Benson Amps Germanium Preamp

www.bensonamps.com/
Not long after Benson released their Germanium Boost, players quickly realized they could add a temperature controlled Ge transistor gain stage to any amp-in-a-box, including the original Benson Preamp. This sparked the idea of marring the two circuits somehow...
After two years of testing and prototyping, their best results came from replacing the first FET in the Preamp with this servo-controlled Ge stage. The flavor is much smoother, rounder and overall less gain which makes finding sweet spots much easier. With Germanium comes its own mellow coloration and subtle compression, so fans of playing into clean pedal platforms with immediately notice a less strident tone.
Of course, you still have all the flexibility of both low and high-pass filters plus lots of output to push any tube amp into overdrive.
The Ge Preamp is made in Portland, OR and can be spotted by its Mint Green finish. Check it out at BensonAmps.com
Find me on Instagram: / pdxandyguitar
Website: andydemos.com/
Gear in Video
Amp: Carr Bel-Ray Combo www.carramps.com/bel-ray
Guitars: Seuf OH-20, Redtail ‘59 Goldtop, Godin Montreal Premiere, Suhr Classic Antique (Radioshop HSS Evolution pickups)
Recording Gear: Universal Audio Apollo 8 QUAD, Royer R-121 Mic, Sovtek Mk-219
Drums: Stefan Pötzsch
Strings: StringJoy Signature 10-46 tinyurl.com/StringjoyAndy
Cables: Evidence SIS & Revelation Guitar Cables
#BensonAmps #andydemos #effectspedals

[@seanbatterberry]

Feel like I’ve been watching you demo pedals for 20 years 😂 Like a fine wine, Andy, you just get better with age 🤘🏻

[@mikedr1549]

I don't care if it's made with Kryptonite - that tone is to die for.

[@Danielwilkinson]

Thanks for comparing the old and the new for context 🤍

[@gavinj918]

Nice work again Andy. Thanks for the back to back between the two versions. (Still loving my original)

[@bradleyshuppert3393]

Andy could sell Ketchup popsicles on a 100 degree day to ladies wearing white dresses……he is THAT good!!!!

[@TheRodge2112]

I own this pedal and really like it. Very open with just enough mids to give nice clarity. Dirty and a tad "loose" but has a certain sag/compression that makes digging in very satisfying. Also stacks like a champ. I shot it out against the original benson preamp--and MANY other dirt pedals--and always come back to it.

[@frankbennett3075]

Stop tricking me into thinking you’re playing with a pick! I fall for it every time! 🙃

[@g.marion5888]

Awesome demo, Andy, sounds sweet:)

[@benedekgabor.]

Wow. I didn’t thought that I will like the tone so much.

[@edadpops1709]

I like it .sweet tones

[@jorgk.914]

Super Andy 🤘

[@albertoz5450]

Maybe i've said this in a past comment, but Andy is a Great riffs machine man

[@rickard9294]

This pedal sounds really good in my opinion.

[@wolfsoto]

The Benson Germanium Preamp is amazing I can get any from a fuzz face to Big Muff to a super smooth overdrive. I had one before and loved it but the addition of a Germanium transistor was a game changer and added warmth, Richness and plenty of grit. It gives the guitar a huge sound. They did it right this time.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Andy ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@sassycat]

There's just something about Germanium's warm and wooly tone that just hits those spots for me. Going to end up with a Benson board before too much longer. 😺👍

[@druwk]

Can definitely hear the differences between the two. Interesting to hear the Germanium at the heads and tails of the post in a band context. The squishiness puts it in the background, which can be perfect if there’s a singer in there?

[@whiskybravo4648]

Heck yeah!

[@tonyz4292]

Need to dial the gas hotline after watching this one

[@dww0902]

If I were a guitar player, this is a pedal I would want.