Vox Tonebender MK1.5 Style Fuzz Pedal Orig. SFT 337/OC76 Germanium LISTEN

Description

Vox Tonebender MK1.5 Style Fuzz Pedal
RARE SFT 337 / OC76
UPDATE-
If you prefer, I will build with NOS, period correct carbon comp resistors (they look cool but they drift, are noisier and do not change tone/generate harmonics in low voltage circuits)
The pics and clips are of a unit that just sold, but in the same batch of transistors I was able to find another great sounding pair.   It will appear near identical in build and sound, as the acceptable transistor matches were all made at the same time using the same tests.
Ebay feedback from the last buyer of this pedal "
Good deal! Love it! Smashes an AC15
!!!"
"
Also from buyer, "
Great pedal! In front of a rangemaster, awesome! Quiet! Noiseless!
"
AUDIO CLIPS:
https://soundcloud.com/user-846582201/sets/vox-tonebender-mk15-style-fuzz-oc76sft337
Strat w/coil split Bridge Humbucker -> Vox Tonebender with bass switch on -> EF86 Vox Ac15 (Amp volume low/clean, no breakup, amp tone 65% open) or original early 50s Supro 5w (1 knob amp, so tone is all the way open) -> Suhr Reactive Load -> Apogee Symphony I/O -> MixIR2 -> FF RF Room IR 100%, Close Mic 70% NO EQ OR COMPRESSION
A MK1.5 style Vox Tonebender fuzz with the exceptionally rare, original SFT 337 / OC76 germanium transistors.
Very fun to play, hard to stop playing.  The sound is super touch responsive and expressive with tons of snarl, rich, saturated fuzz with great sustain, crunch and remarkable cleanup.
More bite, glassier on cleanup and more evil than a fuzz face while still being warm, light and airy.  I know, WTF?...
Studio/road ready and as low noise as it will get.
Improvements/Modifications
-Shielded, high quality low capacitance wiring throughout (the same used in my pro audio builds) to ensure quietest possible operation
-Precision low noise metal film resistors
-Full range bass switch (the original stock position has a strong high pass filter)
-Lock washers and threadlock have been used on every metal screw connection.
Components
Every component has been tested against many others of
similar and different era and composition
to get the most desirable characteristics out of the circuit.
About
I started building pedals in 2009 so that I could have sounds that compared to the best examples of the originals.
For my personal collection I have built these fuzz pedals (and others) and spared no expense using all original components-
Maestro FZ1
Tonebender MKI
Tonebender MKII Professional
Fuzz Face (GE and SI)
Selmer Buzztone (GE and SI)
Mosrite Fuzzrite (GE and SI)
Maestro FZ1S
Axis Fuzz
Jordan Bosstone
Harmonic Percolator
Shin-ei FY2
Vox Tonebender
Many of these took months and some took years of failing and rebuilding to achieve performance that exceeded that of the best examples I had found.
Through this process some were taken to new levels with slight modifications.
I originally passed on the Vox Tonebender as the demos I heard didn’t sound very good.
Many sounded clangy, shrill or watered down, like there was more clean tone than fuzz and many had poor sustain.
Upon coming across some exceptionally rare SFT337 transistors, I did more researching.
Two videos of originals showed a unique and desirable fuzz characteristic that I hadn’t heard in previous demos.
After building this pedal, I have a better understanding of how hard it is to get a sound like the best examples I found, and why there are so many originals and modern builds that don't sound up to that level.
To my ears, this circuit differs from others of its era in that the even order harmonic content seems to engulf the sound,
making the fuzz sound warmer and multiple notes sound more in tune while still allowing attack to cut through.
Predating the fuzz face but sharing a similar circuit, it is has more presence, attitude, snarl, definition, less tubby low end, more exaggerated compression artifacts at heavy pick attack and slightly bouncier cleanup.
This, combined with the harmonic warmth is a killer combination that stands out from the other models in the tonebender and fuzz face family.
I have tested against different types of transistors and the tone and feel/playability is not as natural with others as it is with the SFT 337.
When building this pedal and auditioning components, I specifically focused on
-forwardness of midrange
-bite
-snarl
-sustain
-fullness
-top end clarity
-warmth
-feel/responsiveness
-cleanup
As is the case with all vintage electronics, item is sold as is, no returns, and due to the age of some of the components involved, I will only guarantee that it will not be DOA.
THANK YOU!
Please see my feedback rating and recent positive feedback!  I have recently sold a
Spectra Sonics 110 4 channel Microphone Preamplifier (99),
a
Spectra Sonics 110A 4 channel Microphone Preamplifier (99)
and an
Electrodyne 610LSEQ pair of vintage equalizers (99)
and have sold many rare audiophile tubes and vintage components to 100% satisfied customers.
Comment from buyer of a Spectra Sonics 110A unit, a world class studio owner-
"I used your pre's today on Electric guitar... wow they were killer!! Used an old rca 44 and a u47... Great sounds man!!
Recent comment on last Spectra Sonics listing (from a different ebay user)-
"I just wanted to compliment you on doing a gorgeous job on these, you did it right and then some. Whoever buys them is getting a hell of a deal, and you can post this to your listing if you like, I'd stand behind that work all day."
r*******k (134)
100.0% Positive Feedback
Member since May-28-01 in United
PAYPAL
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If you are bidding on another item and want to wait, you must contact me within 48 hours.
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THANK YOU!