JHS releases the Mary-K, a Kay Fuzz Tone reinterpretation

June 1, 2023 · 2 sources

JHS released the Mary-K, its take on the Kay Fuzz Tone, in June 2023. The maker describes it as a replica of the original circuit, which it dates to 1969¹. A listing on the independent PedalPedia database describes the pedal as "JHS's modern reinterpretation of the classic Kay Fuzz Tone from the late 1960s"².

The original Kay Fuzz Tone was part of a series of knobless, treadle-based plastic pedals from Kay Musical Instruments, which allowed one parameter of each effect to be adjusted by foot¹. JHS's builder's notes say the fuzz was "Initially designed as a low-cost-version of the Shin-ei/Univox Superfuzz" and is "one of the Edge's go-to pedals"¹. The Mary-K moves the circuit into a standard stompbox with two knobs, Volume and Frequency, and a Mode switch that JHS says delivers "a more aggressively fuzzy and mid-rangey version of the original"¹. PedalPedia describes the pedal as delivering "gritty, vintage-inspired fuzz tones with adjustable frequency and output"².

An expression output lets players control the Frequency setting with a foot, as the treadle did on the original. JHS says this produces "a shift in frequency that's comparable to a more subtle version of what you get placing a wah pedal after the fuzz"¹. JHS recommends the Nektar NX-P and Roland EV-5 expression pedals, and advises plastic-chassis expression pedals with short cables to avoid noise in high electromagnetic interference environments¹.

PedalPedia lists the circuit as analog with a current draw of 4mA². JHS's notes carry the heading "1969 KAY FUZZ TONE REPLICA"¹. Neither source gives a US price.

The Mary-K is a fuzz pedal; more are covered in our fuzz pedals section.