The Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator is a hand-built germanium fuzz pedal based on the G.P. Electronics Harmonic Generator, a circuit whose design was later followed by the Burns Buzzaround and Elka Dizzy Tone12. Farmer Factory's version keeps the original's semiconductor pattern of three germanium transistors and a germanium diode, and Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called it "a really beautifully calibrated fuzz - different from all the other Harmonic Generators / Buzzarounds / Dizzy Tones out there"1.
Circuit and transistors
The original G.P. Electronics Harmonic Generator used three germanium transistors and a germanium diode, and the Burns Buzzaround and Elka Dizzy Tone followed its circuit1. Farmer Factory's take uses the same four-semiconductor pattern, with three rare NOS germanium transistors: two Mullard GET113 and one Brimar AC1131. The original production by G.P. Electronics of the Harmonic Generator is documented in a history piece on the Buzzaround and Dizzy Tone at Tru-Fi2.
The pedal is hand-made, and on this build using an Eylet Board style construction1. For more from the same maker, see the Farmer Factory Colombeta Fuzz, and the original circuit at the GP Electronics Harmonic Generator page.
Controls
Guitar Pedal X notes that all four dials are pretty interactive, with a wide range of tones and textures to be discovered and plenty of volume on tap1. The Balance control is the unusual one among fuzz controls: it sets the volume and gain of the third transistor stage, Q3, rather than acting as a conventional tone or level knob3.
Sound and what reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X describes the pedal as all about rich harmonic details, with gain that is comparatively mellow versus other fuzzes of this ilk, and plenty of relatively searing gain on tap1. Stefan Karlsson's verdict: "A really beautifully calibrated fuzz - different from all the other Harmonic Generators / Buzzarounds / Dizzy Tones out there"1.
Availability and price
Farmer Factory builds the Harmonic Generator just two at a time. Those pairs go up on the Farmer Factory Reverb.com store and sell out pretty much instantly1.
Guitar Pedal X listed the price at €210 / $235 as of December 20243.
Videos
Farmer Factory
Julien Bitoun - Guitare Obsession
Questions
What circuit is the Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator based on?
It is based on the G.P. Electronics Harmonic Generator, the original fuzz circuit that Guitar Pedal X describes as followed by the Burns Buzzaround and Elka Dizzy Tone. The original used three germanium transistors and a germanium diode, and Farmer Factory keeps that same four-semiconductor pattern in its hand-built version.
What transistors does the Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator use?
Guitar Pedal X reports that the pedal uses three rare NOS germanium transistors: two Mullard GET113 and one Brimar AC113, along with a germanium diode. The original G.P. Electronics design also used AC113 and GET113 germanium transistors.
How much does the Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator cost in US dollars?
Guitar Pedal X listed it at $235 as of December 2024, alongside a European price of €210. Because the pedals are hand-built in very small batches, availability can change quickly.
Where can you buy the Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator?
Farmer Factory builds the Harmonic Generator two at a time, and those pairs go up for sale on the Farmer Factory Reverb.com store. Guitar Pedal X notes that they sell out pretty much instantly, so timing matters if you are looking for one.
What does the Balance knob do on the Farmer Factory Harmonic Generator?
The Balance control works as the volume and gain of the third transistor stage, Q3. Together with the Sustain, Colour and Volume controls, it shapes how much gain and level the final germanium stages contribute, and Guitar Pedal X notes all four dials interact with each other.
Sources (3)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-06-28
- Elka Dizzy Tone and Buzzround, tru-fi.com
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-12-18
