DistortionFuzzGermanium FuzzJoesPedals.comManlay SoundOctave FuzzOverdrivePreAmpSilicon FuzzTone Bender Style Fuzz+-
Key Points
Manlay Sound’s five featured pedals are available at Joe’s Pedals in the UK; continental players can buy direct. Of its 15-pedal roster, five are currently offered, though some first-batch units are sold out. They use high quality components, including NOS Germanium Transistors, in mostly period-correct enclosures.
The models are M-200 Pig in a Box (Marshall Major; Drive, Master, Bass, Treble), Octavi (Octavia; Boost, Volume), Honk Machine (JHS Zonk Machine; Swell, Fuzz), Ronno Bender (Tone Bender MKI; Level, Attack), and Super Bender (Marshall Supa Fuzz/TB MKII; Level, Attack).
Listed prices were £199, £189, £259, £259, and £239 respectively.
Manlay Sound specialises in vintage fuzz and overdrive reproductions, with several derived from classic British devices for the 60’s and 70’s. The overall Manlay roster features 15 different pedals, where 5 of those are currently available at Joe’s Pedals in the UK. In fact some of those first batch are already sold out, but there will be more on the way.
The ones featured here are mostly in period-correct enclosures / formats - which means for some these will be on the larger side. While old-school fuzz purists will really love these. I personally tend to favour more compact enclosures, but I can appreciate the appeal of these pedals.
They are made with high quality components, including NOS Germanium Transistors. And for a high level of quality they’re extremely well priced. Most other brands would be asking for more! This makes Manlay Sound an excellent proposition for many.
The 5 pedals featured are (per visual order) :
- M-200 : The Pig in a Box (Marshall Major) - €230 / £199
- Octavi Upper Octave Fuzz (Octavia) - €220 / £189
- The Honk Machine (JHS Zonk Machine) - €285 / £259
- Ronno Bender (Tone Bender MKI) - €285 / £259
- Super Bender (Marshall Supa Fuzz / TB MKII) - €260 / £239
Those 5 are all featured at Joe’s Pedals in the UK, and for those on the continent - available direct from Manlay Sound too of course.
These are really high quality productions / reproductions at a very attractive price point, which my Scandinavian side thoroughly approves of!
Further details on each below :
M-200 : The Pig in a Box (Marshall Major) - €230 / £199
Controls - Drive, Master, Bass, Treble.
Based on Marshall's heavy duty 200 Watt 1967 Amp - which came to be known as 'The Pig'. It was favoured by Mick Ronson, Jimmy Page, and Ritchie Blackmore in particular. Has a quite distinct output profile from most other Marshall types. Interestingly as a pedal preamp - this has long been championed by brands Menatone and Skreddy too, and Manlay Sound makes a fine addition to that formidable selection.
Octavi Upper Octave Fuzz (Octavia) - €220 / £189
Controls - Boost, Volume.
Obviously based on Jimi Hendrix's Roger Mayer made 1967 Octavia Upper Octave Fuzz. Like most of these fuzzes - this one only has 2 controls. And comes in a period correct enclosure style!
The Honk Machine (JHS Zonk Machine) - €285 / £259
Controls - Swell, Fuzz.
Based on 1965 John Hornby Skewes Zonk Machine - sort of adjacent to Vox Tone Bender Fuzz - 3 x Germanium Transistor Fuzz device. Here very much period-correct in appropriate wedge-shaped enclosure in that classic silvery blue colourway.
Ronno Bender (Tone Bender MKI) - €285 / £259
Controls - Level, Attack.
Very much based on Mark 'Ronno' Ronson's favourite MKI Tone Bender, which Jimmy Page also used before adapting the MKII as his early signature sound. Here in period correct - gold wedge-shaped enclosure, and of course featuring 3 specially selected and finely biased Germanium Transistors. The MKI has a very distinct slightly reedy character - which I really like!
Super Bender (Marshall Supa Fuzz / TB MKII) - €260 / £239
Controls - Level, Attack.
Based on / named after the Marshall Supa Fuzz - which was essentially an OEM'd Tone Bender MKII type - made for Marshall by the originators - Sola Sound! The Tone Bender MKII is probably the best known variety of Tone Bender (all are distinct!), and was one that was particularly favoured by Jimmy Page, and a big part of the early Led Zeppelin sound!
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