UralTone Rouhi MK4 by J. Paasonen - kit ('68 Tone Bender MkIII/MkIV)

The Cooperation between Uraltonen and J. Paasonen is continued again in the form of this kit.

As the name suggests, the new build series is based on the Mk3/Mk4 Tone Bender circuit introduced in 1968 with slight updates. This was the first model of the Tone Bender product family with a Tone control. It is precisely the tone pot that makes the MK4 a very versatile Fuzz Pedal. There's plenty of adjustments to be made from Doom growl to loud Surf. The circuit humbly respects the original, excluding the necessary changes required by the transistor model chosen for the task.

The circuit is made with high-quality NOS Valvo AC127 transistors, which enable the use of current standard power sources in addition to a fantastic sound. The transistors have been adapted to work with this circuit without wasting time or materials. Other mechanical and switching components have also been selected from the high-quality end of the range, like the best boutique pedals.

The Mk4 offers strong sustain, but also many shades of milder distortion. Tone adjustments makes it easy to calibrate the frequency band according to the user's preference and the needs of the playing environment. In my own use, I'm used to limiting too much bass humming with one turn of the button. The Rouhi MK4 is exceptionally well suited as a fuzz pedal for various amplifiers, effects devices and guitars.

Enjoy your building process, Janne Paasonen, 15 December 2020

Features

Knobs: Tone, Fuzz, Volume
Switches: by-pass
Power supply: 9V battery or 9VDC power supply (center negative)
Size: 80x55x21mm (box measures)

Kit:
-Assembly instructions (fin / eng)
-Optional Milled Hammond enclosure
-High-quality PCB (Through plated, silk screened, solder masked)
-Components: drilled aluminium enclosure, Alpha pots, good quality 3PDT footswitch, Switchcraft jacks...  The best ones you can find from expensive boutique pedals.
-Does not contain knobs for pots

What is included in the kit?

You´ll get all the parts that are needed to build the fully working pedal. The enclosure is optional, but we recommend the milled / drilled version. You can also drill your own but please note: there is also square hole needed for the DC jack. Footswitch needs a 12mm hole. Knobs are also optional since we all have different taste. Please check our knob selection:

1/4" / 6.3mm set screw knobs

How long it takes to assemble this kit?

Professional builder can do it in 1-2 hours, but for beginners, it can take 2-4 hours. Actually, building pedals is so fun that it does not matter if it takes 2 or 5 hours!

For whom this kit is suitable?

For all of you (us) who loves great guitar sounds and like to do something with your hands. UralTone pedal kits are easy to build, so they are also great for beginners. This can be your first project or your project no 134 - it's always rewarding to use something that you have built by your own hands.

Kits are also great for those who like to have boutique quality but cannot pay the price of high-quality boutique pedals.

What kind of tools do you need to build pedal kits?

Pretty basic tools are enough but, especially if you are the beginner, please use a good soldering station and good quality solder. Making good joints with lousy soldering equipment is difficult. We have collected a tool kit from the tools we actually use every day. These are not that expensive but works great for building pedals and amps. You can find it here:

Tool kit for building audio equipments

So what you get if you build a pedal from UralTone kit?

You´ll get boutique quality pedal with the price of the cheapest one. You´ll get a few hours of relaxing time. You´ll get pedal that works next 50 years and are easy to repair (since you know it from component to component). If you are a beginner, you´ll probably get a new hobby, since this is addictive...

And you also get the best customer care so if you have any question during the building process or cannot get your project to work we are here to help you!