The Expresso FX Germanium Fuzz "Mojo Edition" is a germanium fuzz pedal and a special limited edition of the Expresso FX Germanium Fuzz. Expresso FX describes it as a pedal that "takes you ever so close to the mojo of vintage Dallas Arbiter" Fuzz Face units, built with "an array of top grade NOS Mullard and Newmarket germanium transistors"1. The maker calls it "an amazing pedal that displays all the fine subtleties of the original units but without the price tag"1.
What is inside
The Mojo Edition treatment is about the parts. Alongside the NOS Mullard and Newmarket germanium transistors, the pedal uses "NOS Philips moulded metallised polyester capacitors \"Mepolesco\" type", which the maker says are "the exact same ones used in the original" Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face1. The enclosure is a high quality aluminum unit, professionally powder coated in a Blue Hammerite finish1.
Controls and trimpots
The manual describes two internal adjustments that vary from pedal to pedal:
- External bias knob (versions so equipped): the stock setting is with the knob at 12 o'clock. Clockwise increases the bias voltage, anti-clockwise decreases it. The maker notes it has a limited range, to help correct bias in less than optimal conditions1.
- Clean trimpot (pedals so fitted): located inside the pedal on the left hand side1.
- Bias trimpot (pedals so fitted): the trimpot on the right hand side is for tweaking the bias, and the maker says it is best left stock unless changing the pedal's gain response is desired1.
Not every unit has the same trim layout: the manual says "if your version has an external bias knob" and "if your pedal is fitted with a clean trimpot", so check what your own pedal carries before reaching for a screwdriver1.
The Boost sibling
Expresso FX makes a matching Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition", a germanium boost pedal based on vintage germanium boost units such as the Dallas Rangemaster2. The two pedals share a good deal:
| Germanium Fuzz "Mojo Edition" | Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition" | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Germanium fuzz1 | Germanium boost2 |
| Based on | Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face1 | Dallas Rangemaster and similar2 |
| Transistors | Hand selected NOS Mullard and Newmarket germanium1 | Hand selected NOS germanium1 |
| Enclosure | Aluminum, Blue Hammerite finish1 | Aluminum, Gray Hammerite finish2 |
| Potentiometers | Alpha 16mm2 | |
| Dimensions | 121 x 66 x 40 mm (W x D x H)1 | 121 x 66 x 40 mm (W x D x H)1 |
| Bypass | True bypass1 | True bypass2 |
| Warranty | 3 years to original owner1 | 3 years to original owner2 |
Questions
Is the Expresso FX Mojo Edition true bypass?
Yes. The maker's manual for the Germanium Fuzz "Mojo Edition" specifies true bypass switching, and the same specification appears in the manual for the Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition". True bypass means the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when switched off, so it does not load down your guitar's tone when it is not in use.
What is the Mojo Edition based on?
Expresso FX describes the Germanium Fuzz "Mojo Edition" as taking you ever so close to the mojo of vintage Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face units. The maker says the pedal displays all the fine subtleties of the original units but without the price tag. The sibling Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition" is likewise based on vintage germanium boost units such as the Dallas Rangemaster.
What does the bias knob do?
On versions fitted with an external bias knob, the stock setting is when the knob points to 12 o'clock. Turning it clockwise increases the bias voltage and turning it anti-clockwise decreases it. The maker notes the knob has a limited range, intended to help correct the bias in less than optimal conditions rather than to radically reshape the pedal.
How big is the Expresso FX Germanium Fuzz?
The maker's manual gives the dimensions as 121 x 66 x 40 mm (W x D x H). The Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition" shares the same enclosure size, so the two pedals sit side by side neatly on a board.
What warranty does the Mojo Edition have?
Expresso FX states that all Expresso FX products carry a 3 year warranty to the original owner with proof of purchase. The Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition" manual carries the same terms for that pedal.
Does the Mojo Edition use NOS transistors?
Yes. The Germanium Fuzz "Mojo Edition" is built with hand selected NOS germanium transistors, including an array of top grade NOS Mullard and Newmarket germanium transistors, according to the maker's manual. The Germanium Boost "Mojo Edition" likewise uses a hand selected NOS germanium transistor.
Sources (2)
- Germanium-Fuzz-Manual.pdf, Expresso FX, 2019
- Germanium-Boost-Manual.pdf, Expresso FX, 2019
