Z1 - MK1 Zonk Machine - 3 Transistor fuzz

Join the mailing list HERE to get notified of next batch drop

This fuzz is my homage to the John Hornby Skewes MK1 ZONK MACHINE, which is a close cousin of the MK1 Tonebender. Using my own tweaked version of the original MK1 three transistor Zonk circuit, ive been able to achieve the elusive mk1 tone but WITH SILICON TRANSISTORS. Using a matched set of super rare vintage 'New Old Stock' Mullard/Philips BC108C

A high gain super textured fuzz with octave overtones.

Built using a very sort after vintage silicon transistors, and high spec new components. Built using JB and Vishay capacitors, Lumburg jacks and alpha pots.

AHHH Silicon ... I hear all the Ge nerds muttering. I can honestly say that with carefully chosen and measured components the actual differences between Si and Ge in this circuit are much more subtle than you would believe. Have a listen to the demo and see for your self...

I build these fuzz pedals in my garden workshop in Northamptonshire UK. This includes painting, drilling, and acid etching my design onto the enclosures. Constructing the entire circuit ‘Point to Point’ only using the components, there's no boards or circuit traces to dilute your signal purity. I finish the entire pedal to a standard that I think looks as good inside, as it sounds on the outside. It might be covered up but when you’re in that moment you KNOW the mojo you have under the hood.

Please be aware, these are totally hand built and so there might me some slight cosmetic variation between each pedal. The acid etching process produces a gunmetal patina on the enclosure with will vary from pedal to pedal. This is most noticeable on the sides and imparts a unique character to each pedal. Tonally, I play each one to make sure they sound as good as the first one, before signing off, no tone generator, no gadgets – just a telecaster and my ears.

Please note, all my silicon pedals have a boss style 2.1 center negative DC jack only, there is no battery snap. Silicon transistors are not sensitive to DC supply type unlike their germanium counterparts.

Thank you for reading, if you have any questions about this pedal feel free to message me.

RF interference - Many old fuzz circuits are vunerable to Radio Frequency Interference from a host of different modern electronic devices ranging from lighting to heating controllers to fridges. This is by the nature of the design and to reduce the chances of this happening would radically alter how the pedal sounds. If you are having problems with RF using one of my pedals here are a few resources that can help. RF interference is not down to a faulty pedal.