The Wren and Cuff UB-Stone is a signature fuzz pedal built with Japanese guitarist Shinichi Ubukata to recreate the sound of his favorite vintage Vox Tone Bender from 1967. Wren and Cuff describe its voice as "a spongy, gated, and sizzling-fat tone with hints of octave up and down", the character players associate with old germanium fuzz circuits.1
Where it came from
In April 2022, Shinichi Ubukata teamed up with Wren and Cuff to recreate the unique sound of his favorite vintage Vox Tone Bender. The collaboration ran through two years of prototype exchanges before the pedal was finalized, with Ubukata shaping the design along the way. Wren and Cuff call him "the legendary guitarist Shinichi Ubukata" on the product page.1
One request carried over from another pedal in the company's range: Ubukata asked for a low-cut knob, a feature he appreciated on Wren and Cuff's Your Face 70's fuzz.1
Circuit and build
The UB-Stone follows the three-transistor Tone Bender architecture of 1967, though Wren and Cuff specify two NOS vintage germanium transistors in the build. Germanium fuzzes of this type are known for a gated, spongy response and the octave hints the maker describes, rather than the tighter, louder attack of silicon fuzzes.1
The enclosure and finish lean into the vintage look:
- Heavy-duty folded steel enclosure1
- Real silkscreened graphics on textured paint to recreate the vintage look1
- Made by hand in small batches in Los Angeles, CA1
Availability
The UB-Stone is listed as sold out on Wren and Cuff's product page as of October 2026, and the maker states it is "ONLY AVAILABLE IN JAPAN THROUGH Lep International".1
Because it is built in small batches and distributed only through Japan, the pedal is uncommon outside that market. Wren and Cuff's wider fuzz range, including the Elephant Skin, Caprid Small Foot and Box of War, covers other classic fuzz voicings for players who cannot find a UB-Stone.1
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Questions
Is the Wren and Cuff UB-Stone still available?
The pedal is listed as sold out on Wren and Cuff's product page as of October 2026. It was made by hand in small batches, and it is only available in Japan through Lep International, so players outside Japan have had to rely on that channel or on resellers.
Where can I buy the UB-Stone outside Japan?
According to Wren and Cuff, the UB-Stone is only available in Japan through Lep International. The maker's own store lists the pedal as sold out, so players outside Japan would need to go through the Japanese distributor or the secondhand market.
What transistors does the UB-Stone use?
The UB-Stone uses two NOS vintage germanium transistors, following the circuit of a 1967 Vox Tone Bender, the pedal Shinichi Ubukata asked Wren and Cuff to recreate.
What is the low-cut knob on the UB-Stone for?
The low-cut knob trims bass from the fuzz. Shinichi Ubukata requested the control himself, a feature he appreciated on Wren and Cuff's Your Face fuzz, and it helps keep the gated germanium fuzz tight with different amps and pickups.
Who is Shinichi Ubukata?
Shinichi Ubukata is a Japanese guitarist whom Wren and Cuff describe as legendary. In April 2022 he teamed up with the company to recreate the sound of his favorite vintage Vox Tone Bender, and the UB-Stone is the signature fuzz that came out of that collaboration.
Where is the UB-Stone made?
The UB-Stone is made by hand in small batches in Los Angeles, California, by Wren and Cuff.
Sources (1)
- UB-Stone Shinichi Ubukata Signature Fuzz, Wren and Cuff, 2022-04
