Thorpy FX Boneyard Fuzz
Has ThorpyFX created the perfect Tone Bender? After spending time with this pedal, I think Adrian Thorpe might have. Welcome back to Edge of Breakup.
In this episode the ThorpyFX Boneyard Fuzz takes center stage — featuring the Frank Brothers Arcade with Lollar '50s Wind P90s, into the Benson Amps Vincent and Benson 2x12" cabinet.
The Boneyard packs tones from classic Tone Bender circuits MK I through MK IV into one stompbox using three germanium transistors. Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX describes it as a vanity project — his interpretation of what the ultimate Tone Bender would sound like after years spent playing, testing, and obsessing over every era of the circuit. Limited to approximately 250 units due to the scarcity of suitable germanium transistors — only a very narrow band is appropriate for the circuit, and finding enough took years.
Four controls, all extremely interactive in the manner of a Zvex Fuzz Factory — micro-adjustments at the intersection of all four knobs unlock sweet spots unavailable at any single setting.
Level controls output volume. Attack is the fuzz gain control — from lighter fuzz through to searing sustain. Tone controls treble and bass response — counterclockwise for smoother sounds, clockwise for brighter. Feed acts as a master bias control, adjusting the voltage to the pedal — choke it for sputtering, gated fuzz, or open it up for a smoother, more polished character.
The left footswitch bypasses the Tone stack entirely — removing the treble shaping from the circuit for a different tonal response and greater overall output. The central toggle switches between three-transistor mode (MK II through MK IV voicings — the classic saturated bender character) and two-transistor mode (MK I and MK I.V — closer to a Fuzz Face character, drier, more direct). 1% metalfilm resistors, Wima and Panasonic capacitors, Neutrik jacks, gold-plated PCB with dust-sealed potentiometers throughout.
🎛️ ThorpyFX Boneyard: https://thorpyfx.com
🎸 Frank Brothers Arcade: https://www.frankbrothersguitars.com
🎸 Lollar '50s Wind P90: https://www.lollarguitars.com/lollar-pickups
🔊 Benson Amps: https://www.bensonamps.com/guitar-amplifiers
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🎸 Frank Brothers Arcade Goldtop | Lollar '50s Wind P90 Soapbars
🎛️ ThorpyFX Boneyard Fuzz | NOS Germanium | MK I–IV | Feed Bias | 2/3 Transistor Toggle
🔊 Benson Amps Vincent | Benson 2x12"
Recording: Royer R121 & SM57 on cab | Royer R10 on rear
