Anyone have experience with the MXR BC108 Fuzz and the Fulltone 69?

I am looking to get another fuzz in my quest for Fuzz.... Anyone have any comparisons/thoughts between these 2 fuzzes? I don't have access in Slovenia to try them out so I need youtube and the opinions of you fine players.

MXR BC108 and Fulltone 69

I don't have either but they are both supposed to be great "Fuzz Face"-type variations (have heard demos)

The MXR BC108 is basiclally a silicon transistor Fuzz Face (with added buffer to make it more friendly with wah pedals) From what I understand even though it has a very strong fuzz character it is dynamic (great cleanup from the guitar volume knob)

The Fulltone '69- is a germanium transistor fuzz face, with less gain, but perhaps more musical and more dynamic (and more $$!)

I bet both kick ass!

I've tried both, and I have the MXR. They're both great Fuzz Face clones, the MXR sounds slightly harsher and the Fulltone is softer, rounder and more dynanmic. The Fulltone does sound nicer but not enough to make up for the difference in price, IMO.

I've got the MXR. Although I have not played the '69, I have owned a couple of germanium Fuzz Faces which sounded a little warmer. IMO, the differences would probably be lost in a band situation. Germanium transistors are also sensative to heat, which is apparently a problem for some users, although I've never encountered it.

I also like the buffer switch on the MXR. It brightens the sound a little and could be useful for matching the 108 up with some amps, as well as making it more friendly to certain wah pedals.

All that being said, I bet I could find a spot for the Fulltone if the right deal came my way.

The MXR BC108 is basiclally a silicon transistor Fuzz Face (with added buffer to make it more friendly with wah pedals)

It is actually a bit more than just your standard silicon Fuzz Face. Dunlop had Tripps work his magic with the Classic 108 beyond just the cool buffer feature...

...The Classic 108 actually has variations of elements from ALL THREE of the signature series Dunlop Fuzz Faces. There are bias trimmers for both transistors, there is augmentation to the "smoothing effect," I believe it has the same 470K reverse taper level control (an oddity to the FF that seems to really work well), a few tricks at the fuzz pot/circuit, and basically "provisions to supertune" the FF circuit, right on the pcb. So it actually has a combination of elements of the Jimi Hendrix sig, Joe Bonamassa sig, AND Eric Johnson sig.

The Classic 108 is one heck of a "real" Fuzz Face, and it's hard to believe that it is just barely over a c note for one brand new. Just like the Carbon Copy and other MXR pedals of late, there's a whole bunch of Tripps/Way Huge Electronics slick application going on.

Pound for pound, the Classic 108 is probably the best silicon Fuzz Face available to the masses right now, IMO. Even if you could build a kit silicon FF clone for $60, you might get better results from the MXR. A real winner.

^ I don't have a real fuzz (I fake it with a "fake Rat", ha!) but I lust for a real fuzz; the MXR sounds like a great, affordable/realiable fuzz- but every time I get ready to buy one, I just think "You are only gonna use this on a few songs! Save your $$!" But I think that would all change if I just got one! I'm intrigued about the whole 'guitar cleanup' factor- I'd probably love it:wink:!

Great advice and comments.. Thanks!

Great advice and comments.. Thanks!

Check out the MXR BC-108 demo on ProGuitarShop.com, if you haven't already- The Fulltone demo is probably there too

^ I don't have a real fuzz (I fake it with a "fake Rat", ha!) but I lust for a real fuzz; the MXR sounds like a great, affordable/realiable fuzz- but every time I get ready to buy one, I just think "You are only gonna use this on a few songs! Save your $$!" But I think that would all change if I just got one! I'm intrigued about the whole 'guitar cleanup' factor- I'd probably love it:wink:!

If forced to, I could probably use a FF-derivative in place of an OD for about 35% of what I do. So I'll tell you what - I'm really close to pulling the trigger on one of these (I've spent time using others, but with my own I can give it a full on evaluation).

...If I can get thru a fairly basic gig using this pedal over half the time, I'll pass on the word. I can't make any promises. I suspect it's the kind of thing that would really just require multiple gigs and settling in with a particular pedal, but who knows? I like a good challenge anyway.

I need to make the proviso that my DR desperately needs new power tubes, so getting the C108 would be a leap for me, but it's just so much bang for the buck that it's hard to pass on. So really tempting. When something IMO REALLY good comes along, I try to buy it despite the obstacles. I've deemed the C108 to be one such pedal.

So...we'll see, maybe! :wink:

http://youtu.be/nZ85Uy7BNac

This demo makes me wonder if I really should go with MXR. I want Fuzz Face for gilmourish sounds from Pompeii, The Wall, DSOTM. Shouldn't Classic 108 be brighter to suit that? I'm looking for a fuzz to use it, where my Big Muff is just too much.

If you're going for that FF tone, I highly recommend the MXR. I had one for a while - just didn't use it enough to justify the real estate on my board. But $ for $ it's a great fuzz, and the buffer is very useful.

If you're looking for a mean, nasty, take their heads off fuzz check out the MXR El Grande fuzz.
It's designed for bass but is monstrous with guitar!

http://youtu.be/nZ85Uy7BNac

This demo makes me wonder if I really should go with MXR. I want Fuzz Face for gilmourish sounds from Pompeii, The Wall, DSOTM. Shouldn't Classic 108 be brighter to suit that? I'm looking for a fuzz to use it, where my Big Muff is just too much.

I think it would be a good fit for all that. I know that Gilmour had a germanium FF or two, but the silicons are a better fit IMO for much of what he used them for.

I regularly use a silicon FF-derivative for all the Dark Side/Meddle/Animals kinda things that I know aren't a Muff...

I think it would be a good fit for all that. I know that Gilmour had a germanium FF or two, but the silicons are a better fit IMO for much of what he used them for.

I regularly use a silicon FF-derivative for all the Dark Side/Meddle/Animals kinda things that I know aren't a Muff...

What Pink Floyd stuff then is a Big Muff, as I guess I assumed all of the above referenced was a Muff? I'm working right now on some DSOTM tunes (using the GFS as that is what I have...)

I had a Fulltone '69, and Fulltone '70 pedal. Both awesome, ended up selling them due to infrequent use. Prefered the '70 had a band of gypsy fuzz sound.

What Pink Floyd stuff then is a Big Muff, as I guess I assumed all of the above referenced was a Muff? I'm working right now on some DSOTM tunes (using the GFS as that is what I have...)

I think Gilmour started using his ram's head regularly around Animals and forward, but still using the FF a bit...

So Dark Side TBBOMK is all FF...

Just listen to the solos in Money - I've NEVER heard a Muff sound like that!!! So explosive and nearly microphonic....

So Dark Side TBBOMK is all FF...

Just listen to the solos in Money - I've NEVER heard a Muff sound like that!!! So explosive and nearly microphonic....

Yeah, that's what I'm looking for. After watching other demos I must admit Classic 108 is really impressive and buffer opens it up. Gotta give it a try with Baja Tele.

I think I am going to give the MXR Fuzz a try too. I have always been looking at that pedal and have chosen other pedals that I have not been happy with. It is time to go with my gut... Just like the Big Muff. I looked for Big Muff substitutes and boutiques but ended up finding what I wanted with an actual Big Muff... go figure.

I think Gilmour started using his ram's head regularly around Animals and forward, but still using the FF a bit...

So Dark Side TBBOMK is all FF...

Just listen to the solos in Money - I've NEVER heard a Muff sound like that!!! So explosive and nearly microphonic....


Thanks for the info!
This is helpful- may need to sell something and get a MXR FF!:wink:

I do love Meddle/DSOTM/WYWH Pink Floyd, and I'm in a new group situtation (kind of just popped up) where we all want to try our hand at some of this music, and a FF would be great to have for this as well as all kinds of other stuff- a new tone to explore!

Ok, mine 108 should be sent this week :-)

Ok, mine 108 should be sent this week :-)

Cool! You must report :wink:- Hope you like it!

OMG! Best fuzz ever :D Completely different from I had experienced. I had Danelectro Cool Cat Fuzz v1, DIY Bazz Fuss, but never really like'em. Big Muff /w Wicker is a keeper, but it's a Big-Nasty-Harmonic-Content-Overload-Muff-Monster :D I was looking for something that can do from lower gain fuzz magic (via guitar vol turned down) to wild and nasty. And by nasty I mean a sound, that creates in your head imagination of a funnel - like there's more "sound" to pass, but it cannot jump out of the speaker, if you know what I mean ;) TBH, it's not easy to play as it underlines "feel" in your playing, but also bolds lack of it. And I'm still trying to find its best place in chain with Visual Sound Angry Fuzz, Wah-Wah, EHX Worm and Boss OD-3.
To sum up, Classic 108 is not as good as I hoped - it's way better! OK, it's my first fuzz-face like machine and its honeymoon perior, but it defines my taste for know, and there seems to be no way back to "you-can't-go-wrong-with-20$" fuzz pedals.

OMG! Best fuzz ever :D
To sum up, Classic 108 is not as good as I hoped - it's way better! OK, it's my first fuzz-face like machine and its honeymoon perior, but it defines my taste for know, and there seems to be no way back to "you-can't-go-wrong-with-20$" fuzz pedals.

I also got the MXR BC108... I had my neice bring it for me when she came back from her vacation in the US. I have to agree that it is REALLY good and I am totally impressed. The fuzz is strong and it cleans up very nicely with the volume. So far I play my rythym parts with the vol turned back just a bit and turn it back up for any leads. I am finding that a fuzz is helping me learn to control my dynamics.

Thanks again for all the cool comments and thoughts in this thread!!!

A

I picked a MXR 108 up today for $30. Very, very nice. Its as clear as you like with the buffer on, perfect for rhythm sounds. It doesn't get much better than the MXR/Dunlop stuff.