JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase Black LTD

Limited Edition Germanium Fuzz with NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass Transistors

We’re thrilled to unveil the Black Fuzz Phrase LTD, built around a rare stash of NOS OC44 Philips black glass transistors we recently unearthed. Entirely hand-wired with turret-based point-to-point construction and wrapped in luxurious suede, this fuzz is a loving tribute to the golden era of germanium tone—picking up right where our sold-out CV7003 Fuzz Phrase LTD left off.

Why NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass?

At the heart of every great germanium fuzz lie its transistors—and few are as legendary as the OC44. Manufactured in the late 1960s at Philips’ French facilities, these black glass versions are considered among the finest ever made. This batch, dated April 18, 1969, comes from the twilight era of germanium transistor production, shortly before Philips and the wider industry shifted to silicon-based designs.

What makes these transistors so revered?

• Exceptionally low leakage
• Stable, musical gain (hFE)
• Minimal noise

These characteristics make them ideal for dynamic, vintage-voiced fuzz circuits. From warm saturation to articulate volume-rolloff cleans, they deliver expressive tones with inspiring responsiveness.

Thanks to their consistency, the internal bias trimmer is factory-set at 4.5V—meaning no user adjustments are typically needed. Just plug in and go.

Individually Tested and Matched by Ear

Each OC44 is hand-tested for gain and leakage, then carefully matched by ear to ensure perfect synergy and sonic balance. This labor-intensive process guarantees that every Black Fuzz Phrase LTD delivers the signature sound the series is known for: rich harmonics, smooth sustain, and that unmistakable vintage rasp.

Premium Vintage Components

To complement the rare OC44s, we’ve selected carboncomp resistors and tropical fish capacitors—vintagespec components that preserve warmth, clarity, and musicality throughout the signal path. The result is a fuzz that’s both aggressive and articulate, with cleans that shimmer and leads that sing.