Test Pressing - Tonebender MK1 & Zonk Machine
'test pressing / limited distribution' is a draft name mostly for addictive MKI/Zonk style units which may lead to new models... or not. you bet each of these is pretty special and come with a good amount of quality nos parts. message for more photos of particular unit or see my instagram page.
#1 is pretty much classic MKI tonebender circuit. tuned for obese, wooly, sluggish response and reasonable balance between sustain & gating. moderate output, good amount of low-end and crispy highs - especially compared to regular MKI supreme model (which is always tuned for dirty, compressed midrange hump).
circuit is executed with transistors combo of mazda AC113, mullard OC81DM and extremely rare philips OC13H, plus allen bradley 1W resistors, wima, vishay and GEC caps, vintage phenolic board… plum purple metallic finish with silver metallic screen print, dakaware knobs.
#2 is an untypical modified MKI tonebender circuit. i wanted it appear brutalist both in look and tone-wise. it's got big low-end that's not completely fuzzed-out, rather mellow and 'liquid', monumental yet organised. overall character is concrete-smooth-and-solid, not far from an eastern muff style... and it's still a MKI.
this unit is loaded with a pair of NKT274 plus NKT12 transistors, new old stock miflex capacitors & vishay electrolytic, allen bradley 1W resistors, vintage phenolic board. 'brick' finish with sovtek style knobs to match the sound.
#3 test pressing unit is a recreation of a special zonk machine sample. built with some schematic tweaks as original unit, and with very close to OG parts selection. spot here pair of mullard OC71 and philips CV7355 transistors, nos iskra resistors, tropical fish and lemco caps plus vishay electrolytic, off-switch at swell pot.
this particular unit is tuned for marvellous low-gain tones. smooth attack and texture work wonders for the fuzz sound, while preserving some of mellow bass content and overall well balanced tonal range. it's low gain, but it doesn't gate a lot - it rather sustains notes to natural decay. output level is noticeably higher than horne series so with this one you can push amp a little.
silver/mint colour with metallic silver print looks absolutely phenomenal, too.
#4 is called 'supa zonk' for a good reason.
tuned for a nasty attack with extended low-end range (without MKI style bass overload) and super hefty output, all work for thunder-like experience. this is the most aggressive zonk style pedal i made, no regrets ⚡
built on a MKI-style vintage phenolic board with all new old stock parts: super hot germanium combo of texas instruments 2G306, newmarket CV5416 and philips OC13H, iskra and piher resistors, hunts & roe & el menco caps. sweet plum finish with metallic silver print.
all units are powered with 9V batter only.
