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Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD

$88.00 to $168.00 Price Tier: Standard

3.0 (8)

3 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD

6 wishlisted

24 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.5 (4)

$88.00

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4.0 (14)

$168.00 4 available Used

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5.0 (6)

$88.00

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£79.00

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Average Price: $120

Standard/Professional

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Introducing the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD, your ticket to the authentic 60's distortion sound that every discerning guitarist craves. This overdrive effects pedal is more than just a throwback; it's a tool to shape and color your sound with the classic warmth of germanium transistors.

Not only does it offer the coveted vintage germanium overdrive, but it also presents an innovative approach to adjustments with its top-placed controls for Gain, Bias, and Volts. No need to fumble inside the case; everything you need is right at your fingertips.

The Bias control brings a new level of emphasis to your sound, while the Volts control replicates the unique tone produced when a battery's voltage dips. This gives you the power to recreate that slightly torn speaker sound or go all-out for total Germanium satisfaction.

This pedal goes beyond just delivering excellent sound. It also boasts true bypass switching, an LED on/off indicator, and a rugged die-cast chassis that can withstand the rigors of the road. All in all, the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD is a versatile and reliable tool for any guitar player looking to add a touch of vintage charm to their sound.

Key Features:

Classic 60's distortion based on the germanium transistor
Top-placed Gain, Bias, and Volts controls for easy adjustments
Bias control for added emphasis
Volts control mimics the unique sound produced when a battery's voltage dips
True bypass switching
LED on/off indicator
Compact and rugged die-cast chassis

Product specs

Brand	Electro-Harmonix
Model	Germanium OD Overdrive
Finish	Black / Yellow / White
Year	2008 - 2025
Categories	Distortion Pedals, Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of overdrive can I expect from the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD?: The Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD delivers a warm, vintage-style overdrive thanks to its germanium transistors, which are known for producing smooth, dynamic tones with a subtle, natural breakup.
Does the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD is designed to complement both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering a versatile range of overdrive tones suitable for various guitar types.
Can the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD be powered by a standard 9V power supply?: Yes, the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD can be powered using a standard 9V DC power supply, making it easy to integrate into most pedalboard setups.
How does the Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD compare to other overdrive pedals?: The Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD stands out for its use of germanium transistors, which provide a unique, vintage-inspired tone that is warmer and more dynamic compared to many silicon-based overdrive pedals.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Electro Harmonix Germanium OD Overdrive Pedal

ProGuitarShopDemos

Electro-Harmonix Germanium OD Overdrive Pedal (Demo by Dan Miller)

EHX

Electro-Harmonix Germanium OD Overdrive Pedal (Demo by Michael Leonhart)

EHX

Electro-Harmonix Germanium OD - How does it sound?

Audiofanzine in English

Electro Harmonix Germanium OD

roknfnrol

Electro Harmonix GERMANIUM OD // Dying Battery Controlled Overdrive

Fritz's Guitars

Electro Harmonix Germanium OD demo with Les Paul

WESTBALL FAMILY

Reviews

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PROS

Adds a unique 60's/70's garage rock vibe
Touch-sensitive overdrive that cleans up with guitar volume adjustment
Compatible with a variety of guitars for different tones
Can brighten up the high end without sacrificing analog signal integrity
Offers a "tube-like" character with unique saturation and breakup
Useful for “dirtying” digital keyboards, versatile beyond guitar
Provides a distinct, vintage grit/"hair" to bass tones without losing depth
Minimal noise; "muted hiss" rather than noisy hum
Encourages experimentation with bias and volts knobs for creative tones
Enhances clarity and adds a cool, "old sound" tonality

CONS

Requires significant time and experimentation to find desired sound
No EQ settings, limited interface
Considered not very versatile by some users
Some find it only as good as the amp it's paired with
Viewed by some as a "gimmick device" with limited functionality
Price may be high considering perceived functionality and alternatives

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD.

Features and functionality

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The Electro-Harmonix XO Germanium OD lacks a volume control, making it challenging to integrate with other pedals without affecting overall volume balance.
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Optimal grit is achieved by adjusting the bias up to the sputtering point and then slightly backing off, with voltage affecting note thickness.
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Known for producing 70s punk tones when bias and voltage are set correctly, offering a niche sound not commonly found in other pedals.
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User experience

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Owners experience dead spots in the bias and voltage sweep, similar to a gated fuzz, where extreme settings can render the pedal silent.
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The Germanium OD can significantly expand the range of a guitar's volume controls, allowing for extensive dynamic variation from clean to distorted tones.
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Some users report the pedal functioning almost like a pre-amp due to its high volume output, which could be beneficial for certain amplifier setups.
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It's a pedal that some users have sold and repurchased, indicating a strong attachment to its unique sound capabilities.
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Use cases and applications

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The pedal is favored for its ability to produce unique clean/cleanish textures, even with humbuckers, offering sounds not typically achievable with standard setups.
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The pedal is described as impractical for live use due to volume discrepancies when switching on/off, unless used consistently throughout a performance.
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Despite being a guitar pedal, it delivers exceptional performance on bass, making it a versatile addition for bass players seeking unique tones.
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Setup and maintenance

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Users find it challenging to dial in tones, with minor knob adjustments significantly altering the sound, and sometimes causing interference like picking up AM radio.
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3.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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1 star

jimmarchi1

41029

over 8 years ago

not sure why i bought this

this is a pretty generic sounding dirt box until you screw with the bias control and the volts knob which seems to be some sort of voltage starve/transistor jackassery going on, then its full of 'bad' tones that just might make you feel good. Someone else said "only as good as your amp' and that's true. Mostly a gimmick device. It must have really tickled me in the store because I think I bought this new at full price a while back!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Genres:

Electronic Orchestra Alternative rock

jimmarchi1

41029

8 years ago almost 8 years ago

traded

scramblersfan

over 8 years ago

Another EHX Oddity that's only as good as your amp- dead battery emulator

Germanium is a bit of a buzzword for the "vintage tone" hungry guitarist, the organic mystique and temperamental nature of the germanium clipping has elevated it above more reliable silicon clipping. But here I can say for certain it's just a it of a gimmick, the germanium OD is a functional dirt box for emulating battery death or smashing an already cranked amp with weird clipped sounds. The biasing can work like a gate but the weird squanky peaks of the distorted signal aren't as nearly as functional as just using a good gate pedal. By leaving it open and cranking the gain you can achieve a noisy boost but with so many solid clean boosts on the market there's not a whole lot of point. My unit cost $130 USD which was considerable cash and I saw it going as high as $300 at other stores in my area which seems ludicrous when a DS1 is only 40 bucks and has greatly increased functionality.

Genres:

Rock Jazz Art rock

marctremors

121

over 10 years ago

Cool Little Overdrive

This little guy is pretty cool as far as overdrives go, it has your typical gain knob, but that's about as traditional as it gets. The volts knob is essentially the volume however the way it works is as its rolled all the way to the right you get your full 9 volts, roll it to the left and suddenly the magic starts to happen its starts sputtering because its providing minimal power to the pedal, this achieves a great Jack White tone. This pedal does take some time to play around with to find the sweet spot with the bias dial, which allows you to control how emphasized that sputtering effect becomes. I personally love to run this at the end of my gain pedal chain and I use it mostly in conjunction with my HomeBrew Electronics Fuzz, combined this two pedals create an amazing effect.