AOX Professional MKII
The AOX Profession MKII is my all in one take on all three classic variants of the 1960s Tone Bender® MKII
The MKII is a three-transistor fuzz circuit characterized by its subtle gating and thick mid-focused harmonically rich fuzz tone.
This one features all three classic variants, SCB, 1967, and 1968 interchangeable with a 3 position toggle switch.
The SCB (Short Circuit Board), is sitting at the bottom end of the switch and is based is the earliest version of the MKII this version of the circuit is missing the input drop down capacitor which leaves in all the sonic “artifacts” germanium transistors can produce. The SCB also has a larger value volume (Attack) potentiometer which gives it more low end and an overall warmer tone when compared to the other two.
The ‘67 is in the middle position of the toggle switch and is based on the circuit that is what most people think of when they think MKII and is commonly found in the vintage Sola Sound® branded units. It rides that fine line between subtle gating and totally “open” sounding. It’s crunchy and sustaining and arguably the most iconic fuzz tone out there. This is most likely the variant used by Jimmy Page on the early Led Zeppelin records, specifically the main riff on “How Many More Times.”
The ‘68 variant is at the top end of the toggle and is based on the final evolution of the Vox branded MKIIs that had 3 OC81D transistors*. Historically what made these units distinct has more to do with a dramatically different bias point rather than the than the switch in transistor models. Where the previous versions had a mix of 10K and 47k bias resistors the ‘68 models are biased with all 100k resistors, resulting in a tighter, brighter, and more blistering fuzz tone and a gated front end and completely silent noise floor. This dramatic change in bias point is what gives these units their distinctive tone. **this variation is using OC75 transistors in this position**
All of this is built into a hand painted Hammond 1590P1 enclosure and features Cliff Jacks, full size Alpha potentiometers, a high quality Alpha foot switch, stainless steel Keystone battery holster, a red indicator LED, and Carling center negative standard DC jack.**due to the nature of vintage PNP germanium transistors this pedal can only be powered using an isolated power supply.**
The circuit board is loaded up using top shelf vintage components, including new old stock (NOS) black glass OC75 germanium transistors, NOS capacitors from Roederstein, Goodall, Callins, and ERO as well as carbon comp resistors all laid out in the classic and time tested vintage MKII strip board design.
This pedal comes with your choice of Marshall style silver cap or black chicken head knobs. If not specified in the notes section or email I will default to Marshall style knobs.
The first person to order one these will receive a free bonus pedal.
I only have 10 of this batch available so get one before they’re gone!
these are expected to ship no later than June, 5th 2025
**please note I am in no way affiliated with Sola Sound, Vox, Marshall, or the trademarked Tone Bender name in any way. I am only using these names as historic references.**
The AOX Profession MKII is my all in one take on all three classic variants of the 1960s Tone Bender® MKII
The MKII is a three-transistor fuzz circuit characterized by its subtle gating and thick mid-focused harmonically rich fuzz tone.
This one features all three classic variants, SCB, 1967, and 1968 interchangeable with a 3 position toggle switch.
The SCB (Short Circuit Board), is sitting at the bottom end of the switch and is based is the earliest version of the MKII this version of the circuit is missing the input drop down capacitor which leaves in all the sonic “artifacts” germanium transistors can produce. The SCB also has a larger value volume (Attack) potentiometer which gives it more low end and an overall warmer tone when compared to the other two.
The ‘67 is in the middle position of the toggle switch and is based on the circuit that is what most people think of when they think MKII and is commonly found in the vintage Sola Sound® branded units. It rides that fine line between subtle gating and totally “open” sounding. It’s crunchy and sustaining and arguably the most iconic fuzz tone out there. This is most likely the variant used by Jimmy Page on the early Led Zeppelin records, specifically the main riff on “How Many More Times.”
The ‘68 variant is at the top end of the toggle and is based on the final evolution of the Vox branded MKIIs that had 3 OC81D transistors*. Historically what made these units distinct has more to do with a dramatically different bias point rather than the than the switch in transistor models. Where the previous versions had a mix of 10K and 47k bias resistors the ‘68 models are biased with all 100k resistors, resulting in a tighter, brighter, and more blistering fuzz tone and a gated front end and completely silent noise floor. This dramatic change in bias point is what gives these units their distinctive tone. **this variation is using OC75 transistors in this position**
All of this is built into a hand painted Hammond 1590P1 enclosure and features Cliff Jacks, full size Alpha potentiometers, a high quality Alpha foot switch, stainless steel Keystone battery holster, a red indicator LED, and Carling center negative standard DC jack.**due to the nature of vintage PNP germanium transistors this pedal can only be powered using an isolated power supply.**
The circuit board is loaded up using top shelf vintage components, including new old stock (NOS) black glass OC75 germanium transistors, NOS capacitors from Roederstein, Goodall, Callins, and ERO as well as carbon comp resistors all laid out in the classic and time tested vintage MKII strip board design.
This pedal comes with your choice of Marshall style silver cap or black chicken head knobs. If not specified in the notes section or email I will default to Marshall style knobs.
The first person to order one these will receive a free bonus pedal.
I only have 10 of this batch available so get one before they’re gone!
these are expected to ship no later than June, 5th 2025
**please note I am in no way affiliated with Sola Sound, Vox, Marshall, or the trademarked Tone Bender name in any way. I am only using these names as historic references.**
The AOX Profession MKII is my all in one take on all three classic variants of the 1960s Tone Bender® MKII
The MKII is a three-transistor fuzz circuit characterized by its subtle gating and thick mid-focused harmonically rich fuzz tone.
This one features all three classic variants, SCB, 1967, and 1968 interchangeable with a 3 position toggle switch.
The SCB (Short Circuit Board), is sitting at the bottom end of the switch and is based is the earliest version of the MKII this version of the circuit is missing the input drop down capacitor which leaves in all the sonic “artifacts” germanium transistors can produce. The SCB also has a larger value volume (Attack) potentiometer which gives it more low end and an overall warmer tone when compared to the other two.
The ‘67 is in the middle position of the toggle switch and is based on the circuit that is what most people think of when they think MKII and is commonly found in the vintage Sola Sound® branded units. It rides that fine line between subtle gating and totally “open” sounding. It’s crunchy and sustaining and arguably the most iconic fuzz tone out there. This is most likely the variant used by Jimmy Page on the early Led Zeppelin records, specifically the main riff on “How Many More Times.”
The ‘68 variant is at the top end of the toggle and is based on the final evolution of the Vox branded MKIIs that had 3 OC81D transistors*. Historically what made these units distinct has more to do with a dramatically different bias point rather than the than the switch in transistor models. Where the previous versions had a mix of 10K and 47k bias resistors the ‘68 models are biased with all 100k resistors, resulting in a tighter, brighter, and more blistering fuzz tone and a gated front end and completely silent noise floor. This dramatic change in bias point is what gives these units their distinctive tone. **this variation is using OC75 transistors in this position**
All of this is built into a hand painted Hammond 1590P1 enclosure and features Cliff Jacks, full size Alpha potentiometers, a high quality Alpha foot switch, stainless steel Keystone battery holster, a red indicator LED, and Carling center negative standard DC jack.**due to the nature of vintage PNP germanium transistors this pedal can only be powered using an isolated power supply.**
The circuit board is loaded up using top shelf vintage components, including new old stock (NOS) black glass OC75 germanium transistors, NOS capacitors from Roederstein, Goodall, Callins, and ERO as well as carbon comp resistors all laid out in the classic and time tested vintage MKII strip board design.
This pedal comes with your choice of Marshall style silver cap or black chicken head knobs. If not specified in the notes section or email I will default to Marshall style knobs.
The first person to order one these will receive a free bonus pedal.
I only have 10 of this batch available so get one before they’re gone!
these are expected to ship no later than June, 5th 2025
**please note I am in no way affiliated with Sola Sound, Vox, Marshall, or the trademarked Tone Bender name in any way. I am only using these names as historic references.**