The Reeves Electro ME4003 Transistor Alpha One Knob Fuzz is a limited-run fuzz pedal and the fifth variant in the maker's BlackHatSound series. It is built around a pair of vintage 1970s Micro Electronic 4003 silicon transistors, and Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reported that "The BlackHatSound circuit is roughly based on the Tone Bender MKI sound!"1
Circuit and background
The Tone Bender MKI that the Alpha draws on was, per British Pedal Company's product page, a three-transistor circuit "that was based upon the Gibson built Maestro Fuzz-tone"2. The ME4003's name points to its transistors: the Micro Electronic 4003 silicon parts from the 1970s that the pedal is "suitably loaded with"1.
Controls and sound
The pedal has a single Master Volume control, with no tone stack or further components. Karlsson wrote that "you just know is going to produce a formidable output," and described the output of this type of circuit as "ever raw and visceral"1.
Availability and price
The Tour Grade One Knob Alpha Fuzzes went up for sale at 20:00 hrs BST on 21 June 2025 through the Reeves Electro Webstore, with only 10 available at £3501.
With a run of only 10 units, this pedal is a limited release and is unlikely to appear in ordinary retail stock.
What reviewers said
Karlsson's verdict at Guitar Pedal X was positive with a caveat about size and value1:
"This is a really cool simplified edition and well worth your consideration!"
He noted the pedal is a little large for his purposes given its overall size and value1.
Related Reeves Electro fuzzes
Reeves Electro's limited-run fuzz line includes several other circuits a player comparing options may want to look at:
- Reeves Electro The Darlington Flyer, the maker's first PCB-based pedal
- Reeves Electro Twin Sound, an octave fuzz in a limited run of 10
- Reeves Electro Facet IZ, a silicon Fuzz Face take with added tone control
- Reeves Electro ZO Fuzz, a hand-built silicon homage to the Zonk Machine MKII
- Reeves Electro IZZrite, a Daughterboard variant of the Mosrite Fuzzrite with added Bias control
- Reeves Electro Voltone Sub-Octave Fuzz, a Jordan Bosstone variant with a Volt control
- Reeves Electro Z1, a three-transistor recreation of the JHS MK1 Zonk Machine
Questions
What transistors does the Alpha One Knob Fuzz use?
The pedal carries a pair of vintage 1970s Micro Electronic 4003 silicon transistors, which give the ME4003 its name. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson described the pedal as suitably loaded with that pair of transistors, and the circuit is roughly based on the Tone Bender MKI sound.
How many Alpha One Knob Fuzz pedals were made?
Only 10 units were available. They went on sale at 20:00 hrs BST on 21 June 2025 through the Reeves Electro Webstore, priced at £350 each.
Is the Alpha One Knob Fuzz based on a Tone Bender?
Yes, roughly. Guitar Pedal X reported that the BlackHatSound circuit is roughly based on the Tone Bender MKI sound. The original Tone Bender MKI was itself a three-transistor circuit based on the Gibson-built Maestro Fuzz-tone, according to British Pedal Company's product page.
Where was the Alpha One Knob Fuzz sold?
The Tour Grade One Knob Alpha Fuzzes went up for sale through the Reeves Electro Webstore, with the drop timed for 20:00 hrs BST on 21 June 2025.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-06-20
- Wooden Case Prototype MKI Tone Bender, britishpedalcompany.com
