The D*A*M System Tone Bender MKI is a fuzz box built by D*A*M as a faithful recreation of the original Tone Bender MKI. The maker calls it "a supreme quality recreation of Anthony Macari's very own vintage MKI", and describes the MKI itself as "the fuzz box the absolute cream of the crop".1
Who builds it, and where to buy one
D*A*M is purely the builder. The maker is explicit that the pedal cannot be bought from them: "Please do not contact D*A*M about purchasing this product. We are purely the builders and cannot supply this product." Interested buyers are directed to Macari's in London instead.1
The design philosophy behind the pedal is strict replication. In the maker's words: "I've done nothing more here than precise replication. I haven't added my own this or that into the mix."1
Transistors and construction
The circuit is built the way the original was, with hand wired point to point construction rather than a printed circuit board. D*A*M describes it as "authentically old school point to point construction", in the spirit of "Point A goes to point B, and so forth".1
The transistor line-up is period correct germanium:
- A single black glass Philips OC75
- Then either 2 x 2G374
- Or 1 x 2G309 followed by a single 2G3741
The enclosure is custom fabricated with hand applied paint work.1
The bias control and the over-biased sound
The MKI carries a bias control, and its useful range has a limit. D*A*M states that "what would or should be one's maximum setting is at around 12 to 1 o' clock, though this does vary depending upon the operating temperature". Past that point the pedal becomes over biased.1
The over-biased setting is a sound in its own right. According to the maker: "The fuzz tone compresses hugely and what is presented is an almost Velcro fuzz noise gate type effect", described as extreme but very musical.1
Because the useful maximum of the bias control shifts with operating temperature, the 12 to 1 o'clock position is a guide rather than a fixed setting. Germanium based circuits like this one are sensitive to heat.
Related D*A*M Tone Bender pedals
D*A*M's Tone Bender range covers several points in the family tree. The Tone Bender MKII SCB and Tone Bender MKIV sit alongside this MKI, and the 1965 Tone Distorter is the maker's own study of the MKI circuit in a modern pedal.
Videos
Long Island Sounds Pedals
Questions
Can I buy the D*A*M System Tone Bender MKI directly from D*A*M?
No. D*A*M asks that buyers do not contact them about purchasing this pedal, since they are purely the builders and cannot supply it. The maker directs interested buyers to Macari's in London, which handles sales of the Sola Sound branded Tone Bender pedals D*A*M builds.
Who builds the D*A*M System Tone Bender MKI?
D*A*M builds it. The maker describes the work as nothing more than precise replication, with none of the builder's own modifications added to the circuit. The pedal is a recreation of Anthony Macari's own vintage MKI.
What transistors are in the D*A*M System Tone Bender MKI?
The transistor line-up includes a single black glass Philips OC75, and then either two 2G374 units, or one 2G309 followed by a single 2G374. These are germanium devices in the style of the original circuit.
Is the D*A*M System Tone Bender MKI built point to point?
Yes. D*A*M describes the construction as authentically old school point to point wiring, replicating how the original was built, in the spirit of point A going to point B and so forth.
What happens when you over-bias a Tone Bender MKI?
Past the bias control's useful maximum, which sits at around 12 to 1 o'clock and varies with operating temperature, the fuzz tone compresses hugely. D*A*M describes the result as an almost Velcro fuzz noise gate type effect, extreme but very musical.
Sources (1)
- Tone Bender MKI, D*A*M (stompboxes.co.uk), 2019
