Cunningham Amps Zonk MKI Fuzz Pedalboard Edition
Cunningham Amps returns to the channel with the Pedalboard Edition of the Zonk MKI — the same two legendary circuits from the collaboration version, now in a pedalboard-friendly enclosure. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the Cunningham Amps Zonk MKI Pedalboard Edition takes center stage — featuring the Giordano Guitars '60s S-Model, into the Benson Amps Vincent via the Boss Waza Tube Amp Expander with the Benson Tall Bird Reverb in the effects loop. The R2R Electric Vintage Wah and Effectrode Tube Vibe also feature in the demo.
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The Zonk MKI Pedalboard Edition pays homage to two legendary circuits from 1965 that are close relatives but meaningfully different: the Hornby Skewes Zonk Machine and the Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI. Both are descended from the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz-Tone. A single mode switch selects between them, and two knobs — Fuzz/Attack (gain) and Swell/Level (output) — cover both circuits.
This run of the Pedalboard Edition uses three hand-matched NOS transistors: Texas Instruments 2N1307 in Q1, a Black Glass OC45 in Q2, and Texas Instruments 2G308 in Q3. Tim optimises each build specifically for its transistors — no two Cunningham builds are exactly alike.
The two circuits differ in one critical way: the Tone Bender MKI's input capacitor is ten times larger than the Zonk Machine's. This allows significantly more bass and midrange content through the circuit, delivering a fuller, throatier, more fat attack. The Zonk Machine, by contrast, is more angular — more distinctively gating, more mid-forward and gnarly, particularly when adjusting guitar volume or pick attack. Both respond dramatically to the guitar volume knob, which is explored in depth throughout this demo. Level set higher adds low-mid body and fattens the overall character; lower Level is brighter and more articulate. The interaction between Fuzz, Level, and guitar volume is the core of this pedal.
Signed certificate of authenticity and custom carry bag included. Handmade in New Zealand by Tim Cunningham.
🎛️ Cunningham Amps: https://www.cunninghamamps.co.nz
🎸 Giordano Guitars: https://www.instagram.com/_giordanoguitars_/
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
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🎸 Giordano Guitars '60s S-Model
🎛️ Cunningham Amps Zonk MKI Pedalboard Edition | NOS Ge (2N1307 / OC45 / 2G308) | Zonk Machine + Tone Bender MKI | Mode Switch
🎛️ Also: R2R Electric Vintage Wah | Effectrode Tube Vibe | Strymon Volante
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent | Benson Tall Bird | Boss Waza TAE
Recording: Universal Audio Apollo x4 | Lauten Audio LS-208 | Royer R121 & R10 | Sennheiser E906 | Ableton Live 11
