The Thunderbird MKI is inspired by the 1965 Gary Hurst/Sola Sound Tone Bender MKI, as used by Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Mick Ronson, Steve Winwood, Pete Townshend among others.

Built in a custom sand cast enclosure as used in the 60s with circuit construction and parts selection that are a nod to the originals. There first ones feature CV5712/OC75 and one Texas Instruments transistors.