The Master Effects Vintage Germanium Boost is a germanium treble booster, a boost pedal built as the company's variation on the classic Rangemaster treble booster circuit. Master Effects describes it as great for adding sparkle to a clean tone or pushing an amp into sweet overdrive, the traditional role of a treble booster placed in front of a cranked valve amp1.
What it does and how it differs from the original
The Rangemaster design that this pedal is based on is a germanium treble booster, a circuit type that lifts the upper frequencies a guitar sends into an amp. Two changes set the Vintage Germanium Boost apart from a straight reproduction, and both come from the maker's own description of the pedal1.
First, the original Rangemaster ran on a positive ground power supply, which is awkward on a modern pedalboard because it cannot share a standard daisy-chain supply with other pedals. Master Effects adapted the circuit to run on a standard 9V power supply, explicitly not a positive ground one, so it can be used alongside conventional pedals1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Range | Sets which frequencies are boosted: fully counterclockwise matches the original Rangemaster boost frequency, clockwise adds bass until full clockwise boosts all frequencies1 |
Build and transistor
The pedal uses a 2N1306 NPN germanium transistor as its standard part. Master Effects states that it tried several different germanium transistors and settled on the 2N1306, but can use virtually other NPN germanium transistors1. The hardware is built around a professional high quality FR4 PCB, housed in a powdercoated enclosure with UV printed artwork1.
Price, shipping and warranty
The pedal is priced at $149US plus shipping, as listed on the maker's product page as of 26 October 20261.
- Shipping within Canada and the US is $20US1
- Shipping to the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan is approximately $60US1
- US customers pay no import duties or tariffs1
- Customers outside North America are responsible for any customs, import or VAT charges their country levies1
Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labor, which excludes damage from an improper power supply or misuse1.
Videos
Noise Generator
Questions
Does the Master Effects Vintage Germanium Boost need a positive ground power supply?
No. Master Effects adapted the original Rangemaster-style circuit to run on a standard 9V power supply rather than the positive ground supply the classic design used, so it can sit on a pedalboard with your other pedals without a separate or isolated positive-ground supply.
Is the Master Effects Vintage Germanium Boost true bypass?
Yes. The pedal uses a soft-touch relay true bypass switching arrangement, which Master Effects describes as offering improved reliability over conventional mechanical footswitches.
What does the Range control do on a Rangemaster-style booster?
It sets which frequencies the pedal boosts. Turned fully counterclockwise, it boosts the same frequencies as the original Rangemaster treble booster. Turning it clockwise adds progressively more bass frequencies, and at full clockwise the pedal boosts all frequencies.
Where is the Master Effects Vintage Germanium Boost made?
Each pedal uses a professionally assembled PCB and is assembled by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
What warranty does the Master Effects Vintage Germanium Boost have?
Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labor. The warranty excludes damage from an improper power supply or misuse.
Sources (1)
- VGB | Vintage Gemanium Boost | Master Effects, Master Effects