Electro-Harmonix Bender Royale MKIII Germanium Fuzz

Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to check out a couple of pedals from Electro-Harmonix‘ Pico Series: the Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer and the Intelligent Harmony Machine Harmonizer. Today, we’re leaving the mini pedals behind and getting back to a big, full, classic sound, with the Bender Royale MKIII Germanium Fuzz. Vintage tone, modern additions and all the fuzz you can handle…this one’s a keeper!

Grab a Bender Royale from Sweetwater https://sweetwater.sjv.io/R00Oa2

The history of the 3-transistor fuzz is storied and colorful with many makers and iterations. EHX submits its chapter in the story as the Bender Royale fuzz! A take on the MkIII version of the vintage germanium-based circuit, the Bender Royale takes the splendidly saturated sound of the original and opens up a world of fuzz tones from thick and smooth, to brash and sputtery. If you’re into trashy, ripping fuzz or big, fat saturated tones, the Bender Royale will get you there.

The original 3-knob control set can be found in the VOL, FUZZ, and BASS knobs. VOL controls output, FUZZ adjusts the input gain, and BASS acts as a passive bass frequency going from full wool to a tightened bass response. With these controls, you already have a massively versatile pedal great for huge rhythm tones and ripping leads.

Leading the outfit of the modern upgrades is the massive FAT switch which adds a massive bass and low-mids boost to your tone providing the perfect thickening agent tonal stew. The CLIP switch changes the clipping structure of the final germanium transistor stage. Switching the transistor’s biasing diode from Ge to LED makes for a rougher and rowdier edge to the tone which really accentuates the unpolished vibe of earlier fuzz pedals.

The Bias control takes the fuzz from smooth to sputtery, adjusting the overall voltage of the circuit with the ability to create those addicting gated, rippy tones that tickle your fuzz bone. The TREBLE is an active treble shelving filter used to rein in high frequencies. Employ the BLEND knob to mix clean signal back into your sound to retain attack and clarity when using with other dirt sources, or keep your low-end clean and clear when bending your bass tone.

The Bender Royale features mechanical true bypass switching with a soft footswitch that employs latching and momentary action. Click the footswitch for standard latching action or hold the footswitch for more than half a second and the footswitch acts momentarily and will switch back upon release, useful for a quick burst of fuzz or clean. Thanks so much to Electro-Harmonix for sending this monster fuzz our way – be sure to head to their website for more info! We also have a pretty rad demo over on YouTube, and you can grab a Bender Royale for yourself from Sweetwater here – cheers!!