Tone-Bender Clones or the original?

[Confuzzled]

How many Tone-Bender clones do you think are out there? Both Boutique well known and indie builders?

I've been looking at the original, it's history and then started seeing a sea of clones. Any recommendations? Is the original still the way to go?

[popvulture]

This is a can o' worms... where to even begin?

I'll keep my response simple as I can: there are tons and tons of options. If by "original" you mean vintage, that'd be awesome but really expensive. If you mean a company like JMI, just poke around a little bit and you'll find that there's tons of shady stuff there. I have no idea what the latest chapter of that shitshow is. I think it's best to avoid them.

There are super expensive, insanely well built British options out there like DAM and Pigdog. They're cool but usually not the easiest to come by, and I personally wouldn't spend $400 on a Tonebender.

But yep, tons of builders make great, more affordable options out there. I've had good luck with the Basic Audio Scarab Deluxe and the Analog Man Sun Bender. This video also does a good job of explaining some of the characteristics of the different circuits (as well as other fuzzes).

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJWv4emZdY[/youtube]

[coupleonapkins]

Thanks for that video - the Joe Gore archive is some good stuff (i.e. around the 7:21 mark, re: the Maestro FZ-1):

[frigid midget]

No point in going vintage imo, not unless you're a collector and don't plan to actually use the pedal.
Never messed with these yet, but as far as tonebenders go, I'd want to try an EQD Tone Reaper (affordable hybrid) and a BA Scarab Deluxe...

[Confuzzled]

I was looking at the current production tone benders from the UK and even the input/output are reversed like the old pedals. I know this is a reach but is there a database that has all of the variations or bender copies? Just seems like a very popular copied circuit

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, go spend some time on the D*A*M forum. That's a good introduction to those circuits.

The Scarab Deluxe is a really versatile Tone Bender-ish circuit, but it's not for purists. Might be a good place to start to get a feel for what you're looking for though.

[lordgalvar]

Ghost made some good ones too.

Also, mk I, 1.5, ii or iii. D*A*M forums probably the place to be, like sayeth the Chankgeez.

[Confuzzled]

Ghost made some good ones too.

Also, mk I, 1.5, ii or iii. D*A*M forums probably the place to be, like sayeth the Chankgeez.

Gratitude to the Chankgeez.

Now for the next question: D*A*M????

[lordgalvar]

http://stompboxes.co.uk/forum/index.php

D*A*M is a builder like pigdog, terms, ghost and those guys that really go all out for vintage rebuilds and tweaks.

[DRodriguez]

I'm a big fan of the TOMKAT bender. More modern sound to it. Keep in mind I'm a huge TOMKAT can though, so I may be a little biased. The Magnetic Effects Solar Bender mkii is also fantastic.

[Chankgeez]

I've been wanting to try some faceless fx pedals as well.

[Eivind August]

Had the Fulltone Soul Bender back in the day, which was pretty neat. Think that's a mk III? Fat tones that could be subdued by volume knobbage.

But really, the Blackout FUBAR is the only one that oscillates to my knowledge, and as such is the only viable alternative.

[whoismarykelly]

If a vintage MKII is a realistic option for you then absolutely get one. If I could afford $2000+ vintage fuzzes then I'd own them for sure.

[frigid midget]

Had the Fulltone Soul Bender back in the day, which was pretty neat. Think that's a mk III? Fat tones that could be subdued by volume knobbage.

But really, the Blackout FUBAR is the only one that oscillates to my knowledge, and as such is the only viable alternative.

The Fubar is basically a hot rodded fuzzbear, right? Owned one for a short while. Bought it thinking it was a tone-bender clone capable of some oscillation trickery. Sold it cause it was an oscillation trickery box capable of gimmicking a tone-bender. Barely gimmicking that is, it took carefull tweaking to find one particular setting, and it wasn't exactly the bees knees among tone-bender clones imo.

As a more temperamental fuzz it rules though, it's just not what I was looking for

While we're on the topic of tone-bender derivates...Doesn't the Clusterfuzz have a little bit of Tone-Bender pedrigree as well? I've got one that I'm still stoked about, even way after the honeymoon. Souds tone-bendery enough for my needs, but it can be dialed in to sound like A LOT more.

[Chankgeez]

I don't know if the Clusterfuzz has any Tone Bender pedigree. That'd be a question for culturejam. It's a versatile fuzz, but I wouldn't say it gets rude.