Edge of Breakup
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Two Tone Benders in One! | Expresso FX Mojo Edition Fuzz Bender MKII & MKI.V
Expresso FX returns to the channel with the Mojo Edition Fuzz Bender MKII & MKI.V — two historic fuzz classics in one pedal, all loaded with NOS CV7005 germanium transistors. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
The Expresso FX Mojo Edition Fuzz Bender MKII & MKI.V pairs with the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab SG — Righteous Sound RAF A4/A2 Humbuckers, Emerson Custom Prewired Kit and Treble Bleeds — into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Effectrode Tube Vibe and Benson Tall Bird+ Harmonic Tremolo also feature.
Sof at Expresso FX combines two distinct three-transistor and two-transistor Tone Bender-family circuits into one enclosure, both running NOS CV7005 germanium transistors — three transistors total across the combined circuit for the MKII, with the MKI.V offering its own dual-transistor character as a switchable mode.
MKII Mode (explored from 01:50) is the fuller, thicker Sola Sound Tone Bender MKII voicing — richer low end and more sustain than the earlier MKI, the sound that defined the sludgier end of British psychedelic and early hard rock guitar. Fuzz Level and Attack are explored across their full range from 02:57 through 05:23, with the volume knob cleanup on both neck and bridge humbuckers explored from 06:14.
MKI.V Mode (explored from 09:43) sits between a Fuzz Face and a full Tone Bender MKI — thicker and wilder than a straightforward Fuzz Face, but less aggressive than the three-transistor MKI. The Attack knob and reduced Output are the primary creative tools here, with an extensive volume knob cleanup exploration from 10:09 and again at 13:46, this time with the Benson Tall Bird+ Harmonic Tremolo engaged from 14:05.
The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab SG's Righteous Sound RAF A4 neck (~6.9K) and A2 bridge (~7.5K) humbuckers give both fuzz modes plenty of vintage PAF character to work with — open and airy in the neck, warm and vintage-voiced in the bridge.
🎛️ Expresso FX: https://expressofx.com
🎸 Righteous Sound Pickups: https://www.righteoussoundpickups.com
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Gibson Custom Murphy Lab '64 SG Standard | Aged Pelham Blue | Righteous Sound RAF (A4 Neck / A2 Bridge) | Emerson Custom Prewired Kit + Treble Bleeds
🎛️ Expresso FX Mojo Edition Fuzz Bender MKII & MKI.V | 3x NOS CV7005 Ge | Dual Circuit | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🎛️ Also: Benson Tall Bird+ Harmonic Tremolo
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Single Pickup Guitars Rule! | Grez Guitars Mendocino Jr.
Grez Guitars returns to the channel — this time featuring Barry's Mendocino Junior with a Ron Ellis P90 in the bridge. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
The Grez Guitars Mendocino Junior — Ron Ellis P90 bridge pickup, Emerson Custom Prewired Kit with 500K pots and Treble Bleed on the volume pot — pairs with the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Expresso FX Beige Dual Ge/Si Fuzz and Ge Boost and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature throughout.
The Ron Ellis P90 in the bridge position brings Ron's molecular-level materials research to the soapbar format — the same engineering approach he applies to his humbuckers, delivering clarity and dynamic touch response rather than the raw, uncontrolled midrange some P90s are known for. Paired with the Mendocino Junior's compact offset body, the result is articulate and expressive across the demo's full range of clean, pushed, and cranked amp tones.
The Expresso FX Beige Dual Ge/Si Fuzz and Ge Boost is a two-circuit pedal from Sof, built in the UK with zero compromise on components. The Fuzz Face-style side is switchable between three transistors — NOS CV7005 germanium, NOS AC128 germanium, and NOS OC202 silicon — giving three distinct fuzz voicings from a single circuit, explored starting at 08:09 through the volume knob cleanup at 08:52 and into the Effectrode Tube Vibe at 09:58. The Ge Boost side uses an NOS OC45 germanium transistor — the same transistor found in the earliest Dallas Rangemaster units — delivering classic treble booster character, explored from 04:34 with volume knob cleanup at 05:42 and slamming the Benson Vinny Dirt Channel at 13:02.
The Benson Amps Vincent's cascading architecture — a 1-watt Vinny Dirt Channel feeding into the 30-watt Clean Channel — is explored throughout, from clean-ish tones at 01:37 through the cranked Clean Channel at 03:15 and the Vinny Dirt Channel activated at 10:52.
🎸 Grez Guitars: https://www.grezguitars.com
🎸 Ron Ellis Pickups: https://www.ronellispickups.com
🎛️ Expresso FX: https://expressofx.com
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Grez Guitars Mendocino Junior | Ron Ellis P90 (Bridge) | Emerson Custom Prewired Kit | 500K Pots | Treble Bleed
🎛️ Expresso FX Beige Dual Ge/Si Fuzz & Ge Boost | CV7005 + AC128 Ge / OC202 Si (Fuzz) | OC45 Ge (Boost) | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse featuring Wide Sky Guitars P125c
Bennett Custom Audio makes its channel debut with the Lighthouse — Mark Bennett's Amplitude Modulating Amplifier, and one of the most fully-featured tremolo pedals ever built. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
The Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse pairs with the Wide Sky Guitars P125C Cutaway with Curtis Novak P90s and Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds, into the Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Echo Fix EF-X3 and Meris MercuryX Reverb run in the effects loop.
Bennett Custom Audio builds in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada — every Lighthouse hand-assembled by Mark Bennett.
The Lighthouse is a contemporary, pedal-sized take on vintage tremolo-equipped tube amplifiers. What separates it from every other tremolo pedal is the all-analog signal path that includes a discrete preamp with Gain, Presence, and Volume controls — this isn't a modulation pedal with a drive stage bolted on, it's a preamp with a sophisticated modulation circuit built around it. The Gain, Presence, and Volume shape the core tone. A separate Tilt EQ then acts only on the wet signal — allowing the modulated and unmodulated signals to have different tonal characters simultaneously, explored throughout the demo.
Two tremolo modes with separate, individually-tuned signal paths: Harmonic mode modulates bass and treble frequencies out of phase from each other — the lush, vibey sound of a brownface-era Fender amp where the frequency content swims rather than simply pulses (explored from 10:26). Bias mode uses an additional long-tailed pair and push-pull amplifier stage to push the signal in and out of distortion — the LFO drives the amplifier circuit itself, like a vintage tube amp's bias tremolo, producing a rougher, more characterful throb (explored from 02:32).
Six total tremolo flavors: two modes combined with three waveforms — Square (in Bias mode activates "Chop" mode where Intensity controls duty cycle rather than depth), Sine (explored at 04:43 as a personal favorite slow Sine setting), and Sawtooth. Rate, Intensity, Mix controls. Tap tempo with three subdivisions: quarter notes (1x), eighth notes (2x), triplets (3x). Tap-and-hold ramp function: hold left footswitch to ramp rate down, hold right to ramp rate up — returns to original setting on release. Proprietary high-voltage internal power circuitry. Powered by 9-24VDC.
🎛️ Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse: https://www.bennettcustomaudio.ca/lighthouse 🎸 Wide Sky Guitars: https://www.wideskyguitars.com 🎸 Curtis Novak Pickups: https://www.curtisnovak.com 🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Wide Sky Guitars P125C | Curtis Novak P90s | Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds 🎛️ Bennett Custom Audio Lighthouse | Bias + Harmonic Tremolo | Preamp (Gain/Presence/Volume) | Tilt EQ (Wet Only) | Tap Tempo | 3 Subdivisions | 3 Waveforms | Hand-Built in Ontario 🎛️ Also: Echo Fix EF-X3 | Meris MercuryX Reverb 🔊 Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Best Vintage Style Fuzz?! | R2R Electric Replica Series MK1.5 Fuzz
R2R Electric returns to the channel with the second of the eBay auction wins — the Replica Series MK1.5 Fuzz, serial number 2. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
Also watch: R2R Electric Replica Series MKII Fuzz, serial number 3: https://youtu.be/WQKbxvUN4_k
In this episode the R2R Electric Replica Series MK1.5 Fuzz gets its full showcase — paired with the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab '64 SG Standard in Aged Pelham Blue, Righteous Sound RAF A4/A2 Humbuckers, Emerson Custom Prewired Kit and Treble Bleeds, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Effectrode Tube Vibe joins from 07:39.
Get on the R2R Electric mailing list: https://www.r2relectric.com/
Follow R2R Electric: https://www.instagram.com/djlavalamp
The MK1.5 is the transitional circuit between the Fuzz Face and the Tone Bender MKI — a two-transistor design that uses 100K potentiometers rather than the Fuzz Face's standard values, producing a character that has the interactive volume knob cleanup of a Fuzz Face but with a denser, more compressed midrange and thicker low end. The tonal difference between the MK1.5 and the MKII in the companion video is a study in how small circuit variations within the British fuzz lineage produce dramatically different results — the MKII's three-transistor openness against the MK1.5's two-transistor density.
The R2R Electric Replica Series represents Chris Vincent's most exacting work — a part-for-part, component-for-component recreation using the exact same types of components used in the original pedals. In Chris's own words: "part for part the most accurate I'm able to build." Serial number 2 of this build. Loaded with Mullard branded OC75 "British Made" germanium transistors — the exact transistors found in the original MK1.5 units. NOS passive components throughout. Hand-wired point-to-point. Place first in signal chain before any buffered bypass pedals.
The Bias knob explored from 02:05 (colder bias) and 13:19 (hotter bias) gives the MK1.5 a wide range of tonal character — colder settings produce crunchier, more aggressive rhythm tones with more gate; hotter settings give phatter, more compressed tones with more midrange and smoother cleanup. Volume knob cleanup with colder bias from 04:06. Attack knob explored from 09:57 and 17:46.
🎛️ R2R Electric: https://www.r2relectric.com
🎸 Righteous Sound Pickups: https://www.righteoussoundpickups.com
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Gibson Custom Murphy Lab '64 SG Standard | Aged Pelham Blue | Righteous Sound RAF (A4 Neck / A2 Bridge) | Emerson Custom Prewired Kit + Treble Bleeds | Murphy Lab Light Aged
🎛️ R2R Electric Replica Series MK1.5 Fuzz | Serial #2 | Mullard OC75 "British Made" NOS Ge | Part-for-Part MK1.5 Recreation | Bias + Attack + Level | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Absolutely Killer Semi-Hollow | Josh Williams Guitars Mockingbird
Josh Williams Guitars returns to the channel — this time with the Mockingbird in '59 Burst, and Reeves Electro makes their third channel appearance with the ZO Professional Fuzz. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Josh Williams Guitars Mockingbird takes center stage — '59 Burst finish, Tone Specific Bloombucker Humbuckers, trapeze tailpiece — into the Benson Amps Vincent head and Benson 2x12" cab via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Reeves Electro ZO Professional Fuzz and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature throughout.
Also on the channel: Josh Williams Guitars Mockingbird in Pelham Blue. Also on the channel: Reeves Electro Facet IZ Fuzz and Darlington Flyer.
Josh Williams builds in Vista, Southern California — a small dedicated team, every guitar a custom order built individually to the player's specifications. The Mockingbird is Josh's refined take on the classic 1960s ES-style semi-hollow: pressed maple top, back, and sides around a carefully selected centerblock. 16" lower bout. Mahogany neck. Rosewood fingerboard with MOP split parallelogram inlays. 24.75" scale. Bone nut. Kluson tuners with pearl buttons. Cream binding throughout. 2 Volume / 2 Tone / 3-way Toggle. This build has a trapeze tailpiece and '59 Burst finish — a different animal aesthetically and tonally from the Pelham Blue stop tail build on the channel.
The Tone Specific Bloombucker is a PAF-voiced humbucker built around the specific quality found in vintage 1950s PAFs — the "bloom." Notes swell slightly rather than decay linearly, giving chords a three-dimensional quality. Warm but not muddy, dynamic but not harsh.
The Reeves Electro ZO Professional is Markus Reeves' Zonk Machine MKII homage in the Professional Wedge format — his own tweaked version of the original two-transistor silicon Zonk circuit. NOS TO98 Sprague 2N2926 Green Dot silicon transistors from the late 1960s, matched pair. Mid-gain, super textured fuzz with heavy octave overtones and that distinctly angular, percussive Zonk MKII character.
Three controls: Volume, Drift (mimics how original component values drift over decades — acts like a cross between a fuzz and a bias control, with a wide range of usable settings — max is not the only option), Texture (adds graininess and affects the decay character, making notes crumble more aggressively as they die). Hand-sprayed hammer finish, point-to-point construction, acid-etched enclosure. The Professional Wedge format is the same footprint as the Facet IZ from the previous Reeves Electro demo.
🎸 Josh Williams Guitars: https://joshwilliamsguitars.com 🎸 Tone Specific: https://www.tonespecific.com 🎛️ Reeves Electro: https://reeveselectro.co.uk 🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Josh Williams Guitars Mockingbird | '59 Burst | Pressed Maple Semi-Hollow | Tone Specific Bloombuckers | Trapeze Tailpiece | 24.75" 🎛️ Reeves Electro ZO Professional | NOS Sprague 2N2926 Green Dot Si | Zonk Machine MKII Topology | Volume / Drift / Texture | Point-to-Point 🎛️ Also: Effectrode Tube Vibe 🔊 Benson Amps Vincent Head + Benson 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
This Amp is Still Surprising Me | Benson Amps Vincent
Benson Amps returns to the channel with a full dedicated showcase of the Vincent head — 30 watts of cascading Vinny into Chimera/Monarch-esque clean channel magic. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Benson Amps Vincent head and Benson 2x12" cabinet take center stage — featuring the BilT Guitars DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig with Lollar La Prima Mini-Humbuckers and Emerson Custom Treble Bleed, into Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Benson Amps Preamp and Germanium Fuzz feature from 10:17 onward.
Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
The Benson Amps Vincent is a 30-watt channel-switching amplifier with a genuinely unique architecture: it cascades a 1-watt Vinny Dirt Channel into a 30-watt Chimera/Monarch-esque Clean Channel. The Vinny Dirt Channel is the pre-gain stage — a warm, harmonically rich 1-watt gain circuit that feeds directly into the front end of the 30-watt Clean Channel. The result is an amp that produces a Monarch-style clean tone at its foundation but can be driven by the Vinny circuit for pushed and cranked tones that feel organic and amp-driven rather than pedal-driven. The only Benson amp with an onboard effects loop — tube powered, placed post-Vinny and pre-Clean Channel power amp gain.
Three core tonal zones explored in this demo: the clean channel alone from 03:53 — wide, open, and detailed; the clean channel pushed with the Benson Preamp pedal as the gain source from 10:17; and the fully cranked clean channel boosted first by the Benson Preamp and then by the Benson Germanium Fuzz from 20:51. The Vinny Dirt Channel activated at 25:40 in Low Gain mode and 28:50 in High Gain mode, boosting the already-cranked Clean Channel from below.
Two-band EQ. Tube powered effects loop. Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander used here for light attenuation with reverb duties added post-Vincent pre-and-power-amp gain, pre-speaker cab.
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers 🎸 BilT Guitars: https://biltguitars.com 🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 BilT DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig | 300-Year-Old Reclaimed Pine | Chambered | Lollar La Prima Mini-HB | Emerson Custom Treble Bleed 🎛️ Benson Amps Preamp | Benson Amps Germanium Fuzz 🔊 Benson Amps Vincent Head | 30W | 1W Vinny Dirt Channel Cascading into Chimera-esque Clean Channel | 2-Band EQ | Tube Effects Loop | Benson 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Get that Sparkle and Sizzle Back in Your Tone! | Emerson Custom 1 Meg Premier Pro Pots
Emerson Custom returns to the channel with their brand new 1 Meg Premier Pro Potentiometers — and they are a game changer for Jazzmaster-style guitars. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Emerson Custom 1 Meg Premier Pro Pots take center stage — installed in the Black Bobbin Chicago Phantone with Lollar '63 Jazzmaster Pickups and Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Keeley-modded Ibanez TS9 Tubescreamer and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature throughout.
Get the Emerson Premier Pro 1 Meg Pots: https://emersoncustom.com/products/emerson-premier-pro-potentiometers?sca_ref=6282128.5O9h8BhMpG
Check out the Black Bobbin Phantone: https://blackbobbin.com/collections/black-bobbin-phantone
Lollar '63 Jazzmaster Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/63-jazzmaster
The Emerson Custom Premier Pro Potentiometers were three years in development — born out of frustration with COVID-era supply chain failures and Mitch's refusal to settle for the industry norm that CTS pots are "good enough." The result: a completely in-house designed and manufactured pot built from the ground up to Emerson's own specifications. Fiberglass substrate instead of the phenolic used in most guitar pots — significantly stronger, more rigid, won't bend or snap. Proprietary 20% audio taper — 20% output at half rotation — designed to feel and respond the same way in both volume and tone positions, with an unusually musical and smooth sweep across the full travel. 8% tolerance (920K–1080K Ω on the 1 Meg version). Oversized solder lugs for clean wiring.
The 1 Meg value is the correct resistance for Jazzmaster and Jaguar circuits — the original Fender offset designs were spec'd at 1 Meg throughout, which gives the pickups a different loading characteristic than the 250K or 500K pots used in most other guitar wiring. Lower pot resistance bleeds off more high frequency content from the pickup; the 1 Meg value keeps the full frequency response of the pickup intact. Combined with the Emerson Treble Bleed and the proprietary 20% audio taper, the volume knob cleanup explored from 10:51 is one of the most responsive and musical cleanup sweeps on the channel.
The Keeley-modded Ibanez TS9 is Robert Keeley's famous modification to the classic Ibanez Tubescreamer — one of the most well-known and sought-after boutique modifications in pedal history. Keeley's TS9 mod targets the tone-coloring capacitors and op-amp circuit within the TS9, opening up the frequency response and increasing the headroom and clarity of the overdrive character. Used here as both an overdrive and a clean boost to slam the Benson Vincent's clean channel from 07:09 onward.
🎛️ Emerson Custom: https://emersoncustom.com
🎸 Black Bobbin Chicago: https://blackbobbin.com
🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Black Bobbin Chicago Phantone | Lollar '63 Jazzmaster Pickups | Emerson Custom 1 Meg Premier Pro Pots | Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds
🎛️ Emerson Custom 1 Meg Premier Pro Pots | 20% Proprietary Audio Taper | Fiberglass Substrate | 8% Tolerance | Ibanez TS9 Keeley Mod | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Best Vintage Style Fuzz! | R2R Electric Replica Series MKII Fuzz
R2R Electric returns to the channel with something truly special — the Replica Series MKII Fuzz, serial number 3, won at eBay auction in a fight to the finish. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the R2R Electric Replica Series MKII Fuzz takes center stage — featuring the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1964 SG Standard in Aged Pelham Blue with Righteous Sound RAF A4/A2 Humbuckers and Emerson Custom Prewired Kit, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Effectrode Tube Vibe joins from 08:58.
Get on the R2R Electric mailing list: https://www.r2relectric.com/
Follow R2R Electric: https://www.instagram.com/djlavalamp
Coming soon on the channel: R2R Electric Replica Series MK1.5, serial number 2 — subscribe so you don't miss it.
The R2R Electric Replica Series represents the pinnacle of Chris Vincent's builds — a part-for-part, component-for-component recreation of original vintage fuzz circuits using the exact same types of components used in the original pedals. Not inspired by or based on — as close to an exact replica as possible. The MKII Fuzz is Chris's recreation of the 1966-1969 Sola Sound Tone Bender MKII — the two-transistor germanium fuzz that became the defining British fuzz circuit of the late 1960s, used extensively by Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and the early Rolling Stones. Serial number 3 of this build. NOS vintage germanium transistors, NOS passive components throughout, hand-wired point-to-point. Place first in signal chain before any buffered bypass pedals.
The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab '64 SG Standard in Aged Pelham Blue is part of Gibson's Murphy Lab program — Tom Murphy's proprietary aging process applied to new Custom Shop builds, using scientifically reverse-engineered nitrocellulose lacquer identical to what Gibson used in the 1950s and 1960s. The 1964 SG Standard is the model associated with George Harrison and Eric Clapton, featuring the dependable Maestro Vibrola that replaced the earlier clunky sidepull vibrato, and a neck profile increased in size resembling the profile found on 1959 Les Pauls. Solid lightweight one-piece mahogany body. Mahogany neck, authentic '64 medium C profile. Indian rosewood fingerboard, hide glue fit. 24.75" scale. 22 frets. Cellulose nitrate trapezoid inlays. ABR-1 bridge. Murphy Lab Light Aged hardware throughout.
The Righteous Sound RAF (Righteousness Applied For) A4/A2 set is a vintage accurate PAF replica — butyrate bobbins, USA-made pole screws and slugs, custom fabricated nickel PAF clone covers with no copper undercoat, long-legged vintage accurate threaded baseplates, period correct 42awg plain enamel wire, vintage single braid wire. Alnico 4 neck (~6.9K) / Alnico 2 bridge (~7.5K) — the A4 neck delivering open, airy clarity, the A2 bridge providing vintage warmth without compression.
🎛️ R2R Electric: https://www.r2relectric.com
🎸 Righteous Sound Pickups: https://www.righteoussoundpickups.com
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Gibson Custom Murphy Lab '64 SG Standard | Aged Pelham Blue | Righteous Sound RAF (A4 Neck ~6.9K / A2 Bridge ~7.5K) | Emerson Custom Prewired Kit | Murphy Lab Light Aged | Maestro Vibrola
🎛️ R2R Electric Replica Series MKII Fuzz | Serial #3 | NOS Ge | Part-for-Part Tone Bender MKII Recreation | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Fuzz Face & Rangemaster in One! | Expresso FX Dual Ge / Si Fuzz & Ge Boost — AC125 / CV7347 / OC45
Expresso FX returns to the channel with another custom Dual Ge/Si Fuzz & Ge Boost build — this time in the chameleon color enclosure, with a completely different transistor set and a genuinely special result. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Expresso FX Custom Dual Ge/Si Fuzz & Ge Boost (Chameleon) takes center stage — featuring the Fender Custom Shop 1960 Journeyman Relic Stratocaster with Righteous Sound Pickups Opal Road Set and Emerson Custom S5B Blender 5-Way Wiring Kit and Treble Bleed, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC 65W speakers and Benson Tall Bird+ Reverb and Tremolo Unit via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander.
Reach out to Sof on Instagram DM for current inventory: https://www.instagram.com/expressofx/ Learn about the Dual Ge/Si Fuzz & Boost: https://expressofx.com/product/custom-dual-ge-si-fuzz-ge-boost-gorva-chameleon/
This is Sof's custom three-circuit pedal combining a Fuzz Face/Tone Bender hybrid fuzz with switchable germanium and silicon middle transistor, and a Rangemaster-style germanium treble boost — all in one enclosure with independent footswitches. Every transistor hand-selected NOS, zero compromise on components.
Ge Fuzz side (00:00): Three transistors — AC125 germanium in Q1, CV7347 silicon in Q2, AC125 germanium in Q3. The AC125 is a warm, full-frequency NPN germanium device from the early 1960s with smooth cleanup response and excellent harmonic complexity. The CV7347 is the military specification Mullard silicon device — grittier, more aggressive, with more upper-mid bite. Placing a silicon transistor in the middle position of a three-transistor circuit produces a hybrid character that sits between a pure germanium Fuzz Face and a pure silicon Tone Bender MKI — the warmth of the outer AC125s with the aggression of the CV7347 in the critical middle gain stage. Explored across the full opening section.
Si Fuzz side (10:05): The switch positions are compared directly — the Si Fuzz voice gives the CV7347's silicon character more prominence in the mix. Explored from 10:05 to 12:59 against the Ge Fuzz for direct comparison.
Ge Boost side (12:59): OC45 germanium transistor — the Mullard OC45, used in the earliest Dallas Rangemaster units. Authentic treble boost character with the warmth and harmonic complexity of the original circuit. Explored slamming the Benson Vincent into breakup territory.
Benson Tall Bird+ Harmonic Tremolo explored from 17:36. Fuzz stacked into Ge Boost from 19:19.
🎛️ Expresso FX: https://www.instagram.com/expressofx/ 🎸 Righteous Sound Pickups: https://www.righteoussoundpickups.com 🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Fender Custom Shop '60 Journeyman Relic Strat | Righteous Sound Opal Road Set | Emerson Custom S5B Blender + Treble Bleed 🎛️ Expresso FX Custom Dual Ge/Si Fuzz & Ge Boost (Chameleon) | AC125 + CV7347 + AC125 (Fuzz) | OC45 (Boost) | NOS Throughout | 3 Independent Circuits 🎛️ Also: Benson Tall Bird+ Harmonic Tremolo 🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC 65W | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Boutique Guitar Maker You NEED to Know About! | Gronlund Guitars SC18
Gronlund Guitars makes its channel debut — and you'll be seeing a lot of the SC18 in upcoming demos. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Gronlund Guitars SC18 takes center stage — TV Jones TV Classic Filter'Tron pickups, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Expresso FX Ge Boost (Philips OC141) and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature from 04:59 onward.
Follow Gronlund Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/gronlundguitars/
Buy a Gronlund Guitar: https://www.gronlundguitars.com/
James Greene builds Gronlund Guitars in his small shop on the coast of Maine — every guitar rough cut from kiln dried hardwood, handcrafted from scratch. James combined his love for music and craftsmanship to design a unique line of instruments that prioritize tonal balance, playability, and individual character. Each build ships in a Mono Vertigo case.
The SC18 is a single-cut semi-hollow — part thinline, part semi-hollow, with one f-hole rather than two and the acoustic complexity that brings. One piece Honduran Mahogany body. Maine Hard Maple neck. African Ebony fretboard and headstock face cap. 59' C neck profile (.860" at first fret, tapering to .960" at 12th). Set neck. Satin nitrocellulose lacquer, hand rubbed with 0000 steel wool for a low luster brushed finish. 500k CTS audio pots with treble bleed. Orange Drop capacitors. Switchcraft output jack. TonePros wraparound bridge.
This build is fitted with TV Jones TV Classic Filter'Tron-style pickups in humbucker-sized rout — Tom Jones' flagship model, the one Brian Setzer chose in a blind test against vintage pickups during his Gretsch signature development. Warm, clear, and chimey with that unmistakable Filter'Tron character. The SC18's semi-hollow Mahogany construction gives the TV Classics more acoustic body to work with than a typical solid guitar, producing a particularly resonant and open result across all positions.
🎸 Gronlund Guitars: https://www.gronlundguitars.com 🎸 TV Jones: https://www.tvjones.com 🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Gronlund Guitars SC18 | Honduran Mahogany Body | Maine Hard Maple Neck | African Ebony Fretboard | TV Jones TV Classic Filter'Trons | One F-Hole | Set Neck | Satin Nitro | Hand-Built in Maine 🎛️ Expresso FX Ge Boost | Philips OC141 | NOS Ge | Effectrode Tube Vibe 🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Expresso FX Buzzabout Fuzz
Expresso FX returns to the channel with the Buzzabout — Sof's faithful reproduction of the Colorsound Buzzaround circuit. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Expresso FX Buzzabout takes center stage — featuring the BilT Guitars DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig with Lollar La Prima Mini-Humbuckers and Emerson Custom Treble Bleed, into the Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC 65W speakers and Benson Tall Bird+ Reverb and Tremolo Unit via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Effectrode Tube Vibe joins from 06:56.
Reach out to Sof on Instagram DM for current inventory: https://www.instagram.com/expressofx/
Learn about the Buzzabout: https://expressofx.com/product/buzzaround/
Also on the channel: Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MKI, Ge Fuzz, Octave Fuzz, Ge Boost, and MK1.V.
The Colorsound Buzzaround is a lesser-known British fuzz circuit from the late 1960s — related to the Tone Bender family but with its own distinct architecture and character. Strong, loud fuzz tones with great sustain and relatively low background noise compared to other circuits of the era. Sof's Buzzabout is a faithful reproduction using the highest quality NOS components throughout.
Transistors: Newmarket CV7007 and Mullard OC42 germanium, hand-selected. NOS Sylvania germanium diode. NOS Mullard Mustard C296 polyester capacitors. NOS Philips electrolytic capacitors. NOS Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors. Premium Cliff UK jacks. 22 AWG solid core silver-plated copper wire with Teflon insulation. Lead-free silver-based solder. True bypass. Genuine Hammond aluminium enclosure, powder-coated. 3 years warranty.
Three controls: Fuzz, Volume, Tone. The all-knobs-cranked territory is explored from 02:31, with volume knob cleanup from 04:01 — the Buzzaround's interaction with the guitar volume control producing its own specific character distinct from the Fuzz Face or Tone Bender circuits covered in previous Expresso FX demos on the channel.
🎛️ Expresso FX: https://expressofx.com/product/buzzaround/
🎸 BilT Guitars: https://biltguitars.com
🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 BilT DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig | 300-Year-Old Reclaimed Pine | Chambered | Lollar La Prima Mini-HB | Emerson Custom Treble Bleed
🎛️ Expresso FX Buzzabout | CV7007 + OC42 NOS Ge | Sylvania Ge Diode | Mustard Caps | Allen Bradley Carbon Comp | Colorsound Buzzaround Circuit
🎛️ Also: Benson Tall Bird+ Reverb + Tremolo | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC 65W | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Your Search for Mini-Humbuckers is Over | Lollar La Prima Mini-Humbuckers
Lollar Pickups returns to the channel with the La Prima Mini Humbuckers — and the BilT DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig is the perfect host. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Lollar La Prima Mini Humbuckers take center stage — installed in the BilT Guitars DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig, into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Madsen Amplification Ge Boost features from 05:30 onward.
Buy a set of Lollar La Prima: https://www.lollarguitars.com/laprima
The Lollar La Prima was originally developed as a miniaturized version of the El Rayo humbucker — and while it shares the El Rayo's touch sensitivity and responsiveness, the tonal character is distinctly its own. Sweet chiming highs, scooped mids, tight low end. Neck 3.3K / Bridge 3.8K. No typical humbucker compression — the La Prima responds to subtle changes in picking technique and guitar volume in the way a well-voiced single coil does, while still canceling hum.
The BilT Guitars DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig is a chambered offset built from reclaimed old growth pine from the structural support beams of the BilT Guitars headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa — 300-year-old wood, now chambered and hollowed for acoustic resonance and light weight. The La Prima's open, articulate character has unusual space to develop in a chambered old growth pine body. Built by hand at BilT, no CNC machines.
The Madsen Amplification Ge Boost — Maynard Madsen's point-to-point Dallas Rangemaster-style NOS germanium boost from Camdenton, Missouri — features a three-way input cap selector (explored across its positions from 05:30) and pull-down resistors to eliminate footswitch pop. Originally a numbered limited run of 30 units. Explored with volume knob cleanup from 07:29.
🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/laprima 🎸 BilT Guitars: https://biltguitars.com 🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 BilT DK Ultra S.S. Zaftig | 300-Year-Old Reclaimed Pine | Chambered | Lollar La Prima Mini-HB (Neck 3.3K / Bridge 3.8K) 🎛️ Madsen Amplification Ge Boost | NOS Ge | Dallas Rangemaster | 3-Way Cap Selector | Limited Run 🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Benson Amps Tall Bird+
Benson Amps returns to the channel with the Tall Bird+ — their flagship all-tube spring reverb and optical tremolo unit, and a ground-up original design. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Benson Amps Tall Bird+ Tube Reverb & Optical Tremolo takes center stage — running in the Benson Vincent effects loop, between the Vinny Dirt Channel and the Clean Channel, into the Benson Vincent 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Benson Amps Germanium Preamp, Germanium Boost, and Germanium Fuzz all feature throughout.
Get the EoB x Emerson Custom Les Paul Kit: https://emersoncustom.com/products/eob-les-paul-prewired-kit-premier-pro?sca_ref=6282128.5O9h8BhMpG
Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
In Benson's own words:
"The Tall Bird Plus is our flagship all tube driven spring reverb and optical tremolo. A ground up original design with the goal of attaining the classic 60s sounds but with added functionality and improved noise characteristics.
Independent WET and DRY controls — the dry control can be used to overdrive an amp, or remove the dry signal completely. The ROOM control creates a high pass filter: turn it down for classic drip sounds, or up for cavernous hall style reverb. Three-pole adjustable oscillator drives the neon lamp for extremely slow or extremely fast tremolo settings. Switchable optically driven standard OR harmonic tremolo — true bypass tremolo takes the optical circuitry completely out of the signal path to prevent volume loss issues of the original circuits. Tube driven output buffer for driving long cables. Dual LED footswitch with included TRS cable. A grounding schema lifted from hi-fi stereos that prevents noisy ground loops. The reverb bypass disconnects the send signal to the reverb tank, allowing for trails rather than a hard cutoff.
Hi-Fidelity vs. Natural Mode: the Tall Bird Plus performs similarly to a high quality buffer and makes treble frequencies pop more than expected. The rear-panel switch compensates — Hi-Fidelity for technically unaffected tones, Natural Mode for a more expected response. Harmonic tremolo quirk: when engaged with depth all the way down, some light bass throbbing may occur — select standard tremolo or bypass via footswitch if bothersome."
The Tall Bird+ runs here in an unusual but highly effective position: in the Benson Vincent effects loop, after the Vinny Dirt Channel and before the Chimera-esque Clean Channel. This means the reverb and tremolo are processing the driven signal from the Dirt Channel, with the Clean Channel's character coming after — a specific placement explored extensively throughout the demo. The Dry knob's ability to overdrive the amp is explored from 03:36, with the signal path providing a unique way to push the clean channel into breakup without adding a separate overdrive.
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 2002 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul R8 Historic | Ron Ellis '50s LRP Humbuckers (Duane Allman '57 Goldtop Spec) | Emerson Custom EoB LP Kit + 2x Treble Bleed
🎛️ Benson Amps Tall Bird+ | All-Tube Spring Reverb | Optical Harmonic + Amplitude Tremolo | Hi-Fi / Natural Mode | Independent Wet + Dry | Room Control | Reverb Trails
🎛️ Also: Benson Amps Germanium Preamp | Germanium Boost | Germanium Fuzz
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Cunningham Amps MK1.6 Fuzz (TI 2N404 Ge) & Custom 35 2x12" Tube Amplifier
Cunningham Amps returns to the channel — this time with the MK1.6 Fuzz alongside the Custom 35, and Jules Leyhe is back for a fourth collaborative session. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Cunningham Amps MK1.6 Fuzz and Custom 35 2x12" take center stage — Sean on the Giordano Guitars Tributo Korina Special with Sunbear '58 Reserve SB-PAF Humbuckers, and Jules Leyhe on the 1967 Gibson ES-335. Effectrode Tube Vibe and Echo Fix EF-X3 Tape Delay via Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander throughout.
Get a Cunningham Amps Custom 35: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz/product-page/custom-35 Cunningham Amps NOS transistor fuzzes: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz/effect-pedals Follow Jules Leyhe: https://www.instagram.com/julesleyhe/ Jules Leyhe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@julesleyhe Jules Leyhe's Derek Trucks Slide Course: https://julien-leyhe-s-school.teachable.com/p/derek-trucks-style-slide-guitar-curve
In Tim Cunningham's own words:
"The Custom 35 is an all tube guitar amplifier available in both head and combo configurations. Two channels are foot switchable for running independently, in parallel or cascaded modes providing a diverse tonal palette ranging from crystalline cleans to high gain tube saturation.
Channel 1 — Bite — Tweed style: big juicy cleans through to 'dimed on 12' overdrive. Channel 2 — Body — British style: classic Plexi tones for crunchy rhythm and singing leads.
In parallel mode, Channel 2 blends on top of Channel 1 — similar to jumpering channels on a dual channel amp. In cascade mode, Channel 2 borrows an additional gain stage from Channel 1 for modern high gain tones. Cathode biased output stage — fitted with EL34s as standard, try 6L6 or KT66 for a unique tonal signature. Tube driven spring reverb standard."
The Cunningham Amps Custom 35 is loaded with Scumback H75-PVC and S75-PVC 12" speakers, 8 ohm, 25W each.
The Cunningham Amps MK1.6 Fuzz sits at the intersection of the MK1.5 Tone Bender and Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face — Tim's hand-crafted take on the classic mid-1960s two-transistor fuzz circuit, built one pedal at a time with NOS transistors individually voiced and matched per build. This unit features Texas Instruments 2N404 germanium transistors — NOS, hand-selected. The three-way Gain Mode switch is the key creative control: Low (bright, boost-style fuzz with strong volume knob cleanup response — explored from 06:52 and 09:45), Med (progressively more fuzz and low end), High (full saturated fuzz, fat and juicy). Attack and Level controls cover the full range from clean boost through face-melting fuzz. Each build comes with a custom carry bag, signed and numbered certificate of authenticity.
🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz 🎸 Giordano Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/giordanoguitars/ 🎸 Sunbear Pickups: https://www.sunbearpickups.com
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Sean: Giordano Guitars Tributo Korina Special | Sunbear '58 Reserve SB-PAF (AII Bridge 8.1K / AIII Neck 7.4K) 🎸 Jules: 1967 Gibson ES-335 | Original 1967 Gibson Humbuckers 🎛️ Cunningham Amps MK1.6 Fuzz | NOS TI 2N404 Ge Transistors | MK1.5 Tone Bender + Fuzz Face Topology | 3-Way Gain Mode | Attack + Level 🎛️ Also: Effectrode Tube Vibe | Echo Fix EF-X3 🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 | EL34 | Cathode Biased | Scumback H75-PVC + S75-PVC 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Best NOS Fuzz Face?! | R2R Electric GeFace Deluxe
R2R Electric returns to the channel with the GeFace Deluxe — Chris Vincent's NOS AC107 germanium Fuzz Face, and one of the finest Fuzz Face-circuit builds available anywhere. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the R2R Electric GeFace Deluxe Fuzz takes center stage — featuring the Giordano Guitars '60s S-Model with Emerson Custom Blender Wiring, into the Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The KingTone Vibe 1968 joins from 05:45.
Get on the R2R Electric mailing list: https://www.r2relectric.com/
Follow R2R Electric: https://www.instagram.com/djlavalamp
R2R Electric on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@r2relectric
Chris Vincent (@djlavalamp) builds every R2R Electric pedal in Los Angeles using exclusively NOS and vintage components — hand-selected, tested, measured, and matched. Every build is unique in its specific component selection but verified for tonal consistency. Get on the mailing list — drops go extremely quickly.
The GeFace Deluxe is Chris's faithful Fuzz Face-circuit build using AC107 germanium transistors — the Mullard/Philips AC107 being one of the finest NOS germanium transistors available for a Fuzz Face circuit, known for their sweet top end, complex harmonic character, and warm, glassy volume knob cleanup response. NOS passive components throughout: Allen-Bradley and Piher carbon comp resistors, vintage CTS potentiometers, vintage capacitors. Hand-wired point-to-point.
The Giordano Guitars '60s S-Model is the Italian family's Stratocaster-style instrument — fitted with the Emerson Custom Blender wiring, which adds a continuous neck pickup blender knob to the standard tone control position, enabling parallel neck+bridge and neck+bridge+middle combinations unavailable on standard 5-way Strat wiring. These blended positions are explored from 04:59.
As with all R2R vintage fuzz builds: place first in signal chain before any buffered bypass pedals.
🎛️ R2R Electric: https://www.r2relectric.com
🎸 Giordano Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/_giordanoguitars_/
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Giordano Guitars '60s S-Model | Emerson Custom Blender Wiring
🎛️ R2R Electric GeFace Deluxe | NOS AC107 Ge Transistors | Fuzz Face Circuit | NOS Components | Point-to-Point
🎛️ Also: KingTone Vibe 1968
🔊 Benson Amps Monarch 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Sennheiser E906 | Ableton Live 11
Other R2R Electric videos you might like:
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/the-best-nos-fuzz-face-r2r-electric-geface-deluxe
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/r2r-electric-uniform-fuzz
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/electric-machine-fuzz-r2r-electric-zonk-machine
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/1959-fender-tweed-deluxe-5e3-vintage-amp-showcase
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/r2r-electric-pkiii-fuzz
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/r2r-electric-mki-pro-fuzz
https://www.edgeofbreakup.studio/latest-videos/r2r-electric-pre-amp-vintage-wah
THE Indie Guitar Maker You NEED to Know About | Prisma Guitars Diavolo
Prisma Guitars returns to the channel with the Diavolo — all skateboard top, three Lollar pickups, and one very clever push/pull wiring trick. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Prisma Guitars Diavolo takes center stage — skateboard hard rock maple top, Lollar Gold Foil neck and bridge with Lollar Firebird middle activated via push/pull on the bridge tone pot, Emerson Custom wiring kit and Treble Bleeds, Schroeder Wrap Tail Bridge, into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The Madsen Amplification Ge Boost and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature from 08:54 onward.
Learn more about Prisma Guitars: https://www.prismaguitars.com/
Follow Prisma Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/prismaguitars/
Lollar Gold Foil: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-gold-foil-pickups/gold-foil-soapbar
Lollar Firebird: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-humbucker-pickups/firebird
The Prisma Diavolo is Nick Pourfard's LP-style single-cut — built in California, every build one-of-a-kind. This Diavolo features a skateboard hard rock maple top: seven-ply compressed maple decks laminated together, each carrying its own color patterns and patina, making the visual result entirely unrepeatable. Maple C neck (87-97 profile). Reclaimed Brazilian Walnut fingerboard from the Coney Island Boardwalk. 25.5" scale. 1 5/8" bone nut. 6105 nickel frets. Emerson Custom wiring kit and Treble Bleeds. Schroeder Wraparound Bridge — lightweight aluminium body, stainless steel clips, brass saddles.
The pickup configuration is the highlight. Lollar Gold Foil neck and bridge are the primary two-pickup voices — chimey, articulate, complex midrange character that sits between single coil and humbucker without sounding like either. The Lollar Firebird middle is wired to a push/pull on the bridge tone pot, bringing it in as a third voice that can be blended with the neck, bridge, or both simultaneously. All three pickups activated together (06:32), neck + Firebird middle (07:01), and bridge + Firebird middle (05:52) are all explored — the Firebird's compressed, vocal mid-forward character adding a completely different dimension to the Gold Foils' naturally open sound.
The Madsen Amplification Ge Boost — Maynard Madsen's Dallas Rangemaster-style NOS germanium boost with 3-way cap selector, from Camdenton Missouri — slams the Cunningham Tweed channel from 08:54. Three-way cap positions explored: mid boost, treble boost, and full frequency.
🎸 Prisma Guitars: https://www.prismaguitars.com
🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Prisma Guitars Diavolo | Skateboard Top | Brazilian Walnut Fretboard (Coney Island Boardwalk) | Lollar Gold Foil (N+B) + Lollar Firebird (M, Push/Pull Bridge Tone Pot) | Emerson Custom Wiring + Treble Bleeds | Schroeder Wrap Tail | 25.5"
🎛️ Madsen Amplification Ge Boost | NOS Ge | 3-Way Cap Selector | Effectrode Tube Vibe
🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Best P90 Pickups?! | TV Jones T-90 Pickups
TV Jones makes its channel debut with the T-90 — a P90-voiced pickup in Filter'Tron format, available in Filter'Tron, humbucker, and P90 soapbar sizes. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the TV Jones T-90 Pickups take center stage — installed in the Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider with Bigsby B5, into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" with Scumback H75-PVC speakers via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander with Echo Fix EF-X3 Tape Echo in the loop. R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature in the second half.
Check out the TV Jones T-90: https://tvjones.com/shop/guitar-pickups/t90/ Follow TV Jones: https://www.instagram.com/tvjonesinc/
The TV Jones T-90 is Tom Jones' answer to a specific tonal question: what happens when you take the hum-cancelling construction of a Filter'Tron and voice it to sound like a P90? The result is a pickup that has the P90's characteristic midrange aggression, bite, and snarl without the single-coil hum — and that can be ordered in Filter'Tron size, standard humbucker size, or P90 soapbar size, making it a direct drop-in for almost any guitar routing without modification.
The Filter'Tron-sized version is installed here in the Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider — Jeff Mark Leavitt's latest model from his one-man LA shop, built from urban liquidambar body and headcap, urban black acacia neck, urban Indian rosewood fretboard. Bigsby B5 tailpiece, Mastery M1 bridge, CTS 500k audio taper pots. The combination of P90-voiced pickups and the Cunningham Custom 35's Plexi channel — explored from 00:00 — is explored across all three positions, with volume knob cleanup from 01:39 and the Rangemaster + Tube Vibe combination from 06:03.
Also watch: the Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider full demo with TV Jones TV Classic Pickups: [LINK] Also watch: the full 6-model Tone Ranger Guitars showcase: https://youtu.be/p8X-BwI4pdw
🎸 TV Jones T-90: https://tvjones.com/shop/guitar-pickups/t90/ 🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars: https://www.tonerangerguitars.com 🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider (#0501424) | Urban Liquidambar Body | TV Jones T-90 Set (Filter'Tron Size) | Bigsby B5 | Mastery M1 | Set Neck | 24.75" | 7.6 lbs 🎛️ R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 | Effectrode Tube Vibe | Echo Fix EF-X3 🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Scumback H75-PVC | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
The Best NOS Tone Bender MKI?! | Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MKI
Expresso FX makes its channel debut with the Fuzz Bender MKI — Sof's immaculate reproduction of the original three-transistor Tone Bender MKI circuit. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MKI takes center stage — featuring the Wide Sky Guitars P125C Cutaway with Curtis Novak P90s and Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds, into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander.
Reach out to Sof on Instagram DM for current inventory — he works in batches and drops small quantities at a time: https://www.instagram.com/expressofx/
Learn about the Fuzz Bender MKI: https://expressofx.com/product/fuzz-bender-mk-i/
Expresso FX is Sof, building in the UK with zero compromise on components. The Fuzz Bender MKI is his recreation of the earliest three-transistor-based fuzz circuit from the Bender family — the 1965 Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI, the circuit that predates the Fuzz Face derivations and produces the distinctive nasty, spitting, cutting, midrange-forward character that defined the earliest British fuzz tones. In Sof's own words: "an immaculate reproduction of a classic pedal, but with a few tweaks for performance and reliability improvements."
Transistors: Newmarket CV7007 in Q1, Mullard OC82D in Q2, and Mullard OC42 in Q3 — all hand-selected NOS. NOS Mullard Mustard C296 polyester capacitors. Philips electrolytic capacitors. NOS Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors. Premium Cliff UK jacks. 22 AWG solid core silver-plated copper wire with Teflon insulation. Lead-free silver-based solder. True bypass. Genuine Hammond aluminium enclosure, powder-coated. 3 years warranty.
Three controls: Level, Filter, and Attack. The Filter knob is the key addition over the original MKI two-knob layout — it controls the low-end content feeding the fuzz stage, explored from 03:03 for tightening and shaping the circuit's bottom end. The Attack knob is explored across its full range from 03:21. Lower Amp gain with the MKI level reduced produces a ragged, more open-top end character explored from 05:24.
🎛️ Expresso FX: https://expressofx.com/product/fuzz-bender-mk-i/
🎸 Wide Sky Guitars: https://www.wideskyguitars.com
🎸 Curtis Novak Pickups: https://www.curtisnovak.com
🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Wide Sky Guitars P125C | Curtis Novak P90s | Emerson Custom Treble Bleeds
🎛️ Expresso FX Fuzz Bender MKI | CV7007 (Q1) + OC82D (Q2) + OC42 (Q3) NOS Mullard Ge | Mustard Caps | Allen Bradley Carbon Comp | Level / Filter / Attack | Hammond Enclosure
🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
Tone Ranger Guitars Double Barrel
Tone Ranger Guitars returns with the Double Barrel — Jeff Mark Leavitt's double-cut two-pickup build with Lollar Gold Foil pickups and a Bigsby B5. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Tone Ranger Guitars Double Barrel takes center stage — Lollar Gold Foil set, into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander with the Echo Fix EF-X3 Tape Echo in the loop. R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 and Effectrode Tube Vibe feature in the second half.
Buy this Double Barrel at Oakland Guitars: https://reverb.com/item/87629493-tone-ranger-double-barrel
Follow Tone Ranger Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/tonerangerguitars/
Order a Tone Ranger Guitar: https://www.tonerangerguitars.com
Available at Oakland Guitars: 423 40th St, Oakland CA — 510-250-9747
Also watch: the full 6-model Tone Ranger Guitars showcase: https://youtu.be/p8X-BwI4pdw
In Jeff's own words: "Tone Ranger Guitars grew from my love of the West: the culture, the environment, the music, and the history of the western American deserts and forests. Lovingly hand-crafted in my one-man shop in LA with the finest components and pickups, Tone Ranger Guitars are made entirely from sustainable, local, urban trees from Los Angeles and her surrounding counties. These trees lined our city streets, shaded our parks, and grew in our backyards — now rescued by arborists such as Street Tree Revival and Angel City Lumber who repurpose these beautiful trees and give them a second life. You're a Tone Ranger now. Keep on truckin'."
The Double Barrel is Jeff's double-cut two-pickup solid body — 24 frets and a Bigsby B5 for glassy shimmer. Full specs (Serial #0103225):
Urban California redwood body with figured urban black walnut top. Urban black walnut neck. Urban Indian rosewood fretboard. Thin D neck profile. 24.75" scale. Set neck. 24 frets, 12" radius. Jescar 55090 medium/highest nickel silver frets. Bone nut. 7.4 lbs. Lollar Gold Foil set. CTS 500k audio taper volume pot with treble bleed. CTS 500k audio taper tone pot with 47nf Illinois Capacitor film cap. Centralab 3-way toggle. PureTone multi-contact jack. Tone Pros T3BP tune-o-matic. Bigsby B5. Grover Sta-tite 18:1 tuners. Nickel hardware. Black top hat knobs. No pickguard. Hand-rubbed Walrus Oil finish. Silkscreened headstock logo. Made in Los Angeles, California.
The Lollar Gold Foil is Jason Lollar's take on the DeArmond-style Gold Foil pickups from the 1950s and 1960s — chimey, articulate, with a complex midrange character that sits between a single coil and a humbucker without sounding like either. In the figured walnut and redwood Double Barrel, the Gold Foils' natural brightness and mid complexity pair beautifully with the Cunningham Custom 35's Tweed channel.
🎸 Lollar Pickups: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-gold-foil-pickups
🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars: https://www.tonerangerguitars.com
🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars Double Barrel (#0103225) | CA Redwood / Figured Urban Walnut Top | Lollar Gold Foil Set | Bigsby B5 | 24 Frets | Thin D | 24.75" | 7.4 lbs | Hand-Built in LA
🎛️ R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 | Effectrode Tube Vibe | Echo Fix EF-X3
🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12
TV Jones TV Classic Pickups
TV Jones makes its channel debut — and the Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider is the perfect showcase. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the TV Jones TV Classic Pickups take center stage — installed in the Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider (humbucker-sized rout), into the Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander. The R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 and Effectrode Tube Vibe join for the second half.
Buy this Tone Ranger Sunset Rider at Oakland Guitars: https://reverb.com/item/87631051-tone-ranger-sunset-rider Follow TV Jones: https://www.instagram.com/tvjonesinc/ TV Jones on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TVJones1 Follow Tone Ranger Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/tonerangerguitars/ Order a Tone Ranger Guitar: https://www.tonerangerguitars.com
The TV Jones TV Classic is Tom Jones' flagship Filter'Tron-style pickup — the one Brian Setzer chose in a blind sound test against multiple vintage pickups during the development of his Gretsch signature model. This version is built for standard humbucker-sized routing, making it a direct drop-in upgrade for any humbucker-routed guitar that wants brighter, tighter Filter'Tron character without any modification to the body.
The TV Classic in the Sunset Rider's liquidambar and black acacia body with Mastery MV vibrato is explored here in a compact five-chapter format — bridge pickup into the Cunningham Plexi channel, volume knob cleanup with the R2R Rangemaster, neck pickup, Univibe tones, and then Rangemaster fully cranked. The CTS 500k audio taper pots and the Mastery vibrato's tuning stability are highlighted throughout.
Also watch: the full Tone Ranger Sunset Rider demo — all tones, all pickups, full pedalboard: [LINK]
🎸 TV Jones: https://www.tvjones.com 🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars: https://www.tonerangerguitars.com 🔊 Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
Subscribe for more boutique tone explorations.
🎸 Tone Ranger Guitars Sunset Rider (#0501524) | Urban Liquidambar | TV Jones TV Classic Set (HB-Size) | Mastery M1 + MV Vibrato | Set Neck | 24.75" 🎛️ R2R Electric Rangemaster OC44 | Effectrode Tube Vibe 🔊 Cunningham Amps Custom 35 2x12" | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Ohma Ribbon | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Ableton Live 12