Pollinator V2

JHS built the Pollinator around hand-matched AC128 germanium transistors, capturing the woolly character and voltage-sensitivity that defined classic fuzzes. Version 2 represents a major evolution with doubled output and headroom compared to the original.

The new Gain control functions as pre-gain, interacting with the Fuzz knob to unlock massive tonal range—from clean boost and overdrive through tube crunch, vintage fuzz, and into gated, destroyed distortion. Bias varies direct voltage to the second-stage transistor, compensating for temperature and germanium variance to maintain consistency.

The circuit cleans up fantastically with your guitar volume knob, just like classic fuzz should. Volume delivers roughly 5x more power than a standard Fuzz Face and 2x the original Pollinator. At 5mA draw, it's remarkably efficient for germanium circuitry.