Hartman Germanium Treble Boost

It's as easy as plugging it in correctly.

Standard setup features a selectable treble or mid boost toggle switch.

On my request Theo Hartman modified mine to boost mid or bass selectable, as I use a strat and don't need all the treble that this unit can provide.

Set the boost switch and then adjust the knob for desired effect. If you want more drive, set it up past about "7" or so and then use your guitar's volume knob to roll off the drive for a cleaner tone.

These are to be placed first in your effects chain, though, I usually set mine up after the wah wah, which I run first, and ahead of the tubescreamer, which comes directly after the booster.

I'm using a Fender Hendrix Woodstock strat and an American Classic strat from the custom shop circa 1993 (texas special pickups).

Amp is a Reissue Marshall 100w plex (not a handwired model) that has been modded with 6550 tubes. Cabinet is a Marshall 1960AX cabinet with the 25 watt greenback Celestion speakers.

The unit makes a good loud "thump" or "pop" when you engage it, though, it seems to me this diminishes once you have turned it on and off a few times.

Also, consistent with the original treble boost design, the control knob can create some crackle if you adjust it while the unit is being used, though, I have experienced very minimum noise in regards to that original design flaw.

The effect this unit provides is a treble boosting effect, even though I had mine altered by the manufacturer to boost more bass frequencies.

As you dial the control knob higher and higher, you produce more volume as well as creating a most excellent sounding fuzz/overdrive that I haven't found anywhere else. It is very enjoyable and harmonically rich tone that straddles the line of fuzz vs overdrive very impressively.

I was chancing it when I purchased this pedal, looking to move beyond just the tubescreamer (and clones) for a drive sound. It has performed beyond my expectations in every way.

I wasn't looking to mimic the sounds of my favorite artists but to further distinguish my own tone, and this pedal has not let me down.

Not only was I impressed with the drive sound this pedal offers, but the cleaner tones are absolutely sparkling without being harsh on the ear. I have a hard time deciding which I like it for the best. Almost any setting on this unit beyond "5" or so is outstanding.

I've had mine for nearly two years, and used it fairly extensively. No problems whatsoever.

The unit barely uses any batteries, so one more plus. Just a hassle free unit. Four screws to remove to change batteries, so it's not as easily accessed at the drop of a hat, but it uses such little energy that you never need to worry about it.

I have dealt with this company directly. I was lucky enough to be able to talk to Theo Hartman himself in order to discuss my needs in regards to this unit.

He explained everything about these units, and even offered to modify it to boost mid and bass frequencies when I voiced some concerns about excessive treble through my rig. This mod was performed when I ordered the unit at no additional charge.

From all I can tell, Theo Hartman is a really nice guy who is very knowledgeable about his work and very interested in working with players to get the tone they want.

He even went so far as to offer to buy back the unit if I didn't think it was what I wanted rather than see it turn up on Ebay.

I can't say enough about this company's excellent customer service.

I play rock n roll, blues, funk, etc. This pedal has proven an excellent match for everything I'm doing.

To be honest, the only drawback I've found to this unit is that, running through a 100 watt Marshall, to get full fuzz/drive effect from the unit, you are running SERIOUS volume.

While not totally replacing my tubescreamer (Jekyll and Hyde Ultimate OD), it has it's own special place. When I need a clean tone and require more punch to cut through the bass and drums of a three piece, this is the ticket. R&B and more delicate sounding guitar licks don't fall into the mush with this. Indispensable.

Only other thing I can think that it is lacking is a four rubber feet to keep it from sliding around on the floor. Really though, I should do my part and mount this on a pedal board, as it's not only beautiful in tone but also appearance. To me, the lack of rubber feet are minor in light of all the positives.

I can't say I've tried out any other treble boosters. This is my first, and I went with Hartman because of the time he took with me as a potential customer and the fact that I wanted something very few people would have. After playing it for two years, I can say I don't need to try out any other boosters, as this is now a "must have" when gigging for me.

I typically run: strat-fulltone wah-treble boost-Jekyll & Hyde-Dunlop Univibe-Fender Reverb tank-Marshall amp. On a bare bones night it's just the Hartman boost and the Jekyll and Hyde, that's how much I've taken to this pedal.

I know I rated this all tens, and perhaps that is not being critical enough, but I've blown enough on higher end gear in my time to know when something is top notch. This is the finest effects unit I have ever had in my humble chain of pedals, outside of maybe the Fender Reverb tank, and so, is deserving of a "10" in my book.

I was just today browsing the Hartman website and noticed his link to the Harmony Central Reviews. I figured that after the great service I got from Theo, and the great service I've gotten from this pedal, I owed him a good review. Thanks Theo, you earned it.:)

This couldn't be simpler to use, in fact maybe a little more complicated wouldn't hurt. One knob, one switch, and your guitar's volume knob and you can achieve many different variations on that mid 60's rangemaster sound you know so well from the Bluesbreakers.

Manual is straight forward.

Tyler Studio Elite HD-teese rmc4-picturewah-Hartman Treble Booster-Urso Splinter Fuzz-Peterson Strobostomp-Sommatone Roaring 40 1x12.

The unit is pretty quiet, I keep it turned up about 3/4 of the way at 3 o'clock and you can hear a slight pop when it is engaged but it doesn't bother me since I usually engage it for a whole song. It sounds great to me, I feel that the tone of my guitar really shine through which is what I strive for.

This unit will give you sounds reminiscient of Clapton, Rory Gallagher...etc...I don't play with many effects so I'm mostly looking for transparent effect pedals.

It's been dependable so far...knock on wood ^_^

I've not had a need to contact customer support up to this point.

I have been playing for about 20 years; blues, 60's psychedelia, 70's jam and rock...etc...this is a great pedal if you want some vintage sounds.

I might buy one again if it were lost or I might look at other treble boosters. I compared it to many different boosters, but I found the ones manufactured in the USA to be less expensive and to sound similar to the higher priced European ones.

Buy this pedal if you are looking for a transparent boost for your guitar signal to a class A/B tube amp...Enjoy!

Please refer to my other review; I had accidentally left a 'no opinion' under sound quality and I'm writing thsi review to amend that.

This product sounds like a germanium product should; Theo takes the time to BE boutique and LISTEN to the product before shipping it. He knows his germanium/silicon like no one else I've encountered.

Have not had it long enough but built very well; inside and out I see no worries. A 9 only to be fair.

Again, Thoe di dnot miss ONE email or question, EVER...and even AFTER the sale.

Again, I play as noted in previous review. This is a great add to any rig where you often just want to but thru the mix without being too over the top, but it also does get you over the top if ya want it to. Just a nice musical pedal, as they all should be.

Theo Hartman knows what he is doing, and there is not a bad sound in this product. 'Musical is the word that kept repeating in my mind. The Hi/Mid toggle also helps tweak things a bit..depending on guitar/amp used this comes in handy.

I have used this with a Traynor YBA-1 and it is just the thing to match up well with an old tube amp. I practice at home with a Marshall mini-stack (solid state) and actually still think this product does fine.

Reliability remains to be seen, but this is built well on the outside, has a quality switch and very bright LED...you will see if it's on even in the sun which I like for outdoor sumer gigs. 9 only due to have not had it more than a month or so.

Theo has responded every time I asked him to both before and after the sale of the pedal...and continues to do so. Truly great, no kidding.

I play blues-rock, some heavier than others, and this is a handy addition to my rig. Been playig 30 years, own many amps and effects...this one is a keeper. Small footprint for pedalboard real estate too. I would certainly replace it...and while there are many treble boosters out there, I doubt that anyone has the germanium stock that Theo does; hence my decision.