Electro-Harmonix Bender Royale Germanium Fuzz
Classic germanium Mkiii 3-transistor fuzz with massive tonal control.
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. The pedal comes equipped with a standard EHX 9 Volt power supply.
Product Highlights:
EHX feature-rich homage to the Tone Bender Mkiii
Modern controls for expanded tonal possibilities
FAT switch adds bass and low-mids boost
CLIP switch rebiases clipping structure from Ge (smoother) to LED (rougher)
BIAS controls adjust circuit voltage to achieve gated, ripping tones
BLEND mixes dry signal back into tone
TREBLE is an active treble shelving EQ for taming highs
VOL, BASS, and FUZZ adjust volume, bass frequencies, and input gain
Product Features:
Power Jack: Current draw: 12mA at 9.0VDC.
Fat Switch: Turn on for more low-end and middle frequencies, turn off for a thinner, cutting fuzz tone.
Clip Switch: Changes the biasing diode of the germanium transistor fuzz stage. Set to "Ge" to bias the transistor evenly for balanced clipping. Set to "LED" for a rougher balance.
Volume Knob: Sets the output level of the Bender Royale.
Treble Knob: Active treble shelving control of high frequencies. Turn up for a brighter tone, turn down for a warmer sound.
Blend Knob: Adjusts the mix between the fuzz and your dry signal. At maximum, the output is entirely the fuzz signal. As the knob is turned down, more of the dry signal is blended into the output. At the minimum position, the signal is completely dry.
Fuzz Knob: Controls the input gain of the fuzz circuit. Turn clockwise for more fuzz.
Bass Knob: Passive Tone-Bender-inspired control of bass frequencies. Turn up for a fuller sound, turn down to cut low frequencies.
Bias Knob: Sets the input bias voltage of the fuzz circuit. Set to the middle for normal operation, and turn either direction to push the transistors out of bias for crunchier or sputtering sounds.
Amp Jack: Audio output jack. Output impedance: 660Ω.
Input Jack: Audio input jack. Input impedance: 1.1MΩ.
Footswitch and Status LED: The soft footswitch engages or bypasses the effect. The status LED lights when the effect is engaged and is off when in bypass. The Bender Royale employs True Bypass with a mechanical relay. The footswitch includes a momentary action when you press and hold the switch for more than half a second. The momentary footswitch action may also be disabled, see the section Footswitch Latching and Momentary Action.
Product Specifications:
Circuit: Analog
Bypass: True Bypass
Audio: Mono
Power Supply: 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter included
Dimensions (in): 4.5 x 2.75 x 2.1
Current Draw: 12mA
Year Released: 2025
UPC: 683274012636
