Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $662

High-end/Boutique

$60

$181+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Introducing the Colorsound Tonebender, a hidden gem in the realm of fuzz effects pedals. Highly coveted, this four-transistor fuzz pedal, inspired by the Ram's Head Big Muff design, offers a unique tone that has been sought after by some of the music industry's biggest names. This little powerhouse is the brainchild of Colorsound, a branch of the esteemed Sola Sound, delivering quality and performance with a side of grit.

Key Features:

  • Four transistor fuzz design, inspired by the iconic Ram's Head Big Muff
  • Distributed by renowned brand Colorsound, a subsidiary of Sola Sound
  • Used by industry legends such as Jack White, Jimmy Page, and Pete Townshend
  • Delivers a unique, gritty tone perfect for various music genres
daCod77

daCod77

Colorsound Tonebender IC

Video thumbnail for Colorsound Tonebender IC by daCod77

Colorsound Tonebender IC

daCod77

daCod77

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Colorsound Tonebender.

Setup and maintenance

  • Original manufacturers, now located in Haywards Heath, can service vintage units, preserving the authentic tone and value of the pedal.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners recommend a trusted technician to maintain the vintage integrity and functionality of the pedal, emphasizing its collectible value.

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  • Condition is crucial for old Tonebenders, as wear can significantly affect their collectible value and performance.

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Use cases and applications

  • The pedal is noted for its distinctive "fizzy" tone, making it ideal for 1970s-style fuzz effects that are hard to replicate with modern gear.

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  • Despite its divergence from traditional Tonebender designs, users report the pedal provides a unique and "awesome" sound, appealing to those seeking distinct fuzz tones.

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  • The pedal is noted for its presence in iconic recordings and is revered for its contribution to legendary fuzz tones.

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Features and functionality

  • The 90's reissue uses an opamp and clipper circuit, differing from traditional Tonebenders, aligning more with a Distortion+ and incorporating a Big Muff tone control.

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  • The pedal exhibits low input impedance, leading to sound changes with buffered pedals, similar to germanium fuzz characteristics yet without germanium components.

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Comparisons

  • The circuit is likened to a less aggressive opamp Muff, diverging from the original Tonebender tones, which were germanium transistor-based.

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  • The circuit's simplicity and fame have led to numerous clones, offering similar tones at potentially lower prices.

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Value and pricing

  • Originals can fetch $900, while 1990s reissues are typically valued around $500, highlighting the importance of verifying the pedal's era for accurate pricing.

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  • Checking Reverb's recent sales history, rather than listings, provides a more accurate gauge of the pedal's market value.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how Eric Bell uses Colorsound Tonebender

Eric Bell

Guitarist

Thin Lizzy

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Verified via Premierguitar

"“Whiskey in the Jar” is the song that started Thin Lizzy’s legacy. In the early ’70s, Bell often played with a Colorsound Tone Bender and a Watkins Copicat tape echo, which comes through in his sound here."

See how Edwyn Collins uses Colorsound Tonebender

Edwyn Collins

Singer, Guitarist

Orange Juice

...
Verified via Photo

Colorsound Tonebender is included in this diagram of Edwyn's setup.

See how Jason Stollsteimer uses Colorsound Tonebender

Jason Stollsteimer

Guitarist

The Von Bondies

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Verified via Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Jason Stollsteimer uses the Colorsound Tonebender as his primary fuzz pedal, as noted in Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.

See how Dominic Chad uses Colorsound Tonebender

Dominic Chad

Guitarist, Composer

Mansun

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Verified via Mansun

In this transcription of a 1998 interview with Guitar magazine, Chad discussed the recording of Mansun's Six album. "Then there were loads of smaller pedals - a Colorsound Toneblender, an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, a Daddy-O, a Rat fuzz, plus an old Electro-Harmonix Clone Theory which is excellent for a really shitty chorus sound."

See how Rob Graham uses Colorsound Tonebender

Rob Graham

Bassist

Drenge

...
Verified via Twitter

In a photo posted by Rob Graham's twitter you can see a tone bender fuzz with the caption "I'm in love."

See how LAUNDER uses Colorsound Tonebender

LAUNDER

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Just below his pedalboard, LAUNDER can be seen using a Colorsound Tonebender Fuzz pedal.

L

Lincoln Fong

Bassist, Music Producer

The Jesus and Mary Chain

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Verified via Archive

In this GuitarGeek rig diagram, made by Adam Cooper, Lincoln's rig includes a Colorsound Tonebender fuzz pedal.

Album Usage

The Colorsound Tonebender has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Colorsound Tonebender, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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lidbo

lidbo

Gear IQ 96

shahar_levy

shahar_levy

Gear IQ 194

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