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Average Price: $355

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

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High-end

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Description

The Wampler Germanium Tumnus is your gateway to the warm, vintage overdrive tones that have defined rock music for decades. This overdrive effects pedal combines the classic sound of germanium transistors with modern reliability, making it an essential tool for guitarists who crave that iconic, smooth overdrive sound. The pedal's circuitry offers a wide range of tonal possibilities, from subtle grit to full-on crunch, while preserving your guitar's original tone.

The germanium transistors provide a distinct, warm character often sought after in vintage gear, delivering a rich harmonic content and dynamic response. It's designed to be versatile, making it suitable for a variety of music styles, whether you're playing blues, rock, or anything in between. The Wampler Germanium Tumnus also features true bypass, ensuring your signal remains pure and unaltered when the pedal is not engaged.

Built with the gigging musician in mind, the pedal is housed in a sturdy enclosure, crafted to withstand the rigors of life on the road. Additionally, its compact size ensures it fits easily onto any pedalboard without sacrificing precious space.

Key Features:

  • Features classic germanium transistors for a warm, vintage overdrive sound
  • Offers a wide range of tonal options from subtle grit to full-on crunch
  • Preserves the original tone of your guitar
  • True bypass switching for pure signal integrity when not in use
  • Compact and durable design for easy integration into any pedalboard setup
  • Suitable for a variety of music styles, including blues and rock

Owner's manual

Wampler Germanium Tumnus User Manual

Product specs

Brand Wampler
Model Germanium Tumnus
Finish Alien Silver
Year 2023
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Color Family Silver
Pedal Format Mini

FAQs

What makes the Wampler Germanium Tumnus different from the original Tumnus pedal?

The Wampler Germanium Tumnus features germanium diodes, which provide a warmer, more vintage-inspired overdrive tone compared to the original Tumnus. This modification adds a unique character to the pedal, appealing to players seeking classic overdrive sounds.

Can the Wampler Germanium Tumnus be used as a clean boost?

Yes, the Wampler Germanium Tumnus can function as a clean boost. By keeping the gain low and increasing the volume, it can push your amp into natural overdrive while maintaining clarity and enhancing your guitar's tonal character.

Is the Wampler Germanium Tumnus suitable for high-gain tones?

While the Wampler Germanium Tumnus excels at low to medium-gain tones, it is not designed for high-gain distortion. It works best for boosting and adding warmth to your signal, making it ideal for blues, rock, and classic overdrive sounds.

Does the Wampler Germanium Tumnus work well with other pedals?

The Wampler Germanium Tumnus is known for stacking well with other pedals. It can complement other overdrives, distortions, and fuzzes by adding depth and richness to your overall sound, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard.

What power supply does the Wampler Germanium Tumnus require?

The Wampler Germanium Tumnus requires a standard 9V DC power supply with a center-negative polarity. It is important to use a high-quality power supply to ensure optimal performance and avoid noise issues.

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Wampler Tumnus Germanium - More Authentic Than Ever?

Video thumbnail for Wampler Tumnus Germanium - More Authentic Than Ever? by Andertons Music Co

Wampler Tumnus Germanium - More Authentic Than Ever?

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for The Germanium TUMNUS from Wampler - Limited Edition by Wampler Pedals

The Germanium TUMNUS from Wampler - Limited Edition

Wampler Pedals

Wampler Pedals

Video thumbnail for Wampler Germanium Tumnus Overdrive by R.J. Ronquillo

Wampler Germanium Tumnus Overdrive

R.J. Ronquillo

R.J. Ronquillo

Video thumbnail for Let's Test Wampler's BRAND NEW "Tumnus Germanium" Overdrive! by Peach Guitars

Let's Test Wampler's BRAND NEW "Tumnus Germanium" Overdrive!

Peach Guitars

Peach Guitars

Video thumbnail for Wampler: GERMANIUM TUMNUS by Brett Kingman

Wampler: GERMANIUM TUMNUS

Brett Kingman

Brett Kingman

Video thumbnail for The Mythical Overdrive Gets Germanium-ized! - Wampler Germanium Tumnus Overdrive by JayLeonardJ

The Mythical Overdrive Gets Germanium-ized! - Wampler Germanium Tumnus Overdrive

JayLeonardJ

JayLeonardJ

Video thumbnail for WAMPLER GERMANIUM TUMNUS by Mike Hermans

WAMPLER GERMANIUM TUMNUS

Mike Hermans

Mike Hermans

Video thumbnail for More like a real Klon? Wampler Tumnus Germanium by TL Toneworks

More like a real Klon? Wampler Tumnus Germanium

TL Toneworks

TL Toneworks

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile: effective as a boost, sweeter, and overdrive

  • Improves sound when stacked with other pedals like TS808

  • Compact form factor suits pedal boards well

  • Adds unique warmth and character to tone

  • Complements and enhances other pedals (e.g., Boss OD-20)

  • Sought after, retains value for potential resale

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Wampler Germanium Tumnus.

Features and functionality

  • The Germanium Tumnus has softer, more vintage tones compared to silicon diodes, described as 'creamy' and 'less aggressive'.

    Source
  • The pedal is favored for its aesthetic appeal, featuring dense red metal knobs and a silver chassis, setting it apart from typical Wampler designs.

    Source
  • The Germanium Tumnus is noted for its lower clipping threshold, making it more compressed at lower gain settings compared to silicon versions.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners note the pedal is particularly suited for tube amps, enhancing the 'presence' and 'personality' of the tone.

    Source
  • The Germanium Tumnus excels when paired with a Fender Deluxe Reverb and Orange Dual Dark, delivering articulate, crunchy tones with SG and Marr Jaguar guitars.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Germanium Tumnus is said to be more compressed and warmer than the original, offering a vintage feel without being overly sharp.

    Source
  • Users highlight that the Decibelics Golden Horse uses the same 1N34A Germanium diodes as the Limited Edition Tumnus, offering similar tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • Users found the Germanium Tumnus to produce silky smooth tones, contrasting with the Keeley Oxblood's medium gain distortion, suggesting potential issues if distortion occurs.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Germanium version is limited and often sells above retail, with prices reaching $500 on resale platforms.

    Source
  • The Decibelics Golden Horse, a comparable pedal, is often recommended as a cost-effective alternative to the Germanium Tumnus, especially for those outside North America.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users report that the Germanium Tumnus sounds best after warming up, adding a desired fatness to the tone.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the original Tumnus for its smoother drive and additional low-end response compared to the Germanium version.

    Source
  • Some owners express disappointment due to the lack of a Klon buffer, affecting smoothness and making it akin to a Bluesbreaker rather than a true Klon clone.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's noted that germanium diodes exhibit greater variability and temperature sensitivity, potentially affecting tone consistency.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Stacking the Germanium Tumnus with a Super Phat Mod for cleans or a Deco pedal for dirt is highly recommended for optimal tone versatility.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Wampler has made a new version of its wonderful Tumnus overdrive pedal – so is this Germanium version better or just different? | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Wampler Germanium Tumnus is a fresh take on the beloved Tumnus overdrive pedal, offering a distinct sound profile thanks to its germanium diodes. While it doesn't necessarily surpass the original gold Tumnus, it provides a different flavor with softer clipping and a warmer feel. The debate over whether this new version is worth its higher price rages on, with some users appreciating its closer resemblance to a Klon Centaur, while others might stick to the original for its treble bite. In the end, both versions are praised for their compact design and solid performance.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jay Leonard J uses Wampler Germanium Tumnus

Jay Leonard J

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Jay Leonard J demonstrates the Germanium Tumnus from Wampler.

See how Shawn Tubbs uses Wampler Germanium Tumnus

Shawn Tubbs

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Shawn Tubbs demos and reviews the limited Germanium Tumnus from Wampler.

See how Jamie Humphries uses Wampler Germanium Tumnus

Jamie Humphries

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video of Jamie Humphries, a Tumnus Germanium is seen on his traveling tour board. He says at 5:48:

Then we have the Tumnus. Now, I wanted to have a drive pedal because I wanted to treat this almost like my big rig so that I have a physical drive. And I also thought there was something nice and organic about having a drive before the ToneX. Now, we tested different pedals because I was a little bit worried s there's a big portion of Brian May in this gig. I'm also going to be using a Red Special or my Music Man Hybrid Red Special that has a um a treble booster built into it. So, we tested a lot of different pedals and I tried many different things and I found that having not just a clean boost, having the Tumnus really worked. I find that the Tumnus is just one of those pedals that you put it in front of anything and it sounds great.

B

Brett Kingman

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Brett Kingman reviews the Tumnus Germanium from Wampler.

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 Wampler Germanium Tumnus, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

Show yours
michael

michael

Gear IQ 42245

2 alternative and related items for Wampler Germanium Tumnus, curated by the Equipboard community.

Wampler Germanium Tumnus Deluxe

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similar sound mod

The Germanium Tumnus Deluxe is built on the same circuit, but has expanded controls.

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    michael
    michael

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