Analog Noir Effects MKI Fuzz

Analog Noir Effects makes its channel debut — and this MKI Tone Bender paired with the Giordano / Sunbear combination is one for the ages. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.

In this episode the Analog Noir Effects MKI Fuzz takes center stage — featuring the Giordano Guitars 59 Single Cut with Sunbear Pickups 59 SB-PAF Humbuckers, into the Benson Amps Monarch with the Echo Fix EF-X3 Chorus Echo.

Get one: https://www.analognoirelectric.com/shop/p/mk1-tone-bender-1 Follow: https://www.instagram.com/analognoirfx/

Analog Noir Effects builds faithful, component-accurate reproductions of the most important vintage fuzz and boost circuits using NOS and period-correct components on eyelet board construction — the same construction method used in the original 1960s pedals. The MKI Tone Bender is their take on the 1965 Sola Sound original: a three-transistor circuit using a curated selection of mil spec Mullard CV and New Market NKT germanium transistors, hand-selected and tested for gain and leakage characteristics. NOS components throughout. PNP transistors — requires isolated power supply when using the DC jack. Internal battery snap included.

The Tone Bender MKI predates the Fuzz Face and is a fundamentally different circuit despite superficial similarities. Where the Fuzz Face uses two transistors, the MKI uses three — the extra transistor stage produces a different attack, sustain character, and gating behavior. The MKI is the fuzz of the early British Invasion: nasty, spitting, cutting, with a blooming sustain that doesn't decay cleanly. It is not interactive with the guitar volume knob in the way a Fuzz Face or silicon circuit is — the MKI has its own personality that rewards working with the Attack control and amplifier relationship rather than fighting them.

Two controls: Level and Attack (the original MKI called the gain control "Attack" — it functions as a bias control, explored extensively across this demo from 03:42 through 12:30). Lower bias settings produce smooth, sustained fuzz with more compression. Higher bias settings open up the gate and add aggression and grit. The interaction with the Sunbear PAF humbuckers — higher output than single coils — is explored across both bridge and neck throughout.

Note: the MKI circuit does not clean up like a Fuzz Face — the volume knob behavior (explored from 13:00) produces quirky, unique results rather than glassy cleanup. That is the circuit doing what it was designed to do.

🎛️ Analog Noir Effects: https://www.analognoirelectric.com 🎸 Giordano Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/giordanoguitars/ 🎸 Sunbear Pickups: https://www.sunbearpickups.com 🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers

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🎸 Giordano Guitars 59 Single Cut | Sunbear Pickups 59 SB-PAF Humbuckers (AIV Bridge 8.3K / AIII Neck 7.3K) 🎛️ Analog Noir Effects MKI Tone Bender | Mullard CV + NKT Ge | Eyelet Board | NOS Components | Level + Attack 🎛️ Also: Echo Fix EF-X3 Chorus Echo 🔊 Benson Amps Monarch | Boss Waza TAE

Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R10 & R121 | Sennheiser E906 | Ableton Live 12