Germanium Clipper
Passive Clipping Circuit
Built with NOS Germanium Diodes
A gig bag charm that's also a fully functional passive guitar effect, built with the mythical germanium diodes that defined vintage overdrive tone. Gold-plated PCB, NOS components from the 1960s and 70s, and a hard clipping circuit you can actually use. Clip it to your gig bag, hang it in your studio, or give it to the guitarist who has everything. Includes two guitar picks.
$12
FREE SHIPPING
Free 1N4381 version included with every pedal purchase
Buy Now1-year warranty on manufacturing defects. Diode breakage not covered.
Hear the Difference
Same riff, three different sounds. Listen to how each diode shapes the tone.
⚠️ Handle With Care
The germanium diodes inside are NOS components from the 1960s and 70s, no longer manufactured anywhere in the world. They're glass-bodied and fragile by nature.
The PCB is built to last: 2.0mm thick with extra copper and ENIG gold plating that resists tarnish and ages beautifully. But the diodes themselves are vintage and irreplaceable.
Best for gig bags, guitar straps, studio display, or careful pockets. Not recommended for daily use on keys.
A Piece of Audio History
Germanium diodes haven't been manufactured in decades. The components inside your Germanium Clipper are genuine New Old Stock (NOS) parts from the golden age of analog electronics, carefully sourced and tested.
ITT 1N34A
The legendary gold-bonded 1N34A, made famous by the Klon Centaur. ITT's gold wire bonding provides superior consistency and longevity. Prized by builders worldwide for warm, musical harmonic content.
ITT 1N4381
A lesser-known gold-bonded ITT germanium diode from the same era as the 1N34A. The gold bonding ensures stable characteristics over decades. Smooth, musical compression that modern silicon can't replicate.
How to Use
The Germanium Clipper is a passive hard clipping circuit. Using four alligator clips (not included), clip one contact to the tips (signal) of both 1/4" cables. Clip the other contact to the sleeves (ground) of both cables.
With a clean guitar signal, the clipping is subtle, adding a light edge of breakup. Feed it a boosted or hot signal and those peaks get sheared off for saturated overdrive, distortion, or fuzz.
Emergency Gig Fuzz
Picture this: You're at a gig, your main fuzz pedal just died, and the guitar solo is in two songs. No problem. Grab some alligator clips, pull your Germanium Clipper off of your gig bag, and you're back in business with genuine germanium clipping.
Is it practical? Probably not. Is it a fully functional circuit that will actually clip your signal and add harmonic saturation? Absolutely. Will it make for a great story? Definitely.
Choose Your Diode
1N4381
ITT Gold-Bonded
Gold-bonded ITT germanium diode with soft clipping and smooth compression. Superior consistency and longevity. Similar voicing to the 1N34A.
$12
Free with every pedal
1N34A
ITT Gold-Bonded
The legendary gold-bonded 1N34A, famously used in the original Klon Centaur. Superior consistency and longevity. Smooth clipping with musical harmonic content.
$20
Premium NOS Component
The Science of Hard Clipping
Two germanium diodes wired in opposite directions create a hard clipping circuit. When the input signal exceeds the diode's forward voltage (around 0.3V for germanium), the peaks are sheared off, creating harmonic distortion.
With a clean guitar signal, the clipping is subtle. But feed it a boosted signal and those flattened peaks become saturated fuzz. It's the same principle used in classic distortion circuits, in a compact clip-on format.
Read the Complete Guide to Clipping Diodes →Specifications
Dimensions
- PCB: 56mm × 18mm × 5mm thick
- Key Ring: 3/4" (19mm) diameter
- Weight: 4.20g (without key ring)
Circuit
- Two germanium diodes in anti-parallel
- Hard clipping configuration
- Passive (no power required)
- Alligator clips not included
Build Quality
- ENIG finish (real gold plating)
- Stainless steel key ring
Diode Options
- 1N4381: ITT manufactured (NOS)
- 1N34A: ITT manufactured (NOS)
Included with Purchase
- Two guitar picks
Warranty
- 1 year for manufacturing defects
- Does not cover diode breakage