This is a model that many pedal enthusiasts may never encounter in their lifetime. The Tone Bender MKI was produced in 1965, with around 50 units produced!
The tone bender is the Gibson Maestro Fuzz-Tone.BassThis pedal is comprised of a circuit equipped with three transistors that have been redesigned to be identical to the original. Even today, countless replicas are made, and it has had a major influence on fuzz pedals and other pedals of the future.Engineer Gary Hurst began making and selling these in the summer of 1965.The earliest examples were housed in wooden cases said to have been made by his brother. This was a prototype, and later a gold-finished folded steel case was used. MkI production is said to have ended in December 1965. This was followed by the Mk2, Mk3 (Mk4), famous for being used by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, and the Mk1.5, which had two transistors.
Size: 20.5 x 10.5 x 6 cm (including protrusions on the bottom)
Weight: 970g It gives a very heavy impression.Material: Steel → The logo is available in instant lettering and silkscreen. This model is silkscreen.It's made of folded steel. It has a luxurious gold finish and a silkscreen logo. The gold isn't a solid color, but rather reflects light and sparkles when viewed from different angles. This is similar to the image you might see on a gold-top Les Paul.The "TONE BENDER" letters are tall and somewhat thin. The "SOLA SOUNDS LTD" letters are written in small letters near the left shoulder. It can be removed by removing the four small screws on the side. There are no rubber feet on the bottom, and the casing itself has four round protrusions. It is heavy and very solidly built, so it remains stable no matter how much you step on it, and is sturdy enough not to break even if you roll it.
With the "ATTACK" control at 0, distortion is already present, and just like the wooden case model, distortion suddenly increases from the 9 o'clock position, with little difference in the amount of distortion thereafter. The overall sound is mild, gated, and rounded high-gain fuzz, and when you turn down the guitar volume, it becomes more like a mild overdrive rather than a bell-like clean tone.
The distortion is different from the wooden case version, and it gives off a wild sound that is completely different from a replica.
The transistors used are one OC75 (Mullard) and two 2G381 (Texas Instruments). Other features include 500KΩ (LEVEL)/50KΩ (ATTACK) potentiometers, CLIFF IN/OUT jacks, a chunky black HUNTS A337, WIMA 25/15 and 0.01/400 capacitors, and Allen Bradley resistors. The battery snap has been replaced. Other minor repairs can be seen in the soldering.
The column by our staff member Sano isHerefrom.
Year: 1965
Accessories: None
in charge : Sano (Sano)
※The warranty period begins from the date of purchase1It will be months.
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