Ramble FX Twin Bender UNProfessional Mk II / I.V Fuzz

If you’re a fuzz lover, when you hear the words “Tone Bender,” an instant smile creeps over your face. Used on countless classic rock recordings and live shows by everyone from Pete Townshend to Jeff Beck to Paul McCartney and more, these gray boxes from Sola Sound defined the latter half of the 1960’s. The MkII Professional version of the Tone Bender was made popular by Jimmy Page, having used it on the first few Led Zeppelin albums, and it is the focus of today’s gorgeous recreation. The Twin Bender UNProfessional Mk II / I.V Fuzz comes to us from Ramble FX, and is a brilliant effect to have if you want to conjure up some vintage sounds…

While the original Tone Bender Mk I.V and Professional Mk II pedals featured just two controls, the Twin Bender gives you a little more versatility, to combine classic tones with modern upgrades in sound. Level sets your output volume, while Attack is your fuzz control, setting the gain you want the pedal to produce. There are two toggle switches that further your sonic exploration here as well: the first lets you select Mk I.V (uses 2 transistors, produces less fuzz) or Mk II (uses 3 transistors, for massive amounts of fuzz and sustain), modes, for a wide range of fuzz-laden choices. The second toggle is a 3-position switch that lets you alter the tone, choosing from FAT (enhanced bass freq), MIDS (enhanced mids) or STOCK.

A couple of mini-knobs also adorn the Twin Bender, increasing the already robust tweakability of this pedal. The Bias knob aims to recreate the variations in fuzz and tone from the original units, as temperature would greatly affect the germanium transistors, making each Tone Bender a unique piece of gear. Start this knob fully counter-clockwise, then turn up until you find your own personal sonic sweet spot. On the other side, Impede changes the pedal’s impedance by adding resistance at the input. This helps to restore tone that may be lost by a buffer or wah, and will affect both the tone and the fuzz that is produced.

Using NOS germanium transistors and premium capacitors, the Twin Bender is able to accurately reproduce two of the most beloved and popular fuzz tones ever created. Just listen to it in action in our demo video below, and you’ll immediately understand how powerful and incredible-sounding this fuzz truly can be. An excellent addition to any effect pedalboard setup, you’ll be in classic rock fuzz heaven with this little beauty in no time. Cheers to the crew at Ramble FX for a job well done, as those old units aren’t easy to recreate, and they took the challenge head-on, with wonderful results. Check out their website for more dirt, gain-infused pedals, and check back for more reviews of their gear right here at Pedal of the Day!