Build Your Own: MKI Tone Bender
Everything you need to build your own 1965 Tone Bender MKI
In 1965 engineer Gary Hurst designed the first Tone Bender, colloquially referred to as the MKI. This three transistor fuzz was the first iteration of the Tone Bender family and a refinement of the earlier FZ-1 fuzz circuit. The MKI is known for a pleasantly raw and aggressive voicing that harkens back to early Zeppelin tones. The circuit is sensitive to different amplifier and pickup combinations, exhibiting a distinct clarity / chime with singles, and a unique gating effect that is particularly prominent in the lower registers with higher output pickups. The attack knob controls the bias of the 2nd transistor stage, allowing for a sweep that modulates the character, attack, and saturation of the fuzz. The circuit was notably used by Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson, and Jimmy Page among many greats.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. Each transistor set is meticulously tuned with an amp and breadboard to sound true to the original. The 50’s style eyelet board layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step-by-step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations like the Zonk and FZ-1, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build the 1965 Sola Sound MK1 Tone Bender
New old stock germanium transistors: Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, RCA
Polyester film capacitors and carbon resistors
Pre-drilled powder coated enclosure
High tolerance carbon film resistors
Alpha pots
Vintage style amp jacks
FK brand foot switch
Eyelet board
LED and bezel
Knobs
9V power jack (standard 2.1mm center negative)
Everything you need to build your own 1965 Tone Bender MKI
In 1965 engineer Gary Hurst designed the first Tone Bender, colloquially referred to as the MKI. This three transistor fuzz was the first iteration of the Tone Bender family and a refinement of the earlier FZ-1 fuzz circuit. The MKI is known for a pleasantly raw and aggressive voicing that harkens back to early Zeppelin tones. The circuit is sensitive to different amplifier and pickup combinations, exhibiting a distinct clarity / chime with singles, and a unique gating effect that is particularly prominent in the lower registers with higher output pickups. The attack knob controls the bias of the 2nd transistor stage, allowing for a sweep that modulates the character, attack, and saturation of the fuzz. The circuit was notably used by Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson, and Jimmy Page among many greats.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. Each transistor set is meticulously tuned with an amp and breadboard to sound true to the original. The 50’s style eyelet board layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step-by-step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations like the Zonk and FZ-1, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build the 1965 Sola Sound MK1 Tone Bender
New old stock germanium transistors: Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, RCA
Polyester film capacitors and carbon resistors
Pre-drilled powder coated enclosure
High tolerance carbon film resistors
Alpha pots
Vintage style amp jacks
FK brand foot switch
Eyelet board
LED and bezel
Knobs
9V power jack (standard 2.1mm center negative)
Everything you need to build your own 1965 Tone Bender MKI
In 1965 engineer Gary Hurst designed the first Tone Bender, colloquially referred to as the MKI. This three transistor fuzz was the first iteration of the Tone Bender family and a refinement of the earlier FZ-1 fuzz circuit. The MKI is known for a pleasantly raw and aggressive voicing that harkens back to early Zeppelin tones. The circuit is sensitive to different amplifier and pickup combinations, exhibiting a distinct clarity / chime with singles, and a unique gating effect that is particularly prominent in the lower registers with higher output pickups. The attack knob controls the bias of the 2nd transistor stage, allowing for a sweep that modulates the character, attack, and saturation of the fuzz. The circuit was notably used by Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson, and Jimmy Page among many greats.
No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. Each transistor set is meticulously tuned with an amp and breadboard to sound true to the original. The 50’s style eyelet board layout and quality components will ensure this circuit will be blowing out your eardrums for years to come! The build document includes a parts list, detailed layout diagrams, and step-by-step instructions with pictures. There is also a supplemental overview of popular boutique modifications, vintage variations like the Zonk and FZ-1, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these classic circuits.
Included in kit:
Instructions to build the 1965 Sola Sound MK1 Tone Bender
New old stock germanium transistors: Mullard, New Market, Texas Instruments, RCA
Polyester film capacitors and carbon resistors
Pre-drilled powder coated enclosure
High tolerance carbon film resistors
Alpha pots
Vintage style amp jacks
FK brand foot switch
Eyelet board
LED and bezel
Knobs
9V power jack (standard 2.1mm center negative)