Benson Amps - Storkn Boks ltd edition

"The ȘTÖRKN B0kš is a modified/ augmented version of our Stonk Box pedal, created in collaboration with the main inspiration of the Stonk Box, legendary experimental guitarist and composer David Torn! ȘTÖRKN B0kš is a confused/- confusing and vaguely nordic mashup of "Stonk Box" and "Torn". It utilizes our automatic thermal bias, so after plugging it into power (9vdc only), it will take 2-3 minutes on average to sound correct. The color of the LED indicator light might change. Don’t turn the internal trimmer. 


The ȘTÖRKN B0kš started as a tweaked version of the Stonk Box, our heavily modified version of a Tone Bender mk1 Fuzz. When designing the Stonk, we reached out to David to help, since he is one of the most famous and discerning users of that original 60s circuit. David loved what we came up with, but for his personal pedal he requested more bass on tap, mostly for amplifying the sub frequencies of his down tuned guitars. We added a variable bass control, that effectively fades between the thinned out bass sound of the first version of the Zonk Machine (what the Stonk comes with stock), and the wide open sound of the mk1. The addition of more bass allows for even more gnarly, gated, gnarly and crushing Fuzz Tones than the Stonk Box could do stock.

 
The other major difference between the Stonk and the ȘTÖRKN B0kš is the addition of a unique positive feedback switch. Knowing David and other unconventional guitarists were going to get a little weird with the pedal, Chris applied a misremembered idea from his lead tech and unconventional guitarist in his own right Carson McWhirter.... He used a diode network in the oscillation path to get weird sub tones, synthy filter sounds and basically the ability to ruin a perfectly good set with the press of a button. It is powerful magic. We honestly can't recommend pressing this button, but if you do, use the fuzz right after your guitar, and make sure to twist every knob including your onboard volume and tone. We won't spoil it for you, but I know we haven't found all the sounds in there yet.

AUTOMATIC THERMAL BIAS TECHNOLOGY

The bias of the transistors in this pedal is automatically regulated by a circuit that GENTLY warms the Germanium transistors (2N404 OR 2N527) to a preset operating point using analog components, and ensures a consistent sound, no matter the external temperature. When the LED is amber, the transistors are warming up to increase their hFE (transistor gain) and to shift the bias point to the correct voltage. When the LED turns green, the warmer is off because the correct bias and hFE have been set. Expect the LED to toggle back and forth every so often while the pedal is on...that is how you know it's working. The heaters will warm the transistors enough to still be effective on a summer stage, but far cooler than anything that would harm the transistors. This pedal is designed to operate between freezing and 100F but might still sound fine outside this range....up to about 120F where we’ve found germanium straight up ceases to function...which can happen if it’s left in the sun.

INTERNAL TRIMMER

Please don’t turn the internal trimmer. It is precisely set at our factory. Turning the trimmer voids the warranty. The correct trimmer position is marked in case you get one used where a tone lord hath already turnt it.

POWER SUPPLY

This pedal is for use only with a 9vdc Boss syle center negative power supply...There is no battery. Please do not subject this pedal to more than 9vdc or the pedal or power supply could be destroyed. This pedal draws less than 100ma when the heater is engaged, and far less than that when it is off. It will pull those 100ma instantaneously, which most power supplies have no issue with. With substandard or non standard power supplies it is possible the pedal will start oscillat- ing madly at the heater threshhold, where the LED changes, in which case may we suggest using a current doubler cable, or switching to a higher rated power output.

TRIM is a gain control right before the two amplifying germanium transistors...turned all the way up is how the stock design is all the time.

FILTER manipulates both the gain and the bias point of the first gain stage. When turned down it will take away gain, bass frequency response, and will bring in to a gentle dynamic expander type effect (where quiet notes will be quieter than normal, the opposite of a compressor) TRIM and FILTER are interactive and there are many different flavors of fuzz and distortion to dial in. This pedal will not clean all the way up, even at low trim volumes there will be some distortion (in a nice way). This control will crackle a bit when turned, since there is some DC across it.

 TONE is a low pass filter at the end of the circuit, carefully designed to act almost like a tilt EQ to balance the bright attack and full body of the sound, made possible by the original circuit being WAY brighter than the bypassed guitar signal...Benson think they've struck a good balance here.

VOLUME is the output level...which Benson have increased many orders of magnitude from the original. They took the training wheels off so you can push the front end of your amp into sonic madness (if you want). NOTE: this user-beware approch can also lead to settings with a high noise floor. Please remember, this is a crazy and primitive fuzz at its heart...not a piece of pristine recording equipment. Let’s just say there were good reasons for the next four historic revisions of this particular product. If you are concerning people with a high level of hiss and noise, that’s a feature not a bug. It’s fuzz.

BASS This is a unique feature of the Storkn Boks over the 'standard' Stonk Box, at David's request. He wanted more bass on tap, mostly for amplifying the sub frequencies of his down tuned guitars. This is a variable bass control, that fades between the thinned out bass sound of the first version Zonk Machine (like the Stonk Box) and a wide open sound of a Mk1 Zonk Machine. This also allows for more gnarly, gated wild fuzz tones too. 

OSCILLATION Press down on this dedicated footswitch to get weird, sub tones, synthy filter sounds and get wild. Not for the faint of heart

INTERNAL TRIMMER - Important
Please don’t turn the internal trimmer. It is precisely set at the Benson factory. Turning the trimmer voids the warranty. The correct trimmer position is marked in case you get one used where a tone lord hath already turn it.

This pedal is for use only with a 9vdc Boss syle center negative power supply...There is no battery. Please do not subject this pedal to more than 9vdc or the pedal or power supply could be destroyed. This pedal draws less than 100ma when the heater is engaged, and far less than that when it is off. It will pull those 100ma instantaneously, which most power supplies have no issue with. With substandard or non standard power supplies it is possible the pedal will start oscillat- ing madly at the heater threshhold, where the LED changes, in which case may we suggest using a current doubler cable, or switching to a higher rated power output.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

2 years excluding modification, trim pot manipulation, or damage.

You betcha'. These are in stock, here at James' Home of Tone available for collection and ordering. But once they're gone, they're gone, as this was a limited edition run and I only secured one batch.

Local pickup - If you are local and wish to collect any items or order in advance for collection on a specific day, then you can still place an order online and select local pickup at the checkout. Or drop me a message and I'll reserve the items ready for your visit.
For online ordering and dispatch - In stock, non made to order items are processed and dispatched 4 days a week; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday.
For orders that are placed on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday I have an order cut off time of 14:00GMT (with Royal Mail shipping services only) to allow me chance to process, pack and dispatch your order same day.
For non dispatch days (Saturday, Sunday, & Thursday) there is no order cut-off time, and these will be processed, packed and shipped on the closest following dispatch day.
I will always endeavor to fulfill orders as quickly as I can and if you have specific requirements for a delivery date please do let me know and hopefully I can help.
If you have more queries regarding order placing, processing, fulfillment or general shipping then please see the FAQ page HERE