The Tethys Germanium Fuzz takes inspiration from the Baldwin-Burns Buzzaround, a germanium transistor fuzz pedal that was popularized by Robert Fripp in the late 1960s. The Buzzaround is often mistaken for a clone of the Tone Bender Mk. III, but it actually predates it.

The Buzzaround was likely copied from an earlier effect called the Harmonic Generator from G. P. Electronics. Although no surviving examples of the Harmonic Generator exist, the control layout and advertising copy suggest clear similarities between the two pedals.

One major difference between the Buzzaround and the Tone Bender Mk. III is the volume control, known as Balance. In the Buzzaround, this control acts as a bias control on the third transistor, affecting the tone throughout its range, not just the signal level. DIY builders often add a separate volume control to Buzzaround replicas to have more control over the output level.

The gain control in the Buzzaround is set up as a voltage divider, while the Tone Bender uses a variable resistor. Additionally, the tone control in the Buzzaround is voiced differently. These differences, along with the Balance control, give the Buzzaround a distinct character compared to the Tone Bender Mk. III, despite their similar schematics.

Summary created by AI from the original source.