Electronic Audio Experiments x Benson Halberd Overdrive + Germanium Boost Pedal

Two icons, one enclosure. The Halberd + Germanium Boost is a collaborative creation between Electronic Audio Experiments and Benson Amps, pairing transistor-flavored overdrive with a masterfully voiced germanium gain stage. The result is a versatile 2-in-1 pedal that delivers weight, clarity, and rich harmonic color.

The Halberd is known for its distinctive drive character, offering everything from light compression to fuzzy saturation depending on how you set its interactive controls. The Germanium Boost features an automatic biasing circuit that turns even humble old-stock transistors into vibrant, musical gain stages. By default, the Boost feeds into the Halberd for a perfect high-gear kick, but separate inputs and outputs let you route them any way you like. Stack them, swap them, or run them in parallel.

Finished with Bryan Aiken’s medieval spin on Benson’s floral tolex pattern, this pedal is as striking visually as it is sonically.

⚙️ Features and Specifications

• Type: Dual overdrive/boost pedal

• Circuit: Halberd transistor overdrive paired with Benson Germanium Boost

• Controls:

  • Boost – Sets output level of the Germanium Boost

  • Pre – Overall gain of the Halberd, from light compression to fuzzy overdrive

  • Depth – Low-frequency shelving filter at the Halberd input, interactive with Pre

  • Tone – High-shelf cut at the Halberd output for taming harshness

  • Post – Halberd’s overall output level, buffered for transparency

  • Voice – Three-position switch for drive character:

    • Clang: Upper-mid gain boost for aggressive attack

    • Standard: Moderate gain with gentle mid push

    • Deep: Full-range gain boost with woolly saturation

• Bypass: Relay switching with true bypass

• Input Impedance: 500 kΩ with Boost active, 1 MΩ otherwise

• Output Impedance: <1 kΩ

• Power: 9V DC center-negative, 85 mA current draw, regulated and isolated supply recommended (no battery operation)

• Dimensions: 5.7 x 4.77 x 1.55 inches (145 x 121 x 39 mm)

• Artwork: Bryan Aiken, medieval floral motif inspired by Benson Amps

• Release: Version 1, December 2022