eBay

Sweetwater is an Authorized Benson Amps Dealer

Genuine Open Box Item
Sweetwater's 2-year warranty*

Benson Amps Germanium Preamp Pedal

Germanium-based Preamp/Overdrive/Boost/Fuzz Pedal with 2-band EQ

A Germanium Spin on Benson Amp’s Classic Preamp Pedal

The Benson Amps Germanium Preamp Pedal answers a simple question: What if Benson Amp’s modern-classic Preamp pedal featured the warm, dynamic, and utterly vintage-tinged sound of a germanium gain stage? Unsurprisingly, the answer is “incredible,” as the Benson Amps Germanium Preamp pedal offers a richer and less gain-heavy flavor compared to its FET-transistor-equipped predecessor. Besides this pedal’s Germanium-based gain stage — borrowed from Benson Amps’ Germanium Boost pedal — the Germanium Preamp is nearly identical to the standard Preamp pedal, delivering the same pleasing EQ and decidedly amp-like playing experience that’s made the Preamp pedal a perennial hit among Sweetwater’s overdrive obsessives. Dynamic, versatile, and steeped in the gritty germanium tones of the vintage era, the Benson Amps Germanium Preamp pedal is a superb spin on a true boutique dirtbox classic.

Germanium gain stage borrowed from the Germanium Boost pedal

Found in the earliest fuzz pedals to the most prized boutique fuzzboxes, germanium transistors have a near-mythical reputation for their sheer tonal warmth and exceptional dynamics — especially if you’re a play that regularly rides the volume knob to set your gain level. Naturally, the Germanium Preamp’s germanium gain stage (replacing the FET transistor gain stage of the standard Preamp pedal) delivers a fuller, rounder, and slightly more temperamental flavor that’s sure to please vintage tone chasers. Plus, since the rest of the Germanium Preamp pedal is built upon the traditional Benson Amps Preamp circuit, this pedal is simply a must-have for fans of the first pedal looking for a surefire way to expand their tonal toolbox.

Benson Amps: supplying boutique tone since 2012

The quest for the ultimate tone can lead guitarists down a seemingly endless path. For Christopher Benson, a self-described "relentless tinkerer," the journey led him to take matters into his own hands. After stints as an amp tech around the Pacific Northwest — and with his flagship Monarch amplifier design already in tow — Benson introduced his eponymous company in 2012. Leveraging meticulous quality, practical expertise, premium components, and a passion for vintage-inspired design, the Oregon-based outfit aims to create original circuits that effortlessly transition from euphoric, rich cleans to glorious harmonic distortion with a mere change in pick attack. Whether it's a meticulously handcrafted pedal or a no-compromise handwired amplifier, players seeking tonal nirvana owe it to themselves to plug into one of Benson Amps' heirloom-quality offerings.

Benson Amps Germanium Preamp Pedal Features:

An alternate-universe version of Benson Amp’s revered preamp pedal where the FET transistor gain stage is swapped out for the germanium gain stage of the brand’s Germanium Boost
Offers a warmer, more dynamic, and slightly less gain-heavy sound compared to the original
Boasts the same flexible EQ and amp-like dynamics of the original Preamp pedal
Bold harmonic presence is perfect for saturating DI/solid-state setups or powering long signal chains

Specification	Detail
Type	Germanium Preamp
Analog/Digital	Analog
EQ	2-Band EQ
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Power Usage	50mA
Batteries	1 x 9V

RETURN INFORMATION

We want you to be completely happy with your purchase from Sweetwater. If you are not satisfied with your product, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price within 30 days. If your purchase was eligible for Free Shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund. Returns must be in the complete and original packaging with all accessories and complete documentation (Owner's Manual, warranty card, quick start guides, etc.), show no signs of wear or use, and include a Return Authorization number or be subject to a restocking fee.