The Zonk Machine

The British Pedal Company Compact Series Zonk Machine MKI is a vintage-style fuzz pedal based on the original John Hornby Skewes Zonk Machine, produced in Leeds, England, between 1965 and 1966. Closely related in sound to the Tone Bender MKI, it delivers aggressive, driven fuzz with a bright, saturated character. The circuit uses specially selected transistors, with OC75 and OC44 types associated with bright, high-gain and driven tonal characteristics. Two controls provide sound adjustment: Fuzz determines the intensity of distortion, while Swell adjusts the output level. The pedal recreates the character of the rare original Zonk Machine in a compact, pedalboard-friendly enclosure. Produced in limited quantities, it features a negative 9V power input.