Fulltone BC-108C User manual
Congratulations on your purchase of the
Model BC-108C
Vintage Fuzzface pedals are a favorite of many artists from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, and
Vintage Fuzzface pedals are a favorite of many artists from the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, and
beyond, used most notably by one James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix to get a staggering
beyond, used most notably by one James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix to get a staggering
array of clean and bombastic sounds...all depending on where the guitar’s volume
array of clean and bombastic sounds...all depending on where the guitar’s volume
knob was set. There were basically two versions of the Fuzzface: the earlier “Arbiter”
knob was set. There were basically two versions of the Fuzzface: the earlier “Arbiter”
Fuzzface (with Germanium NKT275 transistors) and the later “Dallas Arbiter” Fuzz-
Fuzzface (with Germanium NKT275 transistors) and the later “Dallas Arbiter” Fuzz-
face. (with silicon BC183L and BC108-C transistors)
face. (with silicon BC183L and BC108-C transistors)
The nastier, more distorted, BC108-C Fuzzface came out around 1970, and it inspired
The nastier, more distorted, BC108-C Fuzzface came out around 1970, and it inspired
both the circuit and the name of your new Fulltone 70 pedal.
both the circuit and the name of your new Fulltone 70 pedal.
In my 20’s, I spent much of my time scouring the country finding these old vintage
In my 20’s, I spent much of my time scouring the country finding these old vintage
effects that nobody seemed to want. Many of them were broken, some sounded like
effects that nobody seemed to want. Many of them were broken, some sounded like
God, and some sounded like crap. I couldn't believe people would pay $1000 for an
God, and some sounded like crap. I couldn't believe people would pay $1000 for an
original Fuzzface when the sound consistency was so hit-or-miss, so I started learning
original Fuzzface when the sound consistency was so hit-or-miss, so I started learning
exactly what made the occasional one “magical.” This eventually led to the birth of
exactly what made the occasional one “magical.” This eventually led to the birth of
Fulltone: vintage style tones with more flexibility, more reliability, better quality, true-
Fulltone: vintage style tones with more flexibility, more reliability, better quality, true-
bypass switching w/ LED status, a DC power outlet, and at a price that was as much
bypass switching w/ LED status, a DC power outlet, and at a price that was as much
as 1/10th that of the original.
as 1/10th that of the original.
The 70 pedal was the 3rd or 4th release from Fulltone. Debuting in 1994 and was the
The 70 pedal was the 3rd or 4th release from Fulltone. Debuting in 1994 and was the
quintessential version of a 1970-1973 silicon transistor "vintage Fuzzface clone.” For
quintessential version of a 1970-1973 silicon transistor "vintage Fuzzface clone.” For
some reason I designed the 70 into a ridiculously large enclosure considering how
some reason I designed the 70 into a ridiculously large enclosure considering how
simple the circuit is, but it was a fairly popular pedal in my line, considering most
simple the circuit is, but it was a fairly popular pedal in my line, considering most
people don’t know how to use fuzzes.
people don’t know how to use fuzzes.
The 70 sold around 4400 units during the next 15 years, using various transistors
The 70 sold around 4400 units during the next 15 years, using various transistors
including BC183L, ECG199, 2SC828, and (my favorite) the BC108-C. At some point
including BC183L, ECG199, 2SC828, and (my favorite) the BC108-C. At some point
early along the way I added the "Mid" knob which, for the first time, allowed a silicon
early along the way I added the "Mid" knob which, for the first time, allowed a silicon
Fuzzface-style pedal to cut through the mix...along with the internal Bias trimmer to
Fuzzface-style pedal to cut through the mix...along with the internal Bias trimmer to
allow the user to get softer or harder-edged tones.
allow the user to get softer or harder-edged tones.
Recently I found a huge stash of my favorite Silicon transistors for this circuit, the
Recently I found a huge stash of my favorite Silicon transistors for this circuit, the
BC-108C, so I have reintroduced the 70 in a smaller enclosure, with our proprietary
BC-108C, so I have reintroduced the 70 in a smaller enclosure, with our proprietary
"anti-pop" quiet switching circuit, better power supply filtering for less noise, and polar-
"anti-pop" quiet switching circuit, better power supply filtering for less noise, and polar-
ity protection to keep you from frying the Transistors. I hope you enjoy it or that is
ity protection to keep you from frying the Transistors. I hope you enjoy it or that is
pushes you into some new musical direction...that’s the magic of fuzz!
pushes you into some new musical direction...that’s the magic of fuzz!
enjoy,
enjoy,
Michael Fuller/President
2011 FMP Inc. All Rights Reserved
Features:
VOLUME knob: This controls the overall volume level when the pedal is turned ON.
MIDS knob: As you turn this knob Clockwise (CW) Midrange and gain is added…I like this knob
somewhere around 12’oclock. The Mids knob allows you to fine-tune to your guitar/amp configuration
and cut through in a live band situation, something the original Fuzzface cannot do. You'll find a
"sweet-spot" where the notes want to sustain.. stock Fuzzface sounds are located with this “Mid” knob
Fully counter-clockwise. (CCW)
FUZZ knob: Turning this CW increases the amount of distortion and sustain. Like the original Fuzzface,
nothing much happens until this knob gets to about 3 o’clock, and most of the gain comes on at the
very end of the CW motion.
NOTE: there may be some crackling noises while turning the “Mid” and “Gain” Pots...this is normal so
don’t worry.
Internal BIAS Trimmer: There’s an internal trimmer (pre-set by us) that affects the pedal’s response
and varies the feel from soft to firm, as well as overall compression and transient response...feel free
to experiment with this trimmer as there is no right or wrong
Turn Clockwise to soften and compress more
Turn CCW to increase loudness, quicken tracking, and increase bottom end.
Power & Battery: This pedal is fitted with a DC jack (2.1mm shaft) for use with a power supply (not
included, but we recommend our FPS-1) Always use a “regulated” power supply with Negative (-) to
center pin…you may use any DC voltage from 5 to 18 volts, although 9 volts DC is the standard.
Warranty:
All Fulltone products carry a 5 year warranty to the original owner with proof of purchase. The
Warranty covers damage by our errors only, and not any mod or repair done by anyone other than
Fulltone without prior written consent! Footswitches are warranted for 1 year, and batteries are not
covered. Customer pays shipping in advance, and all warranty work must be preceded by a phone call
for scheduling. Fulltone Musical Products Inc. is not responsible for injuries incurred while using our
products nor any damage to other items related or non-related to the use our products.
Fulltone Musical Products Inc.
11018 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Go to http://www.fulltone.com for email link to appropriate department
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