When it comes to fuzz, few circuits are as revered — or as hotly debated — as the classic three-transistor Tone Bender. Its snarling, saturated growl has defined countless records and inspired endless variations from boutique builders and big brands alike. Now, Electro-Harmonix has thrown its hat into the ring with the Bender Royale, a feature-packed fuzz that tips its crown to the vintage Tone Bender MkIII while pushing the design into entirely new tonal territory.
At its heart, the Bender Royale retains the spirit of the original germanium-based circuit — rich, harmonically complex fuzz tones that range from thick and velvety to wild and sputtering. Whether you’re chasing trashy, ripped-speaker grit or fat, molten sustain, this fuzz has you covered. The familiar VOL, FUZZ, and BASS controls deliver classic operation: VOL governs the output level, FUZZ dials in input gain, and BASS shapes the low-end response from woolly warmth to a tighter punch.
But EHX didn’t stop at cloning the past. The Bender Royale is loaded with thoughtful modern upgrades that dramatically expand its tonal range. Leading the charge is the aptly named FAT switch, which delivers a hefty boost in bass and low-mids, perfect for thickening up single-coil tones or adding some serious muscle to your rhythm sound. The CLIP switch shifts the final germanium transistor’s clipping structure from Ge diodes to LEDs, introducing a rougher, more aggressive edge that nails the raw, unpolished vibe of early fuzz boxes.
A BIAS control lets players fine-tune the circuit’s internal voltage, smoothly morphing the character of the fuzz from rich and saturated to gated and sputtery. It’s ideal for achieving that dying-battery, velcro-tear fuzz sound that’s addicting in all the right ways. The TREBLE control serves as an active shelving EQ to tame harsh highs, while the BLEND knob mixes clean signal back into your tone — a secret weapon for retaining attack, clarity, and punch, especially when stacking with other drives or dialing in fuzz bass tones.
EHX also brings modern switching functionality to the party. The soft-touch footswitch offers both latching and momentary modes: tap once for standard on/off control, or hold for a quick burst of fuzz that cuts out when you release. It’s a clever addition that makes the Bender Royale as dynamic and expressive as the tones it produces. As expected, the pedal features true bypass switching and comes with a standard EHX 9V power supply.
Get the Bender Royale here and keep up with all our Electro-Harmonix coverage right here.
