Benson STÖRKN B0kš

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.