The Red Noise Germanium Stone Blender is a limited multi-mode fuzz pedal built by Ariel Scherbacovsky of Red Noise Pedals, hand made and hand wired in Atlanta, Georgia1. Its circuit is based on the 1990s Sola Sound Tone Bender, and its distinguishing feature is a four-position Diode rotary switch that selects between four different fuzz voices by changing the clipping diodes in the circuit1.
A Tone Bender fuzz with four clipping voices
Multi-mode fuzz pedals are somewhat rare, and the Stone Blender's unassuming four-setting Diode rotary switch is what sets it apart1. The switch selects between four fuzz sounds using different clipping diodes: 1N60, 1N4148, a Yellow LED and a Blue LED1. Guitar Pedal X's review identifies the actual diodes in each position as 1N60 germanium diodes (Green), 1N270 germanium diodes (Yellow), BAT41 silicon diodes (Red) and Yellow LEDs (Blue)2.
Each voice has its own character, as described by Delicious Audio:
| Diode position | Clipping diodes | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 1N60 germanium diodes2 | A purry overdrive-like fuzz with volume boost and added crunch1 |
| Red | BAT41 silicon diodes2 | The classic Tone Bender fuzz, sizzling up top while punching you in the gut1 |
| Yellow | 1N270 germanium diodes2 | Loud, aggressive, likes to snap at its prey before devouring it1 |
| Blue | Yellow LEDs2 | Extremely distorted and high gain, full blown madness1 |
The pedal is described as having a huge dynamic range, with a robust low end that never compromises high-end crispness, making it suited to guitarists, bassists and synth players1.
The controls: Volume, Fuzz, Tone, De-Clip and the Diode switch
The Stone Blender has three knobs plus the four-position Diode rotary switch2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Fuzz | Controls the amount of signal going into the fuzz circuit; counterclockwise for less fuzz, clockwise for more1 |
| Tone | Filters high and low frequency; counterclockwise for low, clockwise for high1 |
| De-Clip | A mid-frequency shaper, adding or removing body and presence1 |
| Diode switch | Selects between the four fuzz voices1 |
The De-Clip knob deserves its own note. Rather than a simple tone cut, it is a mid-frequency shaper that controls how "forward" the guitar sits in the mix1. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer Stefan Karlsson found it central to the pedal's appeal:
"the ingenious De-Clip knob which really allows you dial in the best harmonics and textures"
Karlsson's own preferred settings were Volume and Fuzz at max, Tone around 3 o'clock, and De-Clip around 11 o'clock for the germanium and LED variants, dropping to about 9 o'clock for the BAT41 silicon mode2.
A limited run, built around rare transistors
The Stone Blender is built around three NOS Matsushita 2SD352 germanium transistors2. Those transistors are rare nowadays, and that rarity is what limits production. Karlsson's own unit was number 27 from the original batch of 30, with around 10 to 15 more expected, and production was not expected to go much beyond that number2.
This is a limited edition. The original run was 30 units, with an estimated 10 to 15 more, because the NOS Matsushita 2SD352 transistors are so rare2.
The pedal is 100% hand made and hand wired in Atlanta, Georgia by Ariel Scherbacovsky, with Alpha pots and true bypass switching1. As of 13 July 2026, the price was £175 (US $195)2. A demo by Ryan Plewacki of Demos In The Dark accompanies the Guitar Pedal X review2.
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Questions
What transistors are in the Red Noise Germanium Stone Blender?
It uses three NOS Matsushita 2SD352 germanium transistors. Those vintage transistors are now rare, which is why production was limited to the original batch of 30 units plus an estimated 10 to 15 more.
How many Germanium Stone Blenders were made?
The original batch was 30 units, with around 10 to 15 more expected. Because the NOS Matsushita 2SD352 transistors are so hard to find, production was not expected to go much beyond that.
Is the Germanium Stone Blender true bypass?
Yes, the pedal is true bypass. It is also hand made and hand wired in Atlanta, Georgia by Ariel Scherbacovsky, and uses Alpha pots.
What does the De-Clip knob do?
De-Clip is a mid-frequency shaper that adds or removes body and presence, controlling how forward the guitar sits in the mix. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer called it ingenious for dialing in the best harmonics and textures.
Does the Germanium Stone Blender work on bass?
Yes. The pedal is described as having a robust low end that never compromises high-end crispness, and it is suited to guitarists, bassists and synth players alike.
Sources (2)
- Red Noise Germanium Stone Blender, Delicious Audio, 2021-03-26
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2022-03-30
