Empress Effects Germ Drive
This true bypass overdrive offers gain control, two bands of EQ and output control to fully tweak your sound.
Features & Specifications
True to the tweed tube amps of the 50s, the germ drive delivers warm, harmonically rich overdrive that cleans up with a twist of your volume knob. Its tube-like break-up sounds extremely natural and will enhance your sound without masking the original tone of your instrument.
This true bypass overdrive offers gain control, two bands of EQ and output control to fully tweak your sound.
All Analog Signal Path - no digitals in here!
Natural Break-up - Stays true to your original tone.
Cleans up well - Seamlessly clean up your sound by rolling back your volume knob.
Dynamic - Responds well to your dynamics like a tube preamp
Sustain - Good sustain with warm, tube-like overdrive
EQ - Hi shelf and low shelf EQs let you tweak your sound.
Bass - Works great on bass!
True Bypass - The Empress Germ Drive employs true bypass, so you can be sure that it's not affecting the signal when disengaged.
Small Size - The enclosure measures approximately 4.5" by 2.5" by 1.5", which is delightfully small when considering all the features packed into this unit.
Q & A
Reviews
For the price, I really wasn't expecting a lot . I thought I'd obtain the same sounds usually expected from a drive box but this one has a unique sound, much warmer and FAR more natural than most overdrives 3 or 4 times ths cost.
If you are a jazz or blues or country player then this box is for you. If you are into heavy metal or grunge then pick a Tubescreamer type.
Personally, I'm into a mellower 1950s/ 1960s R & B sound and this pedal is perfect..you can hear every note in a chord clearly but still with a hint of a 1950s Tweed.
And that was the original idea behind it so it does EXACTLY as was intended.
If you play a Fender then this pedal will fit the bill even more.It brings a Strat of Tele to life and adds new dimensions, warmer tones.
It didn't work as well on my ES339 mainly because a Gibson hollowbody have a darker tone already( should sound fine with a Les Paul though)
Experiment with it, whatever axe you have, there's bound to be many sweet spots you'll find.
As said by the other reviewer, the support from the Empress Company and the enclosed message in the instructions from its maker i, Mr Steve Bragg, is a convivial gesture...and extremely rare.
Altogether, it makes for a very rewarding consumer friendly experience.
Nicely packaged, gorgeous pearl colour casing. The pedal should really be a LOT more expensive considering the other exorbitantly priced ones on the market of far less worth but hyped up to excess.
A wonderful purchase!
You won't go wrong if you want a mellow, natural overdrive.
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Germ Drive | 354480 |
