Buffalo FX Tonebender Mkii

The Buffalo FX Tonebender Mkii is a fuzz pedal from Buffalo FX. It is based on the original Tone Bender Mkii circuit and built with NOS germanium transistors, meaning new old stock parts rather than modern production components, and it adds external bias, tool-free battery change and 9V DC power capability¹.

What it does

The Tone Bender Mkii circuit is one of the classic germanium fuzz designs, and Buffalo FX's version follows the original circuit while adding practical features that vintage-style pedals often lack. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported that the pedal comes "with the added functionality of external bias, tool free battery change and 9v DC power capable"¹.

External bias is the most player-relevant of these additions. Bias sets the operating point of the germanium transistors, and on vintage-style germanium fuzzes it strongly affects how the pedal behaves, particularly with temperature and the individual transistors fitted. Having bias adjustable from outside the pedal means a player can tune the fuzz's response without opening the unit up.

The other two additions address everyday practicality. Tool-free battery change means the battery can be swapped without a screwdriver, and 9V DC power capability means the pedal can run from a standard pedalboard power supply rather than relying on batteries alone¹.

Where it came from

The Tonebender Mkii follows the original Tone Bender Mkii circuit, using NOS germanium transistors, and sets itself apart from the original design with external bias, tool-free battery change and 9V DC power capability¹.

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