BPC MKI Wooden Case Prototype Tone Bender
The UK fuzz box phenomenon began in 1965 when electronics engineer Gary Stewart Hurst designed an effects pedal called a Tone Bender. The first production version of the Tone Bender is referred to as the Tone Bender MKI. The MKI featured a three transistor circuit that was based upon the Gibson built Maestro Fuzz-tone. This circuit was modified by Hurst to produce more sustain than its American counter part. The story goes that guitar legend Vic Flick, the man responsible for the James Bond Theme, brought a Fuzz-tone (FZ-1) to Hurst and requested the sustain to be increased. The Tone Bender was one the first ever British made Fuzz box available to the public and sold for 14 guineas. THE BIRTH OF BRITISH FUZZ WAS BORN!
Casing
The original “PROTOTYPE” units were housed in a primitive wooden box case and were distributed to session players on the London scene including Jeff Beck. Due to Beck’s heavy use of the pedal he smashed the unit with his heavy foot stomping movements while playing on stage. As word got out about Gary Hurst new design he changed the construction material to steel in order to live up to the rigours of stage use. Comments If Fuzz is your thing then the above will be of interest from both players and collectors a like that creates both the look styling and tone of Britains most famous and iconic of all fuzz effects
BPC MKI Tone Bender
- 1965 Prototype Reissue
- Hand Produced
- Wooden Wedge Shape Case
- Point to point Wiring (Non Circuit board)
- 2x 2G381 + 1x OC75
- Correct Period Aluminium Knobs
- Top Input Jack
- Rear Output Jack
- Manual On/Off Switch
- Hand Stained Finish
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Related products
Transistor Tone Guide
2G381:This is what gives the MKI its sag when you bend a note. They are key to the MKIs Tone.
OC75: Bright and high gain, snappy in tone, sounds raspy in a 2 transistor circuit such as the MKI.5