JAM Pedals Black Fuzz Phrase LTD 2025 rare OC44 black glass transistors

Sometimes goodbye is not for ever: The original Fuzz Phrase Ltd was discontinued a couple years back as the supply of NOS (new-old-stock) transistors had run out. Luckily JAM has found a cache of NOS Phillips OC44 Black Glass transistors (circa 1969) and Presto! The Fuzz Phrase lives again....for now. 

Paying homage to the original Fuzz Face, the meticulously constructed JAM Fuzz Phrase is so much more than a fuzz pedal. It can be crunchy, gritty, articulate and has a great low-end presence that makes every guitar sound bigger and chunkier. Get the notion of a crackly, low-fi fuzz out of your head. We have a Fuzz Phrase on our board and it's our go-to pedal for alternative and classic rock crunch.  And thanks to its precisely matched Germanium transistors it cleans up beautifully and faithfully responds to your touch.

Expensive? Yes, but rare components and museum-like craftsmanship do not come cheap. It's a collector's item you can happily stomp on. JAM recommends an isolated power supply - daisy chaining is not recommeded with Germanium fuzzes -- but it can also run on a 9V battery, just like the old days.

In the words of JAM pedals:

Limited Edition Germanium Fuzz featuring NOS OC44 Philips Black Glass Transistors

Built entirely by hand in Athens, Greece, the Black Fuzz Phrase LTD is a love letter to the raw, expressive fuzz tones of the late ’60s. At its core lies an ultra-rare stash of NOS OC44 Philips black glass transistors, manufactured in 1969 and individually tested and matched by ear. These legendary components are prized for their exceptionally low leakage, musical gain, and quiet operation—ideal for crafting a fuzz circuit that’s both aggressive and articulate.

Each unit is point-to-point hand-wired on a turret board and wrapped in luxurious suede, staying true to our tradition of uncompromising craftsmanship. With vintage-spec carbon-comp resistors and tropical fish capacitors throughout the signal path, this fuzz responds musically to your playing and cleans up beautifully with your guitar’s volume knob.

Thanks to the remarkable stability of the OC44s, the internal bias is factory-set to 4.5V—no tweaking needed, just plug in and go.

From wooly chords to singing leads, the Black Fuzz Phrase LTD delivers rich harmonics, smooth sustain, and that unmistakable vintage rasp.

Hand-wired, point-to-point construction

Individually ear-matched NOS OC44 black glass transistors

Vintage-spec components for authentic tone and feel

True bypass switching

Positive ground circuit – use with isolated power supplies only

A true collector’s piece designed to inspire from the first note.