The Ol'Ephraim Germanium Sustainer is a fuzz-style gain pedal from Bolt & Forge Analog Audio, a germanium-powered fuzz and distortion hybrid that sits in the wider family of fuzz pedals. It was developed by creator and engineer Jason Lilly, who Guitar Pedal X says was simply developing an open-plan circuit to deliver superior harmonic and fuzz-like gain, without any specific preconceptions or target sounds1. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in January 2024, called it "a germanium powered fuzz that's easy to handle but roars like a grizzly"2.
The controls
The pedal keeps things simple: Volume, Sustain and Tone. Pedal of the Day describes these as offering "a simple but wide-ranging tonal spectrum to explore"2. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson found that with those three controls the pedal reaches medium gain, becoming compressed and sticky at maximum Sustain, and that the Sustain control is most effective around 2 to 3 o'clock1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level |
| Sustain | Gain and sustain; most effective around 2 to 3 o'clock, compressed and sticky at maximum1 |
| Tone | Tonal shaping1 |
The footswitch is a high tensile steel industrial machinery switch with a short-throw, soft-clicking action, and the pedal carries an amber lightning-bolt shaped LED1. The enclosure is finished in Dark Gold Sparkle paint, with three engraved facia plates carrying the graphics and legends on the top, front and rear1.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's review, published 11 December 2023, heard early 70s fuzz-edged rock in the pedal: "the upper fret action produces eerily similar tones and timbres to that fuzz-edged 70's rock" of Faces' 1971 "Stay with Me". The same review describes lower notes becoming heavier and bass-heavy, while higher strings turn bright and sparkly1.
Pedal of the Day, reviewing on 11 January 2024, notes the circuit uses "four hand-tested, low-leakage germanium diodes to get those iconic sounds", alongside Mosfet opamps, metal-film resistors and other studio-grade components2.
On pickups, Karlsson found the pedal suits single coils but worked with humbuckers too1.
Guitar Pedal X reported a degree of sensitivity when the pedal is placed further down the signal chain, and found it prefers the front of the chain1.
Questions
How much does the Bolt & Forge Ol'Ephraim cost?
Guitar Pedal X reported on 11 December 2023 that the Ol'Ephraim Germanium Sustainer was available for order from the Bolt & Forge webstore for $249.99 USD.
Does the Ol'Ephraim use germanium diodes or transistors?
It uses germanium diodes, not transistors. Pedal of the Day describes the circuit as using four hand-tested, low-leakage germanium diodes, alongside Mosfet opamps, metal-film resistors and other studio-grade components.
Does the Ol'Ephraim work with humbuckers?
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson found the pedal suits single coils but also worked with humbuckers in his testing.
Where should the Ol'Ephraim go in a pedal chain?
Guitar Pedal X's reviewer found the pedal prefers the front of the chain, and reported a degree of sensitivity when it was placed further down the signal chain.
Who designed the Ol'Ephraim Germanium Sustainer?
The pedal was developed by creator and engineer Jason Lilly, who Guitar Pedal X says built an open-plan circuit for harmonic, fuzz-like gain without any specific preconceptions or target sounds.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-11
- Bolt & Forge Analog Audio Ol' Ephraim Germanium Sustainer, Pedal of the Day, 2024-01-11