Electro Harmonix Bender Royale MKIII

The history of the 3-transistor fuzz is storied and colorful, with many makers and iterations. EHX submits its chapter in the story as the Bender Royale fuzz! A take on the MKIII version of the vintage germanium-based circuit, the Bender Royale takes the splendidly saturated sound of the original and opens up a world of fuzz tones — from thick and smooth to brash and sputtery. If you’re into trashy, ripping fuzz or big, fat saturated tones, the Bender Royale will get you there.

Classic 3-Knob Control Set

The original 3-knob control set includes:

• VOL: Controls output.
• FUZZ: Adjusts the input gain.
• BASS: Acts as a passive bass frequency, ranging from full wool to a tightened bass response.

With these controls, you already have a massively versatile pedal, perfect for huge rhythm tones and ripping leads.

Modern Upgrades for Tonal Versatility

The Bender Royale comes packed with modern features to expand its tonal possibilities:

• FAT Switch: Adds a massive bass and low-mids boost to your tone, acting as the perfect thickening agent for your sound.
• CLIP Switch: Changes the clipping structure of the final germanium transistor stage. Switching the transistor’s biasing diode from Ge to LED creates a rougher, rowdier edge to the tone, accentuating the unpolished vibe of early fuzz pedals.
• Bias Control: Adjusts the overall voltage of the circuit, taking the fuzz from smooth to sputtery. This control allows you to create addicting gated, rippy tones that tickle your fuzz bone.
• TREBLE: An active treble shelving filter to rein in high frequencies.
• BLEND Knob: Mixes clean signal back into your sound. This helps retain attack and clarity when used with other dirt sources or keeps your low-end clean and clear when bending your bass tone.

Footswitch & Power Features

The Bender Royale features mechanical true bypass switching with a soft footswitch that offers both latching and momentary action:

• Latching Action: Click the footswitch for standard latching.
• Momentary Action: Hold the footswitch for more than half a second, and it switches momentarily, returning to its previous state upon release. This is perfect for quick bursts of fuzz or clean tones.

The pedal comes equipped with a 9 Volt battery and accepts a standard EHX 9 Volt power supply.

Whether you're chasing vintage fuzz or exploring modern tonal flexibility, the Bender Royale delivers a versatile and dynamic fuzz experience.