I just did this same comparison, they’re both awesome and usable drives. I think I prefer the OG just because I enjoy FET clipping and it seems to get nastier, but I love the dynamics and crunch of the GE. The GE oddly reminds me a bit of a Broadcast; I was comparing that against it too
interesting! Broadcast seems to creep into the conversation when comparing pedals with the Preamp, so I can totally hear that. All are fun pedals with some really great dynamics and response. Thanks for checking out the demo!
Would be interested to hear both in a mix. Feel as though while solo'd it sounds maybe better, the Germanium to my ear might not cut as much in the midrange as the standard. Certainly enough difference to warrant having both in the arsenal though.
I prefer the regular one. I guess the germanium is more adapted for a mid-crunch/cleaner amp Ps. I own the chasebliss preamp mkii anyway which has the germanium option that cleans up differently, can get close with single coils… you know with different way to obtain sag… All cool stuff. I’d be curious to try the benson germanium fuzz too
I loved the OG preamp, but one of the reasons I sold it and opted for the Lightspeed instead is because the Preamp really cut highs and lows, almost like a subtle bandpass filter, taking down the bandwidth of the core tone as soon as you turn it on. From there, you could turn up or down the frequencies that are there in the highs or low, but you can't really get back the ultra highs or ultra lows you lost. In your experience, have you found this to be the case with the new one? Or does it feel more full frequency?
I believe the circuit stayed very true to the original, if not identical save for that germanium gain stage - so I'd imagine a similar EQ response. I can definitely see how the Lightspeed would feel full-spectrum to you in a way the Benson does not - that's about the most "wide open" drive I can think of ha. This probably smooths out the ultra-highs even more just due to the nature of the germanium saturation qualities...but I'm sort of just going off feel and what I'm hearing with my ears. I'd put the OG closer to the Lightspeed than the Germanium if they were on a spectrum.
Yes, Benson cuts frequensies, but has it's own great sound. So I use Benson preamp and Hudsons Broadcast (it doesn't cut the freq., but boosts the high's). The different circuits but the similar sound in some presets.
I gotta be honest I never really got into the OG Benson preamp had two and sold em both but the germanium edition sounds phenomenal. It’s different in a great way. I like the soft sputtery clipping.
you know , I can relate to that. I've used the OG off and on, but sometimes (or in some contexts or rigs) the stiffness and edge were just a little too much . I like that warmth and as you put it "sputtery" clipping of the Germanium, really loving it more the more I play it.
I finally tried one of these after years of hearing about this company. Honestly, one of the biggest letdowns of my entire pedal search. Glad I tried it though so I can knock that off the list.
Hey sorry to start off- I know everyone has their own opinions and they are valid. For me I tried this the other day in 2 fender amps, one boss nextone, and a Marshall SC20. I don’t get to try it in anything above 20/30watts so I’m not sure if that matters. To me I tried that same day a JHS Charlie Brown which I thought lacked a little bit of gain amount but overall was really nice, J rockett Archer and a ton of other klon circuits. The archer won for me in that regard. I currently use for a bluesbreaker sound a VS Audio Royal Flush. Kinda getting sick of using a dual drive as I want to go midi anyways and the pedal sides couldn’t be separated. But I’ve been liking blues breakers and some klon if it’s not overly pronounced mids. I enjoyed the morning glory mostly - a bit more trebly than my VS Audio Royal Flush. I used to use a Timmy and some time I used an Em Drive. Those were my base tone always on. I just don’t see the point of this pedal. I tried the germanium and it didn’t sound clear enough. It just didn’t add anything worth while .
The Benson Preamp pedal made me remove every single overdrive pedal out of my pedal library. I'm not exaggerating either. It's the perfect overdrive that sounds more like kicking on an extra channel on your amp, especially EL84 based amps from Vox, Matchless, BadCat, Magic.
![Is the Benson Germanium Boost the best kept studio secret? [feat. Mark Johnston]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kGzCDk3Edh4/mqdefault.jpg)
Germanium version sounds like an old Fender amp. Love it.
totally! can see that reference point.
Easy to follow format here. Looking forward to this channel and shop
The sound you dialed at 11:08 made my knees weak 🙌🏼
definitely some magical tones in this one! fun to find the sweet spots :D
I just did this same comparison, they’re both awesome and usable drives. I think I prefer the OG just because I enjoy FET clipping and it seems to get nastier, but I love the dynamics and crunch of the GE. The GE oddly reminds me a bit of a Broadcast; I was comparing that against it too
interesting! Broadcast seems to creep into the conversation when comparing pedals with the Preamp, so I can totally hear that. All are fun pedals with some really great dynamics and response. Thanks for checking out the demo!
Oooo the Germanium sounds so nice. A classic all-a-round sound. I know Sunset offers more options but this might be all one needs.
yeah! it can really be a question of idealizing one specific or favorite sound, or having access to a handful.
The germanium sounds great. I have their Germanium boost that I use with a vintage Hotcake, maybe I need one these as well.
I bet that combo sounds awesome! I think if you love the germanium boost the preamp is worth checking out.
Would be interested to hear both in a mix. Feel as though while solo'd it sounds maybe better, the Germanium to my ear might not cut as much in the midrange as the standard. Certainly enough difference to warrant having both in the arsenal though.
Sorry. Hit send by mistake. Nice demo. I subbed. Hope your channel grows!
I appreciate it! thanks for following along!
I wanna try this thing, definitely feels like it evens out some of the harshness I've struggled with in the OG
totally agree. this one seems to have staying power on my boards for that reason.
Have you tried stacking it? I’m curious on using it as an “always on” pedal. I wonder which pedal would stack better with other pedals after it.
I prefer the regular one. I guess the germanium is more adapted for a mid-crunch/cleaner amp
Ps. I own the chasebliss preamp mkii anyway which has the germanium option that cleans up differently, can get close with single coils… you know with different way to obtain sag…
All cool stuff. I’d be curious to try the benson germanium fuzz too
for sure! cool to have a few different "shades" of gain from Benson.
great video.. germanium on wishlist (and I'm mostly a nerdy synth player ;)
Thanks man! Yeah it’s a fun flavor , I think the Ge brings out something special in this circuit.
I loved the OG preamp, but one of the reasons I sold it and opted for the Lightspeed instead is because the Preamp really cut highs and lows, almost like a subtle bandpass filter, taking down the bandwidth of the core tone as soon as you turn it on. From there, you could turn up or down the frequencies that are there in the highs or low, but you can't really get back the ultra highs or ultra lows you lost.
In your experience, have you found this to be the case with the new one? Or does it feel more full frequency?
I believe the circuit stayed very true to the original, if not identical save for that germanium gain stage - so I'd imagine a similar EQ response. I can definitely see how the Lightspeed would feel full-spectrum to you in a way the Benson does not - that's about the most "wide open" drive I can think of ha. This probably smooths out the ultra-highs even more just due to the nature of the germanium saturation qualities...but I'm sort of just going off feel and what I'm hearing with my ears. I'd put the OG closer to the Lightspeed than the Germanium if they were on a spectrum.
@@LittleBoxEffects Super helpful man, thank you!
Yes, Benson cuts frequensies, but has it's own great sound. So I use Benson preamp and Hudsons Broadcast (it doesn't cut the freq., but boosts the high's). The different circuits but the similar sound in some presets.
I might have missed it but does the ge preamp have the same temperature control tech as the ge fuzz and stonk?
I gotta be honest I never really got into the OG Benson preamp had two and sold em both but the germanium edition sounds phenomenal. It’s different in a great way. I like the soft sputtery clipping.
you know , I can relate to that. I've used the OG off and on, but sometimes (or in some contexts or rigs) the stiffness and edge were just a little too much . I like that warmth and as you put it "sputtery" clipping of the Germanium, really loving it more the more I play it.
I finally tried one of these after years of hearing about this company. Honestly, one of the biggest letdowns of my entire pedal search. Glad I tried it though so I can knock that off the list.
Interesting! What are some of your go to drives? What didn’t you like about it?
Hey sorry to start off- I know everyone has their own opinions and they are valid. For me I tried this the other day in 2 fender amps, one boss nextone, and a Marshall SC20. I don’t get to try it in anything above 20/30watts so I’m not sure if that matters. To me I tried that same day a JHS Charlie Brown which I thought lacked a little bit of gain amount but overall was really nice, J rockett Archer and a ton of other klon circuits. The archer won for me in that regard. I currently use for a bluesbreaker sound a VS Audio Royal Flush. Kinda getting sick of using a dual drive as I want to go midi anyways and the pedal sides couldn’t be separated. But I’ve been liking blues breakers and some klon if it’s not overly pronounced mids. I enjoyed the morning glory mostly - a bit more trebly than my VS Audio Royal Flush. I used to use a Timmy and some time I used an Em Drive. Those were my base tone always on. I just don’t see the point of this pedal. I tried the germanium and it didn’t sound clear enough. It just didn’t add anything worth while .
👍🏿🤘
The Benson Preamp pedal made me remove every single overdrive pedal out of my pedal library. I'm not exaggerating either.
It's the perfect overdrive that sounds more like kicking on an extra channel on your amp, especially EL84 based amps from Vox, Matchless, BadCat, Magic.
real talk lol, 5 minute intro
Thx for watching ✌🏼
Nice d