Benson Amps STÖRKN B0kš

The STÖRKN B0kš is a modified/augmented version of our Stonk Box pedal, created in collaboration with the main inspiration of the Stonk Box, the legendary guitarist and composer David Torn. STORKN B0ks 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.

Benson started with the Stonk Box, their heavily modified version of a Tone Bender MK1 Fuzz (with Supa MK1 midrange tendencies). When designing the Stonk, they 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 they 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. Benson 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 and crushing Fuzz Tones than the Stonk Box can do stock.The other major difference between the Stonk and the STÖRKN B0kš is the addition of a unique positive feedback switch. Knowing David and other unconventional guitarists were going to expect to get a little weird with the pedal, and that David is one of the pioneers of using self noise and oscillation in creative ways, Chris applied a misremembered idea from his lead tech and unconventional guitarist in his own right Carson McWhirter.... He used a diode network in an 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. We honestly cannot recommend pressing this button, but if you do, plug the guitar straight into the fuzz, and make sure to try twisting 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.

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.

Note: The color of the LED indicator light might change. Don’t turn the internal trimmer.