British Pedal Company launches King Of Fuzz Tone Bender MKII for coronation
June 2, 2023 · 2 sources
The British Pedal Company released the King Of Fuzz Tone Bender on 2 June 2023, a limited edition Tone Bender MKII built to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III12. MusicRadar reported the launch on that date1.
The pedal is a MKII Tone Bender in a hand-painted Union Jack enclosure, with a King Charles Coronation Insignia backplate12. Inside are three OC81D germanium transistors, carbon comp resistors and a Carling footswitch, with white pointer-style knobs and input and output jacks mounted on the top of the unit1. The layout has two dials, Level and Attack1. Each unit comes with a numbered COA and a British Pedal Company bag1.
MusicRadar described the pedal, finish excepted, as a detailed replica of the Gary Hurst-designed 1966 Professional MK II Tone Bender, and said the OC81D transistors are the type used in Jimmy Page's MKII1. The British Pedal Company says the OC81D promises "more warmth and saturation" than the OC75 MKIIs1. Guitar.com reported that the company claims the pedal is identical in spec to its Vintage Series Tone Bender MKII2.
"British Pedal Company are only making 250 of these worldwide, 100 of which are numbered and available via Reverb"
MusicRadar reported that the pedal is out now1. Guitar.com reported mixed reactions to the Union Jack finish and the pro-King theme, citing comments on Reverb's demo video, including "Hard pass. Yikes."2. Guitar.com also reported that Gary Hurst, the original Tone Bender designer, distanced himself from the company in 2016, saying: "I have no connection with this company whatsoever, even though my name is unlawfully all over the text headings to their pedals… They have copied not only the names but also the graphic work on all these pedals."2. Guitar.com further reported an allegation that the company has links to Justin Harrison and Music Ground, and that in 2012 Harrison, alongside his father, was sentenced for accepting a shipment of stolen guitars2.
MusicRadar also noted the regular Professional Tone Bender MKII OC81D in a gray enclosure, still limited edition1.