Merkin Fuzz (Reissue)

The Catalinbread Merkin Fuzz Reissue recreates the silicon Tone Bender MKII circuit, one of the defining fuzz sounds of 1960s British rock. Hand-selected silicon transistors replace the rare and inconsistent germanium originals while maintaining the aggressive, spitty character of the MKII topology. Level and Attack controls provide the classic two-knob Tone Bender interface.

The MKII circuit sits between the raw, gated violence of the MKI and the smoother MKIII (which became the Fuzz Face). It's aggressive and forward with a cutting midrange presence that slices through a band mix. At 3mA on 9–18V DC, it's extremely efficient. The higher voltage option tightens the low end and increases headroom slightly.

A faithful reissue of one of Catalinbread's earliest designs—the Merkin was among their first pedals. The silicon transistor choice makes it more temperature-stable and consistent than germanium alternatives while keeping the essential Tone Bender MKII snarl.