The Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MkII "Vintage" is a fuzz pedal from Expresso FX, a maker known for germanium fuzz builds. The maker describes it as "a faithful recreation of the three-transistor-based fuzz circuit of the Bender family," the circuit line behind the classic Bender-style fuzzes. What sets the Vintage apart from the standard Fuzz Bender MkII is its parts and finish: it is a special custom version built with hand selected NOS Mullard OC82D germanium transistors and NOS Mullard "Mustard" C296 polyester capacitors, in a vintage-style metal enclosure powder-coated to what the maker calls a very high standard1.
Sound and circuit
The Bender family circuit is a three-transistor fuzz design, and the Vintage version leans on old-stock components to get there. Expresso FX's Sofiane Tebboune describes the OC82D transistors this way1:
"These are very refined transistors with a slightly aggressive tone, resulting in a very articulate \"Bender\" tone1."
As with any germanium fuzz, the transistors are the heart of the sound, and hand selection is how the maker sorts for consistent pairs. The NOS Mullard "Mustard" capacitors follow the same old-stock approach1.
Power and practicalities
This pedal runs on battery power only. It cannot be run from a DC power supply or a daisy chain, so plan your board and your battery changes accordingly1.
Other practical points from the maker's listing:
- True bypass switching, so the pedal is out of the chain when off1
- Three year warranty1
- Six finish options: Blue Hammertone, Forest Green, Gold, Green Hammertone, Gray Hammertone and Red Copper Sparkle2
Where it sits in the Expresso FX range
Expresso FX builds a wide line of fuzzes around germanium and silicon designs, including the Germanium Fuzz, the Silicon Fuzz, the Tup Fuzz, the Buzzabout, the Il Signor Bender and the Fuzz Bender "Mojo Edition". The Vintage sits alongside the standard MkII as a custom-finished, old-stock-component version of the same Bender-family circuit1.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MkII true bypass?
Yes. Expresso FX lists the Fuzz Bender MkII "Vintage" as true bypass, so the pedal takes itself fully out of the signal path when it is switched off. That matters with germanium fuzz circuits, which can load the guitar's signal when engaged, and it means the pedal behaves predictably on a board alongside other effects.
Can the Fuzz Bender MkII Vintage run on a power supply?
No. Expresso FX specifies battery power only for this pedal, so it cannot be run from a DC power supply or a daisy chain. Players should plan for battery changes and keep a spare on hand, since a dying battery will change how a germanium fuzz responds before it stops working altogether.
What transistors are in the Fuzz Bender MkII Vintage?
The pedal uses hand selected NOS Mullard OC82D germanium transistors. Expresso FX describes these as very refined transistors with a slightly aggressive tone, resulting in a very articulate "Bender" tone. The circuit is a three-transistor design from the Bender family of fuzzes.
What finishes does the Fuzz Bender MkII Vintage come in?
The Vintage is a special custom version housed in a vintage-style metal enclosure, powder-coated to what Expresso FX calls a very high standard. The listed finish options are Blue Hammertone, Forest Green, Gold, Green Hammertone, Grey Hammertone and Red Copper Sparkle.
What warranty does Expresso FX give on the Fuzz Bender MkII?
Expresso FX gives a three year warranty on the Fuzz Bender MkII. The same three year coverage is noted in Delicious Audio's profile of the company's germanium fuzz builds, so it appears to be a standing term across Expresso FX's pedal range rather than something specific to this version.
Sources (2)
- Fuzz Bender MkII “Vintage”, Expresso FX, 2024-10-03
- Fuzz Bender MkII “Vintage”, Expresso FX, 2024-10-03
