The Ananashead MARK2 is a fuzz pedal built on the Tone Bender MKII circuit. Premier Guitar announced it as "a three germanium transistor benderish fuzz", priced at 110.00€1. Its distinguishing feature is an external bias control, which puts a trim usually hidden inside vintage units on the front panel: Ananashead says it can deliver bender tones, remove hiss, add sustain, bring better cleans with volume roll off, or get sputtery and gated tones1.
What the bias control does
On a vintage Tone Bender MKII, the bias of the transistors is set internally, and drifting bias is a large part of why two old units can sound so different. Ananashead brings that control to the outside. Premier Guitar describes the MARK2 as "equipped with an external bias to deliver bender tones, bringing the chance to remove hiss, add sustain", and to get better cleans with the guitar's volume rolled off, or sputtery and gated tones1. In practice that means one knob spans the pedal's whole character, from a fuller, sustained fuzz voice to a dying-battery style gated splutter, without opening the pedal up.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output volume1 |
| Attack | Fuzz amount and gain character1 |
| Bias | External bias: bender tones, less hiss, more sustain, cleaner rolled-off volume, or sputtery gated tones1 |
| Low Boost switch | On/off low boost, on the Mark 2 Fuzz version2 |
The circuit it comes from
The Tone Bender MKII appeared in the mid-sixties as a three-transistor design. Fuzzboxes.org documents several versions of the Sola Sound-branded MKII, including 1966 "MK1.5" conversions on a "short board", the conventional 1966 to 1968 "large board" MKII, and a two-transistor 1966 variant, with the large-board Sola Sound units built in relatively small numbers compared with the Vox and Marshall-branded MKII3. One of the best-known versions was supplied by Sola Sound, via Macari's Musical Exchange, as the Vox Tone Bender Professional MKII, whose earlier examples were built with slightly larger value input and output capacitors4. A JMI reissue of the Vox Tone Bender Professional MKII is also available again5.
Versions and related pedals
Ananashead's own range gives the circuit treatment some context. The Mark 2 Fuzz is described as a Tone Bender MKII-style fuzz, with a Low Boost switch alongside Level, Bias and Attack controls, priced at €1102. The MARK2 announcement describes the same circuit as "a three germanium transistor benderish fuzz" with three knobs to control Level, Attack and Bias, and the same external bias feature, also at 110.00€1.
The 2021 MARK2 described by Premier Guitar uses selected NOS germanium transistors and draws 7.5mA1; the 2025 Mark 2 Fuzz covered by Guitar Pedal X uses a hybrid silicon and germanium set and draws 4.5mA2. The two write-ups describe the pedal at different points, so check which version a listing refers to.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson was emphatic about the Mark 2 Fuzz:
"This is another fabulous innovation, and for sure one of the most appealing from that range currently. Superbly well"2
Stefan Karlsson, Guitar Pedal X, 26 February 20252
Karlsson's verdict on the circuit itself: "A superb take on the TB MKII for sure", and "unique take that is every way excellent and an absolute steal at the price overall"2.
Availability
Premier Guitar reports that the pedals are available and can be purchased directly from the Ananashead online store, at a price of 110.00 euros1.
Videos
Ananashead Effects
Ananashead Effects
Ananashead Effects
Questions
What circuit is the Ananashead MARK2 based on?
Premier Guitar describes the MARK2 as a hand-made pedal based on the second generation of three-transistor boxes from the mid-sixties, which is the Tone Bender MKII circuit. Guitar Pedal X, reviewing the later Mark 2 Fuzz, called it a superb take on the TB MKII. The original MKII design was built for Sola Sound and supplied under names including Vox and Marshall.
Does the Ananashead MARK2 use germanium transistors?
Yes. Premier Guitar's 2021 announcement lists selected NOS germanium transistors, and describes the MARK2 as a three germanium transistor benderish fuzz. The later Mark 2 Fuzz version covered by Guitar Pedal X in 2025 uses a hybrid mix of silicon and germanium transistors, also selected NOS.
Is the Ananashead MARK2 true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar lists popless true bypass switching, meaning the pedal switches out of the signal path entirely and does so without the popping noise some true bypass pedals produce.
What voltage does the Ananashead MARK2 need?
Premier Guitar lists a filtered and protected 9VDC input. Current draw is low: Premier Guitar gives 7.5mA, and Guitar Pedal X's 2025 coverage of the Mark 2 Fuzz gives 4.5mA. Either figure is well within what a standard pedal power supply delivers.
Where is the Ananashead MARK2 made?
Premier Guitar reports that the MARK2 pedal is hand-made in Barcelona with carefully selected components. Ananashead is a Barcelona-based builder of hand-made fuzz pedals.
Where can you buy the Ananashead MARK2?
Premier Guitar states that the pedals are available and can be purchased directly from the Ananashead online store. The listed price is 110.00 euros.
Sources (5)
- Ananashead Effects Announces the Mark2, Premier Guitar, 2021-12-31
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-02-26
- Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII • Fuzzboxes, Fuzzboxes.org, 2021-05-18
- Vox Tone Bender Professional MKII • Fuzzboxes, Fuzzboxes.org, 2021-05-20
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME - the World of Vintage Guitar Effects Pedals
