The Electro-Harmonics Bender Royale is an advanced version of the classic three-transistor germanium fuzz circuit, inspired by the famous MkIII Tone Bender design. This modern fuzz pedal combines vintage authenticity with contemporary features, offering the sought-after germanium fuzz sound that influenced numerous iconic recordings.
The Bender Royale features go beyond traditional fuzz controls. In addition to the standard VOL, FUZZ, and BASS knobs found on most Tone Benders, this pedal also includes modern enhancements that greatly expand its sound capabilities:
- FAT and CLIP switches for added tonal options
- BIAS control for adjusting the response of the circuit
- TREBLE knob for shaping high frequencies
- BLEND control for mixing in clean signal
These additional controls allow you to achieve a wide range of tones, from smooth and sustained sounds to aggressive and sputtering textures. Whether you’re after the warm and fuzzy tones of vintage fuzz pedals or the clear and defined sounds preferred by modern musicians, this pedal has you covered.
The Treble control operates as an active shelving filter, providing surgical precision over the pedal’s high-frequency response. Unlike passive tone controls that simply roll off highs, this active circuit allows you to tame harsh frequencies while preserving the essential bite and definition that makes fuzz cuts through dense mixes. You can dial back excessive brightness from single-coil pickups without losing the articulation that separates individual notes in complex chord voicings.
The passive Bass control offers remarkable range in shaping the pedal’s low-end character. At maximum settings, you get deep, woolly bass response that adds substantial weight to your tone. Rolling it back tightens the bass response, creating a more focused sound that prevents muddiness when playing complex passages or working with bass-heavy amplifiers. This control proves essential for EQ tuning across different guitars and playing environments.
The Fat switch functions as your secret weapon for adding body and presence to your fuzz tone. This feature boosts bass and lower-mid frequencies, creating a thicker, more saturated sound that fills sonic space effectively. When engaged, the switch enhances harmonic content and sustain, making it particularly valuable when using brighter pickups that might otherwise sound thin through the fuzz circuit. The Fat switch transforms the pedal’s character from cutting and aggressive to warm and enveloping.
BIAS and FUZZ knobs: These two controls work together to shape your core sound. Depending on your settings, you can achieve smooth saturation for blues-rock solos or a sputtery tone for garage punk aggression.
The inclusion of the BLEND knob opens up even more possibilities for using the Bender Royale beyond traditional fuzz applications, allowing mixing in some clean signal to maintain your guitar’s natural attack while adding richness to your tone through harmonics.
The Bender Royale represents a significant leap in fuzz pedal evolution from Electro-Harmonix’s earlier offerings. While previous EHX fuzz circuits focused primarily on the Big Muff topology, this pedal marks the company’s first serious venture into second-generation Tone Bender territory. The inclusion of modern features like the BIAS control, CLIP switch (with Germanium and LED voicings), and BLEND knob sets it apart from vintage-inspired competitors that often prioritize authenticity over functionality.
Combining germanium-transistor authenticity with silicon-era reliability makes the Bender Royale more practical for gigging musicians than temperamental vintage units or overly simplified modern interpretations.
The soft-touch footswitch can be used in two ways – latching and momentary. This gives you flexibility in how you use the pedal during your performances.
The Bender Royale is an exciting new product from Electro-Harmonix that combines the best of both worlds: the vintage sound that guitarists love and the modern features that make it more practical to use. This review of the Bender Royale fuzz pedal shows that it stays true to its roots while also making improvements that are important to today’s musicians.
