JHS Mary-K

JHS Mary-K is a Kay Fuzz Tone replica with unbelievable ‘spitty’ fuzztones. This fuzz is one of the Edge’s go-to pedals.

Kay Musical Instruments was founded by Henry “Kay” Kuhrmeyer on July 1, 1931. Although Henry quickly shifted production focus to all types of stringed instruments (including basses, violas and guitars), they didn’t enter the guitar pedal market until the late 1960s with a series of knobless, treadle-based delightfully odd plastic pedals.

Each of these four units (the Fuzz Tone F1, Tremolo T1, Wah Wah W1 and Bass Boost B1) were housed in knobless, treadle-based enclosures allowing one parameter of each effect to be adjusted by foot. The Kay Fuzz Tone was most likely released in late 1968/early 1969. Initially designed as a low-cost-version of the Shin-ei/Univox Superfuzz.

Fifty-four years later, JHS is releasing their spin on the Kay Fuzz Tone: the Mary-K. Even knobs and an expression pedal output have been added for those who want to use it as it was originally intended.

JHS Mary-K demo video