The Verzerrer is a distortion pedal from UK maker Fredric Effects that recreates the Bohm Trickverzerrer, which the maker describes as East Germany's only distortion effect. Fredric Effects calls it a highly tweakable recreation that can be considered an exact recreation of the circuit, and builds it with original old stock transistors and diodes, the same components as the original1. It is made in the UK2.
History: the Bohm Trickverzerrer circuit
The pedal's circuit comes from the Bohm Trickverzerrer, a distortion unit made in East Germany. Fredric Effects describes the original as East Germany's only distortion effect, and the Verzerrer as a highly tweakable recreation of it1. Premier Guitar's 2019 press release, speaking for the maker, used the same description when the pedal was announced3.
The Verzerrer was launched in March 2019 as one of three new Fredric Effects pedals, alongside MkII versions of the Utility Perkolator and Dresden Synth Fuzz45.
| Launch details, March 2019 | |
|---|---|
| Pedals announced | Verzerrer, Utility Perkolator MkII, Dresden Synth Fuzz MkII4 |
| Price at launch | £140 each5 |
| Enclosure | New wedge design with top-mounted jacks2 |
Design and parts
A defining feature of the Verzerrer is its component choice. Fredric Effects states the pedal is built "using original old stock transistors and diodes"1. gearnews.com's Jef noted that "It uses the same original stock transistors and diodes of the original"4.
The maker's listed features for the Verzerrer include:
- A recreation of the Bohm Trickverzerrer circuit, which the maker calls an exact recreation1
- Original old stock transistors and diodes1
- An input gain control1
- A highly tweakable design1
Enclosure and size
The Verzerrer shares the wedge-shaped enclosure Fredric Effects introduced across its 2019 releases. Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis wrote that it is "housed in a wedge-shaped enclosure reminiscent of the infamous Maestro Fuzz-Tone… which may not be an accident"2. Guitar.com lists the pedal's dimensions as 144 x 82 x 65mm2.
Price and availability
Fredric Effects lists the Verzerrer at £140 GBP on its product page1, the same price MusicRadar reported at the 2019 launch, when each of the three new pedals "clocks in at £140"5. In his gearnews.com write-up of the launch, Jef said "the pricing is spot on for such well-designed pedals"4.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com reviewed the Verzerrer in December 2019, scoring it 7/102.
"A fun box of angry splatter that's a bit one-dimensional"
In the same review, Purvis noted that the Verzerrer and the Regent 150 Preamp are "two British-made pedals [that] have both been designed in tribute to obscure kit from the old Eastern Bloc"2.
Videos
Tim Webster
Tales from Germanium Valley
Another Guitar Channel
Questions
What is the Fredric Effects Verzerrer based on?
The Verzerrer is a recreation of the Bohm Trickverzerrer, which Fredric Effects describes as East Germany's only distortion effect. The maker calls it a highly tweakable recreation that can be considered an exact recreation of the circuit, built with original old stock transistors and diodes.
Where is the Verzerrer made?
The Verzerrer is made in the UK by Fredric Effects, a British pedal maker. Guitar.com's review of the pedal describes it as a British-made distortion pedal designed in tribute to obscure kit from the old Eastern Bloc.
Does the Verzerrer use original old stock parts?
Yes. Fredric Effects states the Verzerrer is built using original old stock transistors and diodes, the same components as the original Bohm Trickverzerrer circuit it recreates.
What does the Verzerrer's enclosure look like?
Guitar.com's reviewer Richard Purvis described the Verzerrer as being housed in a wedge-shaped enclosure reminiscent of the infamous Maestro Fuzz-Tone, adding that this may not be an accident. The wedge enclosure with top-mounted jacks was new across Fredric Effects' 2019 releases.
How big is the Verzerrer?
Guitar.com lists the Verzerrer's dimensions as 144 x 82 x 65mm.
Sources (5)
- Rare East German distortion using original components, Fredric Effects
- Review: Fredric Effects Regent 150 Preamp & Verzerrer Distortion, Guitar.com, 2019-12-12
- Fredric Effects Launches New Guitar Pedals 2023, Premier Guitar, 2019-03-07
- Fredric Effects Verzerrer, Utility Perkolator MkII & Dresden Synth Fuzz MkII, gearnews.com, 2019-03-10
- Fredric Effects unveils “unusual” trio of new guitar effects pedals, MusicRadar, 2019-03-07
