Build Your Own: 3-in-1 Tone Bender MKII / Tone Bender MK1.5 / Ge Boost

from $159.00

Build your own premium 3-in-1 Fuzz / Boost kit. Now shipping with vintage caps, carbon comp resistors, and a curated selection of new old stock germanium transistors (see options below).

A tri-germanium fuzz that takes advantage of the shared topology of the 3 transistor MKII Tone Bender and 2 transistor MK1.5 Tone Bender. The fuzz side is a true germanium MK1.5 with an external bias knob that unlocks a range of classic and eccentric fuzz tones. The boost is based on the input stage of the MKII and features an EQ switch to select from three shades of treble boost. The boost can be used as a standalone or stacked with your favorite overdrive for some added color / warmth. Stack both sides for a true MKII Tone Bender.

No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. Each transistor set is tuned with an amp / breadboard and shipped with the same eyelet board construction and components as our custom pedals. Kits include an in-depth build document with diagrams, step-by-step instructions, and build photos. There is also a supplemental overview of modifications for those looking to mod and further tune their pedal. This section includes mods lifted from vintage and boutique variations like the MK1.5 Tone Bender and Diaz Texas Ranger, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these circuits.


Included in kit:

  • Instructions to build a 1966 Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face / 1965 Rangemaster boost circuit

  • New old stock germanium transistors (options below)

  • Vintage polyester film capacitors and carbon comp resistors

  • Pre-drilled / powder coated enclosure

  • Alpha pots

  • Vintage style jacks

  • FK footswitches and toggle switch

  • Eyelet board

  • LED / metal bezel

  • Your choice of knobs and enclosure color

  • 9V power jack or internal battery power options available


TRANSISTOR OPTIONS

All transistor options are new old stock germanium transistors dating from the early 1960’s to the late 70’s.

  • 1970’s Soviet UFO - Soviet made military spec germanium transistors with medium gain. Warm and low noise

  • 1974 Texas Instruments // 1970’s Mullard CV - a pair of mismatched 70’s mil spec germanium transistors. Medium high gain. Low noise. Chimey and articulate.

  • Mullard OC series // Mullard GET - a hybrid pair of 1960’s black glass and metal can Mullard transistors. Medium low gain. Excellent clean-up.

  • Mullard GET // Mullard GET - 70’s Mullard germanium transistors manufactured in the UK. Medium gain with exceptional clean-up.

  • New Market NKT // New Market NKT - a close cousin of the New Market NKT275 transistor used in the earliest runs of Fuzz Faces. These early 60’s New Market transistors are highly regarded for their touch sensitivity and harmonic complexity.

TRANSISTORS:
ENCLOSURE COLOR:
KNOBS:

Build your own premium 3-in-1 Fuzz / Boost kit. Now shipping with vintage caps, carbon comp resistors, and a curated selection of new old stock germanium transistors (see options below).

A tri-germanium fuzz that takes advantage of the shared topology of the 3 transistor MKII Tone Bender and 2 transistor MK1.5 Tone Bender. The fuzz side is a true germanium MK1.5 with an external bias knob that unlocks a range of classic and eccentric fuzz tones. The boost is based on the input stage of the MKII and features an EQ switch to select from three shades of treble boost. The boost can be used as a standalone or stacked with your favorite overdrive for some added color / warmth. Stack both sides for a true MKII Tone Bender.

No expense spared in selecting parts for this build. Each transistor set is tuned with an amp / breadboard and shipped with the same eyelet board construction and components as our custom pedals. Kits include an in-depth build document with diagrams, step-by-step instructions, and build photos. There is also a supplemental overview of modifications for those looking to mod and further tune their pedal. This section includes mods lifted from vintage and boutique variations like the MK1.5 Tone Bender and Diaz Texas Ranger, and circuit analysis for those who wish to take a deeper dive and explore the inner workings of these circuits.


Included in kit:

  • Instructions to build a 1966 Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face / 1965 Rangemaster boost circuit

  • New old stock germanium transistors (options below)

  • Vintage polyester film capacitors and carbon comp resistors

  • Pre-drilled / powder coated enclosure

  • Alpha pots

  • Vintage style jacks

  • FK footswitches and toggle switch

  • Eyelet board

  • LED / metal bezel

  • Your choice of knobs and enclosure color

  • 9V power jack or internal battery power options available


TRANSISTOR OPTIONS

All transistor options are new old stock germanium transistors dating from the early 1960’s to the late 70’s.

  • 1970’s Soviet UFO - Soviet made military spec germanium transistors with medium gain. Warm and low noise

  • 1974 Texas Instruments // 1970’s Mullard CV - a pair of mismatched 70’s mil spec germanium transistors. Medium high gain. Low noise. Chimey and articulate.

  • Mullard OC series // Mullard GET - a hybrid pair of 1960’s black glass and metal can Mullard transistors. Medium low gain. Excellent clean-up.

  • Mullard GET // Mullard GET - 70’s Mullard germanium transistors manufactured in the UK. Medium gain with exceptional clean-up.

  • New Market NKT // New Market NKT - a close cousin of the New Market NKT275 transistor used in the earliest runs of Fuzz Faces. These early 60’s New Market transistors are highly regarded for their touch sensitivity and harmonic complexity.