The Official Tone-Bender Klone Klub.

SirJackdeFuzz · Jun 6, 2014

This is for anyone who loves the Tone Bender sound, but can not afford the real deal, and have to look elsewhere for their Bender-fix.

There are many GREAT units out there that is based on the Tone Bender.

Fulltone Soul Bender
Throbak Stone Bender
Ramble FX Twin Bender

. . . and, and, and

I have the Twin Bender and LOVE it.

image removed

And this is NOT my last one . . . not even close.

So post your Tone Bender klones.

And if you can, ad some clips n' pix.

tele salivas · Jun 8, 2014

I love the Tonebender sound. Currently I do not have a proper one; I have a couple treble boosters that are filling that slot; using a clean boost MXR Micro Amp in front of those, gives me that Tonebender vibe but the lows aren't quite there. Putting an MXR Micro Amr or another overdrive or fuzz in front of a Tonebender sound is my favored dirt sound. You got a wide range using the Volume knob of your guitar.
D*A*M 1965 Tone Bender Mk I or a Throbak is on my 'get' list, but I haven't heard the TwinBender. that looks interesting!

SirJackdeFuzz · Jun 8, 2014

tele salivas said:
I love the Tonebender sound. Currently I do not have a proper one; I have a couple treble boosters that are filling that slot; using a clean boost MXR Micro Amp in front of those, gives me that Tonebender vibe but the lows aren't quite there. Putting an MXR Micro Amr or another overdrive or fuzz in front of a Tonebender sound is my favored dirt sound. You got a wide range using the Volume knob of your guitar.
D*A*M 1965 Tone Bender Mk I or a Throbak is on my 'get' list, but I haven't heard the TwinBender. that looks interesting!

I heard about the Twin Bender vai MyLesPaul Forums.
Just like you, i never heard about this pedal before it was talked about on that forum.
I looked into it, and bought it based on the strength of the followers / owners reviews on one forum.
I am very happy with this relatively unknown brand, and it is deff a keeper.

But, i want MORE

FilthyFur74 · Jun 10, 2014

I have about 15-16 different fuzz pedals. About 3 of those are either a clone of or inspired by the Tonebender

- Hudson Stroll On (MKII clone)
- D*A*M Super Bee (Inspired by Italian Tonebender)
- EFE Lucifer Rising (Inspired by Tonebender MKIII/ MKIV, Vox, Rotosound variants. I think!)

I'm also on the list for a Tonebender MKII 'Blue Meanie' from Macaris and would love a MKI that incorporates the twin 2G381 / OC75 tranny setup.

ohiho1010 · Jun 12, 2014

Picked up an Analogman Sun Bender and love it...

kiwi blue · Jan 10, 2017

It's not a zombie thread if it's an owners club eh

Just bought a MkII clone from Dunedin Devil Pedals here in New Zealand. It's called a Mindbender so I'm assuming it's based on the Mindbender clone that's been floating around DIY pedal circles for a few years now.

I bought it online and all I know from the seller/maker is it's a MkII clone with three gE transistors. No idea which transistors.

It arrived yesterday and I've had a decent session with it using a Laney IRT Pulse valve preamp into a small SS practice amp (Fender Bronco). Sounds great to me. Good and crunchy on low gain settings, with more swirl and harmonic craziness at higher gain settings. I enjoy how the overtones interact and swirl when 2 notes are played together, and sometimes it creates ghost notes if there is some dissonance.

My interest in Tonebenders comes from Tony Joe White's music. I've heard him live a few times and he squeezes some great sounds out of his original Coloursound Tonebender and Banana wah.

A friend built a MkII and I tried it on a gig once and loved it. What a glorious roar! At home with a SS practice amp is quite different of course. I'm off to his place tomorrow to compare our Tonebender clones through some great valve amps. Fortunately (for her) his partner will be out of the house!

kiwi blue · Jan 13, 2017

A/B test with my friend's DIY Tonebender was interesting. His sounds noticeably brighter. I wouldn't say one is necessarily better than the other, just different. I do like the low gain crunch of mine. Very valve-like OD. At higher gain settings I like his a little better (mine sounds a little muffled on bass notes in comparison). The real test would be at stage volume.

I've been reading up about germanium transistors this morning and it seems they were very difficult to produce with any sort of consistency. There is huge variation in specs even among the same type of transistor and this also affects their sound in fuzz circuits. So screening and testing are very important.

My Tonebender has one AC127 and two 2N388 transistors. I don't know which ones my friend's pedal has but they are not the same.

Since I only paid NZ$70 I'm totally happy with my purchase, and I enjoy playing it.

bo · Jan 13, 2017

I currently use a JHS Firefly. I like that I can use it in a daisy chain and that it has a bias control. It replaced my Yardbox, which wasn't too shabby either.

Rich_S · Jan 20, 2017

I have an EQD Tone Reaper, sort of a no-fuss Bender for those who love the sound, but don't want to get too persnickety with the vintage details. It's a keeper.

ce24 · Mar 19, 2021

Theres a guy in canada...Arcane Analog that is restoring my original 68 vox tonebender....his stuff looks pretty tight. Small builder, so great communication!

https://arcaneanalog.bigcartel.com/

not affiliated.

soul-o · Mar 19, 2021

The problem with tonebender clones is that the kind of person obsessed with that fuzz really, really want it in the proper box of a tonebender and those are so expensive that you might as well keep saving for a “real one”

SbS · Mar 27, 2021

I got this one, Uraltone Rouhi Mk4 (by J. Paasonen)

It's a kit pedal, but great quality one. My first taste of Tonebender and love it. Earlier had been playing with Fuzz Face types.

4pickupguy · Apr 1, 2021

Joon Park of Moollon goes to unbelievable lengths to recreate classic pedals. I have a few. I have entertained getting a ZOD TB Klone. Couldn’t believe that Boss was asking $350 for theirs...

johnnylaw · May 8, 2021

This here’s got a three-way toggle. The middle slot is a Tonebender Jumbo clone.
Got it one year ago in anticipation of a desert isle chapter in my existence. It’s been great. I have no business wanking on this as I play mostly country sorts of tunes. But,

it sure is fun!

clydethecat · May 8, 2021

I did a silicon "MkII" build using the GGG board, after a decade and dalliances with other fuzz it's still my go-to.

Saucer4 · May 29, 2021

Elektrika (mk1), Stone Bender (mk2), and Twin Bender (mk1.5/mk2) here

KW1977 · Jun 1, 2021

Monolith Santa Muerte (MKI)
MJM Brit Bender 2 knob (MK2)
Magnetic Effects Solar Bender (MK2)
Keeley Fuzz Bender (MK3, si/ge)
Ramble FX Twin Bender (I don’t think I need to say anything here ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

ce24 · Jul 1, 2021

So i have an actual VOX tonebender but it needs a complete rebuild. I can do it but i need a layout diagram not a schematic. And maybe some help with parts….i am proficient at soldering lol. Taking suggestions from the pedal builder gurus here.