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My favourite fuzz pedal in recent memory...

Daniel Steinhardt's Top 5 Pedals of the past 5 years

Guitarist Magazine - June 2025

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I’ve got to throw a fuzz in here. There’s an amp company in New Zealand called Cunningham and they sent us a bunch of stuff to try. We really like fuzzes and we have them on the [That Pedal Show] show a lot. We try to look at as many different fuzz variants as possible – and there are loads.

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But when we plugged this Cunningham Dual Range Fuzz in, it’s just that instant connection. It sounds great with humbuckers and single coils and is made by someone who really cares. As soon as you take it out of the box, there’s an aura around the thing – you can just tell every little detail is looked after.

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Build quality is second to none. But we have pedals through with amazing build quality that might sound fine, but this is my favorite fuzz pedal in recent memory. It sounds absolutely killer.

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Because it’s made by a company that makes amps, they know how to put these things together using awesome components. But there’s obviously someone there who is a great guitar player, too. Because there’s no way you end up with a fuzz like this that hasn’t come from a great guitar player.

Dan Steinhardt - That Pedal Show / The Gig Rig

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I have been a collector of boutique and vintage fuzz pedals for most of my career. I found one of these Cunningham Zonk pedals on tour in New Zealand.

 

It’s truly one of the greatest fuzz pedals I’ve ever had. I find myself reaching for this more often than my vintage MkII or Supa Fuzz. It’s become my go-to. I can’t speak highly enough about this pedal.

 

If you want the best of the best, it don’t get bester than this!

Richard Fortus - Guns N' Roses

Tim has fantastic ears and that’s really most of the battle in this game.  He also builds with attention to detail rarely seen today, and it’s been a pleasure working with him to nail these incredible tones.

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One play on his Germanium MK1.6 and you’ll be hooked. I’m a fan!

Nick Perri, United States

I have been a fuzz fanatic for forty years now! I tend to use very clean amps and get my distortion from several cabinets that are full of fuzzes.

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I just purchased a MK 1.6 and I want to tell you how much I am enjoying it. It is a complex and subtle fuzz! I probably have 45+ Tonebender variant fuzzes here on the Tonebender shelf, and this is in the top 5 Tonebenders for my personal taste.

 

It does not really sound exactly like any other Tonebender here and it is an exceptionally expressive pedal to play guitar through. Thanks so much for creating a great pedal!!

Henry Kaiser, United States

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The MK1.6 Fuzz easily got to be my no.1 pedal. It literally can do anything. From a lovely boost, over to rich mild fuzz, up to full and filthy.

 

Turn the volume knob on the guitar and it cleans up like no fuzz I have ever played before.

 

But most important: It always complements the guitar and keeps the original character and dynamics. Thanks for that wonderful pedal Tim!

Timo Girnth, Germany

Easily the most touch sensitive and versatile fuzz pedal I’ve had the pleasure of playing.

 

This pedal is extremely inspiring. The blistering fuzz tones give you goosebumps and the creamy tone you get by backing off the volume a touch is downright addictive.

 

With a build quality that’s second to none, this is definitely a ‘stuck on a desert island’ pedal and it will never be leaving my pedal board.

 

Thanks Tim!

Travis Becroft, Australia

MK 1.6 Silicon Fuzz Pedal

I bought a Cunningham Dux Deluxe II valve amplifier a couple of years back now and have been absolutely impressed by it in every way.

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I own old Fender and Gibson tweed amps from the 1950's and early 1960's, which I use for recordings mainly.  I bought the Cunningham Dux Deluxe, as it's basically a Fender Deluxe 5E3 design that's souped up or Hot rodded! 

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I wanted a new more reliable amp for live gigs. This amp has delivered everything I was hopeful of and more.  It also looks really cool and is small and light to lift.

 

When I've had the opportunity, I've been able to compare it to other handmade valve amplifiers and I believe it will hold it's own against any other amplifier on the market. This includes the more top end of the market, with amplifiers like Tone King as an example.

 

Lastly I'd like to say Tim Cunningham learnt his craft from some of the best hand wired valve amplifier builders in the world. As he came back to New Zealand and builds them here for us, why not support him, so he can keep expanding his vision and deliver for the electric guitarists in NZ.

 

Thus many thanks Tim for one very cool amp, especially when I plug a vintage Gibson guitar into it, as your amp makes it sing with a most old tone!

Bernie Messmer, New Zealand

Dux Deluxe II Guitar Amplifier

10 out of 10...

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Please do yourself a favour and get the Zonk/MK1.

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The build quality & craftsmanship are second to none, I find myself from time to time opening the pedal to just have a look inside.

 

I play this pedal through a Victory V40 & the tones are incredible, no matter what settings this will put a massive smile on your face.

 

If you’re looking for a great fuzz for humbuckers this pedal is for you.

Andy Dalton, UK

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I was lucky enough to have a play through a Cunningham MK 1.6 Germanium Fuzz and - Wow! 

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Musical, dynamic and full of character, without doubt the best fuzz I’ve ever played!

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The way it reacted to changes in guitar volume changed my view on what a good fuzz is all about.

Glyn (MrGlyns Pickups), New Zealand

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