The Faceless FX Marquis Fuzz is a germanium fuzz pedal based on the Tone Bender MkI, one of the earliest three-transistor fuzz designs. Pedal of the Day's reviewer, Mike B, described it as "Based on one of the most classic and sought-after fuzz boxes of all time, the Tone Bender MkI"1. The original Tone Bender MKI was itself a three-transistor fuzz circuit built on Gibson's 1962 Maestro Fuzz-Tone2.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sore | Adjusts the amount of sustain present1 |
| Soar | An attack control1 |
| More | The overall output volume of the pedal1 |
With those three controls, the reviewer described the pedal's range as covering "Sounds from gated velcro splatter, to 'Satisfaction' buzz, right up to soaring full-bodied singing, sustaining fuzz"1.
Power and grounding
The Marquis runs from a 9V battery or a Boss-style center negative power supply, and Pedal of the Day notes it can be daisy chained with modern pedals1. That matters because many germanium fuzzes use a positive ground circuit that rules out sharing a supply. The review explains the difference:
"Placing the germanium transistors in a negative ground circuit allows the Marquis to link up to other pedals with ease"
Build and enclosure
The pedal sits in a shiny chrome enclosure with bold control knobs and a hand-etched "Lute Smasher" graphic1. The reviewer's verdict on the build was that "the gang at Faceless FX uses high-quality parts and sophisticated wiring techniques to make this a pedal that's sure to last a lifetime"1.
Where it sits among Tone Bender fuzzes
The MkI circuit the Marquis follows traces back to the Maestro Fuzz-Tone, and the early Tone Benders were three-transistor fuzzes built on that design2. Tone Bender-style germanium fuzzes remain a living family: for example, the Buffalo FX Tonebender Mkii is a fuzz pedal based on the original circuit using NOS germanium transistors3. For more on the wider category, see Fuzz Pedals, and the original circuit is covered on the Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI page.
Videos
Joe's Pedals
Pedal of the Day
Tim Cooper
Questions
Is the Faceless FX Marquis Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists the Marquis Fuzz as true bypass, so the signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off. The review also notes that the germanium transistors sit in a negative ground circuit, which lets the pedal link up with other pedals easily and be daisy chained with modern pedals on a shared supply.
What transistors are inside the Marquis Fuzz?
The Marquis Fuzz uses three hand-picked and tested NOS germanium transistors, usually Mil spec CV7351 and/or Mullard/Philips OC141, according to Pedal of the Day's review. Hand-picking means the builder measures and selects each transistor, which matters with germanium parts because their gain and leakage vary from unit to unit.
Can the Marquis Fuzz share a power supply with other pedals?
Yes. The pedal runs from a 9V battery or a Boss-style centre negative power supply, and Pedal of the Day notes it can be daisy chained with modern pedals. That is unusual for a germanium fuzz, since many positive-ground germanium designs cannot share a supply, but the Marquis places its germanium transistors in a negative ground circuit to allow it.
What does the Sore knob do?
The Sore knob adjusts the amount of sustain present, according to Pedal of the Day's review. It works alongside the Soar knob, which the review describes as an attack control, and the More knob, which sets the pedal's overall output volume. Together the three controls shape the fuzz from gated splatter to full, sustaining tones.
Sources (3)
- Faceless FX Marquis Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2015-05-10
- Gary Hurst Tone Bender 'MKI' • Fuzzboxes, fuzzboxes.org, 2021-05-20
- Buffalo FX introduces Germanium Fuzz and Tonebender Mkii, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2012-05-22
