The Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MkII is a fuzz pedal that Expresso FX describes as "a faithful recreation of the three-transistor-based fuzz circuit of the Bender family"1. That circuit is the Tone Bender MKII, which the fuzz history site Fuzzboxes.org records as a three-transistor fuzz circuit2. The pedal is fully hand wired, built on tagboard construction, and uses hand selected NOS Mullard germanium transistors, with a choice of two transistor sets that shape its character1.
Delicious Audio, which profiled the pedal in a writeup updated May 20, 2025, describes it as "Built in the UK and equipped with two OC75 and one OC76 NOS transistors", and notes that "Compared to MkI, which made our list of the best Tone Bender Clones, it features a few tweaks for performance and reliab[ility]"3. The designer behind Expresso FX is Sofiane Tebboune1.
Transistor options: OC75/OC76 or OC84
The MkII is ordered with one of two germanium transistor sets, and Expresso FX is specific about how each behaves4:
| Transistor set | Expresso FX's description |
|---|---|
| 2x Mullard OC75 and 1x Mullard OC76 | "These sound outstanding and are a perfect match for this circuit. The general sound is a little agressive and very cutting." |
| 3x Mullard OC84 | "Softer and smoother in comparison to OC75/OC76, but sound equally refined... more for the players who like the overall MkII sound but prefer a more rounded sound." |
In the maker's words, the OC84 set suits "the players who like the overall MkII sound but prefer a more rounded sound", while the OC75/OC76 pairing is the more aggressive, cutting option4. Delicious Audio's writeup covers the standard OC75/OC76 build3.
"3x Mullard OC84 are softer and smoother in comparison to OC75/OC76, but sound equally refined."
The controls
Expresso FX fits the MkII with Alpha 16mm potentiometers4. The control set follows the classic Tone Bender layout, and the same family of controls appears across the Fuzz Bender line. On the Fuzz Bender Mk I, Expresso FX explains the arrangement:
- Level: sets the pedal's output level, a classic control carried over from the original circuit5
- Attack: the classic fuzz intensity control5
- Filter: a middle knob that "help[s] control the pedal's low end. This is a very useful addition" that Expresso FX says makes the pedal versatile5
The Mk I's Filter knob is an Expresso FX addition on top of the classic Level and Attack controls6. On the limited Fuzz Bender "Mojo Edition", a side Bias knob is added "for extra tweakability"7.
Parts and construction
The MkII is built the way the original circuits were, with period-correct and premium parts throughout1:
- Fully hand wired, tagboard construction
- Hand selected NOS Mullard transistors
- NOS Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors
- NOS Mullard "Mustard" C296 polyester capacitors
- Premium 22 AWG solid core silver-plated copper wire with Teflon insulation
- Premium Cliff UK jacks
- Alpha 16mm potentiometers
- Lead free, silver-based solder
- Genuine Hammond aluminum enclosure, powder coated
The enclosure measures 120 x 94.5 x 34 mm (W x D x H) and the pedal carries a 3 year warranty1. The price shown on the maker's page is the base price, which "doesn't include transistor upgrades and other options", and the product image shows optional features that are not included unless purchased; the listed price is £299.004. Expresso FX asks buyers to allow 4 to 5 days for shipping4.
The Mk I and other Fuzz Bender versions
Expresso FX builds several pedals in the Fuzz Bender family, each tracing a different branch of the Tone Bender line1.
Fuzz Bender Mk I. An immaculate reproduction of a classic pedal, built with a few tweaks for performance and reliability improvement6. It uses NOS Mullard "Mustard" C296 polyester capacitors6, and shares the same Hammond aluminum enclosure, 120 x 94.5 x 34mm dimensions (W x D x H) and 3 year warranty as the MkII6. It is offered in Antique Copper Hammertone, Emerald Sparkle, Forest Green, Gold, Gold/Black Hammertone, Ice Blue Hammertone, Matt Black, Red Sparkle, Silver/Black Hammertone and Teal Sparkle finishes5.
Fuzz Bender MkII "Vintage". A variant of the MkII built with hand selected NOS Mullard OC82D germanium transistors, also a faithful recreation of the three-transistor circuit, with Cliff UK jacks and true bypass8.
Fuzz Bender Mk I.V. An accurate replica of the dual-transistor Tone Bender, "often referred to as Tone Bender Mk1.5", using hand selected NOS germanium transistors9. Expresso FX's manual describes its sound as "thicker and wilder than a Fuzz Face, but much less aggressive in comparison to a Tone Bender MkII Professional"9. A Mini version offers the same components and tone in a smaller box, with Mullard OC75 and OC76 or a matched pair of Mullard OC42 transistors, Bourns trimpots and Switchcraft jacks.
Fuzz Bender "Mojo Edition". A limited edition that Expresso FX says "takes you ever so close to the mojo of vintage Tone Bender MkII Professional units", with a side Bias knob for extra tweakability10.
Custom Fuzz Bender MkI "Mini". A mini version of the MkI with hand selected NOS Newmarket and Mullard germanium transistors, Level, Attack and Filter controls, Cliff UK jacks and true bypass11.
Finishes
The MkII is offered in a range of powder-coated finishes on its Hammond enclosure: Antique Copper Hammertone, Emerald Sparkle, Gold, Green Sparkle, Ice Blue Hammertone, Matt Black, Red Copper Sparkle, Red Sparkle and Teal Sparkle4.
Videos
Jackson Brooksby
Brett Kingman
Brett Kingman
Questions
What is the difference between the Fuzz Bender Mk I and MkII?
Both are three-transistor recreations from the Bender family, but the Mk I recreates the earliest three-transistor circuit and ships with Newmarket CV7007, Mullard OC82D and Mullard OC42 transistors, while the MkII recreates the Tone Bender MKII circuit and offers a choice of OC75/OC76 or OC84 sets. Delicious Audio reports the MkII carries a few tweaks for performance and reliability over the Mk I.
Is the Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MkII true bypass?
Yes. Expresso FX lists true bypass for the Fuzz Bender MkII, and the same applies across the Fuzz Bender range, including the Mk I, the Mk I.V, the Mojo Edition and the Mini versions.
Where is the Expresso FX Fuzz Bender made?
The Fuzz Bender MkII is built in the UK. Delicious Audio describes it as built in the UK and equipped with two OC75 and one OC76 NOS transistors, and the pedals are fully hand wired by Expresso FX, whose designer is Sofiane Tebboune.
Which transistors does the Fuzz Bender Mk I use?
The Mk I uses hand selected NOS germanium transistors and currently ships with a Newmarket CV7007 in Q1, a Mullard OC82D in Q2 and a Mullard OC42 in Q3. Expresso FX describes these as hand selected NOS Mullard germanium transistors.
What finishes does the Expresso FX Fuzz Bender come in?
The MkII is offered in Antique Copper Hammertone, Emerald Sparkle, Gold, Green Sparkle, Ice Blue Hammertone, Matt Black, Red Copper Sparkle, Red Sparkle and Teal Sparkle, on a genuine Hammond aluminium enclosure that is powder coated. The Mk I is offered in a similar list including Forest Green and Gold/Black Hammertone.
Sources (11)
- Fuzz Bender MkII, Expresso FX, 2021-02-13
- Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII • Fuzzboxes, Fuzzboxes.org, 2021-05-18
- Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MKI & MKII, Delicious Audio, 2025-05-20
- Fuzz Bender MkII, Expresso FX, 2021-02-13
- Fuzz Bender Mk I, Expresso FX, 2018-08-31
- Fuzz Bender Mk I, Expresso FX, 2018-08-31
- Fuzz Bender “Mojo Edition” (Mullard CV7005), Expresso FX, 2023-10-05
- Fuzz Bender MkII “Vintage”, Expresso FX, 2024-10-03
- Fuzz-Bender-Mk-I.V-Manual.pdf, Expresso FX, 2019
- Fuzz-Bender-Manual.pdf, Expresso FX, 2019
- Custom Fuzz Bender MkI “Mini”, Expresso FX, 2026-04-19
