich tapestry of fuzz and drive, reminiscent of the classic recording consoles of yesteryear. Built around a specially matched pair of obsolete Russian germanium transistors from the 1960s, this pedal provides an authentic vintage touch, offering a unique tonal palette that ranges from a gentle dirt boost to a ferocious 'sawing' fuzz. The innovative filter section is designed to offer you a versatile range of frequencies, from subwoofer-like lows to searing highs, allowing for precise tone shaping.

Crafted with true bypass and housed in a robust metal enclosure, the Germanium Filter ensures your signal remains uncolored when not engaged. The pedal's intuitive controls—Filter and Gain—offer a seamless transition from clean to dirty, allowing you to find your instrument's sweet spot in any setting. An internal trim control provides additional output volume customization, making sure your sound is just as you envision it.

Whether you're seeking to add a touch of grit or unleash a wall of fuzz, the Death By Audio Germanium Filter stands as a testament to innovative pedal design, offering unparalleled flexibility and power. This pedal is not just a tool; it's a canvas for your sonic creativity.

Key Features:

  • Distortion/Filter pedal with console-style drive circuitry
  • Incorporates specially matched Russian germanium transistors
  • Wide gain range from dirt boost to intense fuzz
  • Versatile filter section for boosted and attenuated frequencies
  • True bypass with a sturdy metal housing
  • Controls: Filter (heavy to high), Gain (clean to dirty)
  • Internal trim control for output volume adjustment
  • Input and output: 6.3 mm jack
  • Power: 9 V battery or DC adapter (not included)
  • Handmade in New York City, USA

Product specs

Brand Death By Audio
Model Germanium Filter
Finish Gold / Black
Year 2022 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Distortion Pedals, Filter and Wah Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

How does the Death By Audio Germanium Filter's gain control affect the sound?

The gain control on the Death By Audio Germanium Filter ranges from mild overdrive to intense fuzz. It interacts dynamically with your guitar’s volume, allowing for a wide spectrum of distortion tones.

What kind of tonal characteristics can I expect from the Death By Audio Germanium Filter?

The Germanium Filter offers a wide frequency response with huge low end, scooped mids, and sharp, piercing highs, making it versatile for various musical styles.

Is the Death By Audio Germanium Filter suitable for bass guitar?

Yes, the Germanium Filter can be used with bass guitars, thanks to its wide frequency range and ability to provide a substantial low-end response.

What is the purpose of the internal volume control on the Death By Audio Germanium Filter?

The internal volume control adjusts the overall output level of the pedal, allowing you to set your desired output volume without affecting the gain or filter settings.

Does the Death By Audio Germanium Filter work well with other pedals?

The Germanium Filter can be effectively used in combination with other pedals, offering flexibility in shaping your overall sound when integrated into a pedalboard setup.

Death By Audio

Death By Audio

The Death By Audio Germanium Filter

Video thumbnail for The Death By Audio Germanium Filter by Death By Audio

The Death By Audio Germanium Filter

Death By Audio

Death By Audio

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio - Germanium Filter by AndyDemos

Death By Audio - Germanium Filter

AndyDemos

AndyDemos

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter - Riff & Run Demo by The Pedal Zone

Death By Audio Germanium Filter - Riff & Run Demo

The Pedal Zone

The Pedal Zone

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter Demo | First Look by Premier Guitar

Death By Audio Germanium Filter Demo | First Look

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Death by Audio: GERMANIUM FILTER by Brett Kingman

Death by Audio: GERMANIUM FILTER

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for Death by Audio Germanium Filter Demo: Vintage Tones for Days by Get Offset

Death by Audio Germanium Filter Demo: Vintage Tones for Days

Get Offset

Get Offset

Video thumbnail for This Pedal Nearly BLEW UP My Amp! | Death By Audio Germanium Filter by Jackson Brooksby

This Pedal Nearly BLEW UP My Amp! | Death By Audio Germanium Filter

Jackson Brooksby

Jackson Brooksby

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter by World Of Music

Death By Audio Germanium Filter

World Of Music

World Of Music

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter by Pedal of the Day

Death By Audio Germanium Filter

Pedal of the Day

Pedal of the Day

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio - Germanium Filter Distortion (Guitar/Synth Demo) by Sound Isles

Death By Audio - Germanium Filter Distortion (Guitar/Synth Demo)

Sound Isles

Sound Isles

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter w/ Graham Tichy by Collar City Guitars

Death By Audio Germanium Filter w/ Graham Tichy

Collar City Guitars

Collar City Guitars

Video thumbnail for Death By Audio Germanium Filter - our favorite DBA pedal by We As A Company

Death By Audio Germanium Filter - our favorite DBA pedal

We As A Company

We As A Company

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique germanium fuzz sound adds a new dimension to guitar tones

  • Filter control offers total sound transformation

  • Capable of a wide range of tones, from heavy bass to cutting highs

  • Versatile; can be used as a booster or always-on pedal for added depth

  • Dynamic response allows for expressive play, from clean boosts to fuzzy overdrive

  • Compatible with both single-coil and humbucker-equipped guitars

  • High-quality, robust, handcrafted design

  • Internal master volume trimmer for precise volume control

CONS

  • Requires a power supply with isolated grounding to avoid noise issues

  • May produce unwanted noise, especially in the high mids

  • Prone to feedback in challenging performance environments

  • Always-on nature of the pedal means a clean bypass is not possible

  • Initial setup may require additional investment to mitigate noise and feedback issues

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Death By Audio Germanium Filter.

Features and functionality

  • The pedal uses obsolete germanium transistors for its distinct, intense sound with a "starved battery" effect, emulating vintage fuzz tones.

    Source
  • The filter is described as a console-style drive with an intense DBA-style filter, providing a heavy, cutting sound.

    Source
  • The pedal likely utilizes a darlington configuration for its transistors, contributing to its unique fuzz characteristics.

    Source
  • The transistors used are MP10B, which are NPN with low hFE, influencing the pedal's overall tone and response.

    Source
  • The internal trimpot can be adjusted to manage the pedal's high output volume, which can be excessive with certain amp setups.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The DBA Germanium Filter is compared to the EHX Germanium OD, with some users preferring the latter for its tone and pricing.

    Source
  • A comparison was made to a potential two-transistor amplifier with a baxandall network, suggesting a complex tonal shaping.

    Source
  • Compared with other fuzz pedals, the Germanium Filter is favored for its versatility and ability to meet diverse fuzz needs.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Some users appreciate the pedal's lo-fi, noise-centric characteristics, aligning it with alternative and experimental music styles.

    Source
  • The pedal excels in garage rock and prog/psych rock, delivering a low-gain OD/boost and a smooth clean-fuzz with specific knob settings.

    Source
  • Acts as a treble booster to brighten a dark gain channel on amps like the Orange Crush, enhancing vintage tones.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite its unique sound, the $225 price tag is considered high for a pedal that some describe as a basic fuzz circuit with voltage sag.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Dirtboxlayouts provides a schematic for those looking to replicate or modify the Germanium Filter's circuit design.

    Source

User experience

  • Users find the pedal particularly effective when paired with an Orange Rocker 15, creating a saturated and aggressive vintage tone.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Rolling back the guitar's volume knob helps manage the pedal's loud output, making it more suitable for amps with high headroom.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Death By Audio Germanium Filter Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Death By Audio Germanium Filter is a sonic playground packed with wild fuzz and distortion options that inspire creativity. Its unique germanium circuitry provides impressive dynamic range and versatility, making it a valuable addition to any pedalboard. However, the internal master-volume trimpot can be inconvenient, and the pedal tends to get noisy at higher gain levels. While the focus on drive tones may not cater to all tastes—especially those seeking transparency—its punchy output and quirky character will undoubtedly appeal to adventurous players looking to push their sound boundaries. A worthwhile investment for those ready to explore its eccentricities.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
tomisfer

Amazing tones

Absolutely spectacular! Thick germanium fuzz with crispy cleans! Boost, OD, fuzz and distortion.

jk47
jk47

266

Bad-ass/versatile

This was my first death by audio pedal, but not my last. I am getting some amazing heavy and dirty sounds! Less like metal and more like vintage distortion. Also a clean glassy tone that is similar to a cranked fuzz with the guitar’s volume cut. And a ton in between!

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

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See how Takashi Asano uses Death By Audio Germanium Filter

Takashi Asano

Guitarist, Bassist

...
Verified

Showed on a pic on his twitter, mentioning that he loves its sound

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Death By Audio Germanium Filter, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

challicenoise

challicenoise

Gear IQ 90

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