Andy Martin Demos Benson Amps Stonkbox: A Germanium, Temperature-Controlled Boutique Fuzz

Benson Amps has just released the new Stonk Box-a germanium transistor-based fuzz utilizing the brand's proprietary Automatic Thermal Bias technology, which ensures that the transistors will sound good in temperatures ranging from freezing to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Watch Andy Martin demo the new boutique fuzz, and check out more info here: reverb.com/new...

[@iann8733]

Amazing as always Andy

[@daveschorrtube]

I really like that song at the beginning. Great pedal.

[@AndyDemos]

Thanks so much, I was going for that early Bowie thing! ✌️

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

AMAZING ---GERMANIUM TRANSISTORS --were invented in 1950 ,s PNP and NPN type ---astounded to see they are still in use today --well done !

[@johndrowe5281]

Great demo vid, Mr Andy… This pedal sounds, dare I say, too Groovy for words. The Benson folks have obviously outdone themselves whilst keeping the price well within reason. Mellifluous, thick fuzz tones … As always, well done and much appreciated. Will definitely hunt one down - or ask 🎅🏻 for one 🤔😁. Godspeed. Stay healthy, my friend. 🎸👨🏼‍⚕️. 🫶✌️♾️

[@JohnsDough1918]

For all the love the Tonebender Mk II and at a lesser extent the I.V justifiably get, the Mk I is pure rock'n'roll. I haven't owned a germanium fuzz in years because of their unstable nature, so I'm certainly considering this. If Benson end up making a Buzzaround version of their circuit, that will be an instant buy though.

[@RipReed]

I'm a huge Ronson fan so . . .

[@sjoerdknol]

Crazy playing as always!

[@everennui1]

Stonks always go up.

[@hughmann130]

This new Benson pedal VS the JHS Bender for Ronsonesque type playing? Can't go wrong with either but would like to really nail that sound!

[@AndyDemos]

Both are really stable (Benson's automatic thermal bias vs JHS using new Silicon transistors) but the Stonk really matches Ronno's MKI Tonebender, in my opinion. I like the JHS Bender and it came really close to the original '73 MK3 but it's much more refined and not as raw as the earlier Benders. Trust your ears in the end!

[@hughmann130]

@@AndyDemos Ronno and Ando. 2 of my favorite players 😎🎸. Thank you for your helpful responses as usual. Howdy and blessings from Texas.

[@lookbovine]

My mk1.5 is called the Lady Stardust. I was under the impression that’s what he used. JHS made a mk1.5 in their 1966 series that sounded pretty good on their video. Zonk boxes are not exact mk1 copies either so…

[@davidhornbeckmusic7487]

@@lookbovineI finally was able to pick up a Lady Stardust last year. I’d borrowed my friends’ a few years earlier and fell in love with it. I always thought it was an MKI but when I got it and opened it up I only saw 2 transistors so, I guess it is indeed a MKI.5,.. but man these things rock!

[@davidhornbeckmusic7487]

@andydemos Great demo sir, I may have to buy yet another MKI. 😂 I’ll give props for one I don’t think I’ve seen you demo yet..JDM Pedals’ Elektrika. The gate knob on it is dying electricity bliss! Wonderful for power chords to sizzle out of existence with however you set the gate.

[@sassycat]

Nice vintage sounds!

[@LukeBlase]

Seems like an ideal pedal for hanging onto oneself.

[@Fender420]

Rebirb Tone Resort

[@AndyDemos]

I’ll have a margarita please

[@SilentJayBird]

​@@AndyDemos Make that two, thank you kindly.

[@lordhammerwind]

@5:33... DAMN!

[@darwinsaye]

This confuses me. Everything I’ve seen about germanium fuzzes has led me to believe they have problems when the get too warm, and so you have to keep them cool. But this has a circuit that *warms* the transistors?

[@brettkeller8168]

As it gets too hot the same system that warms it becomes a heat sink and it seesaws back and forth keeping the temperature in the sweet spot.

[@pazuzian]

is there a similar pedal?

[@lucianotito6995]

Nice Andy! As aways!

[@LukeG_Eire]

What makes this different from a tone bender ?

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

It IS the MK I Tone Bender, but temperature controlled.

[@LukeG_Eire]

@@mikemorrisonmusic thank you kind sir

[@stefanbo3620]

Plus it has the buffer thingy that means you don't have to put it first in Chain.

[@johndrowe5281]

All excellent and helpful replies … and polite. Go figure 😊. Cheers/ Slainte and Godspeed to all.. 🎸👨🏼‍⚕️🫶✌️♾️🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸

[@smelltheglove2038]

Dang, you know what sounds so awesome? A single coil guitar and a humbucker guitar playing the same notes at the same time. They work so well together. I’ve found this band called Hällas from Sveeden, the strat and Les Paul harmonizing together is so great. Or hell, Lynyrd Skynyrd or any of the bands from yesteryear who do the same. I love it. It sounds so good.

[@charleschasmo]

Interesting sound the demo was ok

[@spacebarbus]

Gimmick.

[@slimturnpike]

So the Trim basically acts like your guitar's vol control, except without affecting pedal volume?