Hartman BC108 Silicon Fuzz

Three knobs, couldn't be easier. I like to crank the volume and keep the Fuzz around 1-2 o'clock. Manual is super easy to understand.

I use Tele's, a Strat and a Jazzmaster thru either a 1966 Super Reverb or a Z Maz 18 +StoneAge 2x12. The Si Fuzz sounds incredible using any guitar, and I'm finding all kinds of different sweet spots using the guitars volume control. This pedal is incredibly smooth and
works as a great OD if you back off a bit on volume, then when you need to cut thru, just roll up and all the classic Fuzz tones are there. It's actually a really quiet pedal depending on the volume of the amps used. I play mostly R&R, Indie, Psych + anything classic that requires gear and tones from any great Vinyl release. Interacts really great with other OD's and yields some really cool new sounds when stacking it with other pedals.

I have no worries about the build quality or reliability, and would absolutely gig without a backup.

Theo was totally cool and answered all of my questions about choosing the right Hartman pedal. I did lots of research and emailed several different companies, some of which never
responded??!!
All of my gear is now made by independent and individual manufacturers, and I believe this is
one of the best times for finding reliable, non-mass produced, unique gear that actually has the artist/musician in mind. All musicians should buy locally and support small business
owners. I chose Hartman based on great reviews, and great products, and look forward to trying some of Theo's other designs.

Great pedal, great tones, and great customer service.
Everyone whose heard it and tried it out, has been sold right off the bat.

This silicon fuzz has three knobs volume, bias, and fuzz. Real simple to use.

Extremely simple circuit that doesn't rob tone. Silicon is extremely stable and sounds consistent every time you plug in. I like to turn the volume and bias full up and the fuzz almost completely off. With this setting the guitar's volume cleans up very musical with an almost acoustic quality. Crank the guitar volume and it retains its musical quality but continues past the edge of the envelope. The strat qualities shine through the entire spectrum from country clean to JH feedback. I now know why JH switched to silicon (listen to Band of Gypsies). Don't forget about EJ who also prefers silicon BC108. Throw an analog delay after this pedal and the EJ sounds come through. I have original and Re-issue TS9s and BK Tube Drivers. I have put them on the shelf because this pedal gives me a better clean and overdriven tone just utilizing the guitar volume. Theo has nailed it. I have been playing since the late 60s. The young players I come in contact with are amazed at the versatility and tone of such a simple set up.

Simple circuit with only 7 or 8 robust components. Less components to fail.

Theo has returned my e-mails and phone call every time. You rock Theo.

I play all styles of music. I will purchase one for my 2nd pedalboard.

Very easy to use, very easy to get great tones. 3 knobs, a switch and a bright green LED. It's as easy as it gets.

I plug into this, then a Fulltone Fulldrive II > Old Boss ph1r phaser >
old Ibanez SC10 chorus > Ibanez GE10 equalizer > very old Morley volume pedal > Ibanez AD99 analog delay > a Laney LC15r tube amp.
It is a very quiet for a fuzz pedal.Very smooth. Allows me to play
the earlier King Crimson sounds I love. I suppose a Big Muff or Foxx
Tone machine would work better (as that's what Robert Fripp used then)but what the hell, it sounds great.

It looks like a very well-made unit that will stand the test of time
but haven't owned it all that long so I'll say NO OPINION.

I emailed Theo Hartman once. My email was returned in a very timely manner with courtesy and professionalism.

I play classic rock from the 70's so this and any other great fuzz
are the oyster's iceskates to me. If it were lost or stolen I'd attempt to find a replacement of either this unit or something similar in tone and build quality. I wish this model had an internal
trimpot like some of the other Hartman pedals. It definately helps me make music. Can't imagine NOT having a good fuzz pedal on my
board. I would indeed be "bored".

I got it built into my blue Dunlop FF casing. Because of that, there is no bias knob. Took a look under the hood to find a cap across two of the resistors. I know the value (of the cap) but I cant let the cat out of the bag. There are two knobs: Volume and Fuzz. It's easy to park the knobs and get a good sound. BUT, there is a setting that just makes me smile. Volume at 12 o'clock and Fuzz at 4 o'clock. WOW!

With the setting indicated above, I'm the closest I'll ever get to EJ's Fuzz>Dumble tone from the ACL DVD. The fuzz is smooth (very Ge like), in the sense that it isn't harsh or "ice-picky" or "sticky" (if that makes any sense). A better explanation would be: "All the character of an Si fuzz and none of the harshness." The part of the rig with this FF goes like this: USA '57 strat reissue> A/B BOX> Hartman FF> TS808 Reissue (went through a lot of them to find a good one!)> Hot Rod Deville w/SIB Mr. Echo in the loop (used to be 4x10's but changed to two (2) greenbacks and KT-66's). The only noise is 60 cycle from the strat (but I knew that going in!). The pedal itself is very quiet. If it's being judged on the sound/tone as an Si fuzz,
I would be lying if I didn't give an honest 10!

Since I got it back in the mail, I haven't gig'ed another fuzz. This casing is sturdy and the electronics/soldering are beautiful. I don't foresee it going down any time in the future (knock on wood!). As for the backup, I don't take one, though I have a PNP FF that I love (it looks to be unmodded and I found it on ebay), though it's a totally different animal.

I bought the unmodified blue Dunlop FF off of ebay, and it was muddy as the dickens. It was inarticulate, unidimensional, and just unappealing. I came across clips of Theo's FF copy and was impressed. I dropped him an email and sent of the FF to him to get a set of NKT-275 transistors put in. He did the mods and also recommended the Hendrix mod (it pulls more gain out of the second transistor, kinda like an overdrive makes the clipping more Si like). Something must have happened in transit (Theo thoroughly tests his pedals before they're sent out), when I got it home, and plugged in, I couldn't get it up to unity volume or any noticeable amount of fuzz. Disappointed, I returned it back into the shipping box and put it aside. After cleaning out my music area some SIX MONTHS LATER, I came across the box with the FF. Wondering what to do about it, I wrote Theo. He said to send it back to him, so I did. Corresponding over the following weeks, Theo decides that the best thing would be to pull the old PCB and put in one of his own. He even asked if it would be alright to replace it, (free of charge!). Hoping that I wasn't pressing my luck, I asked if he could install the Si PCB instead. Theo was kind enough to, and I haven't gigged another fuzz since. He even cracked a joke about not having unity volume problems anymore ;). What a great guy, CUSTOMER SUPPORT/SERVICE through the ceiling.

Cant say enough kind things about Theo and this experience. Theo, if you're reading, thanks a million!

I play in a jazz trio (archtop/upright/jazz kit), but also took a liking to early fusion (Mahavishnu Orchestra/John McLaughlin, Bill Connors w/ Return To Forever etc.), and artists like Eric Johnson,. This fuzz is a GREAT match for the heavier fusion/Hendrix stuff, and for instant feedback on the archto'p! I've only been playing for the last 18+ years or so. My other gear includes: more FF's, a wah or two, TS808 Reissue, SIB Mr. Echo's, Xotic AC booster, the aforementioned HR Deville, EH Frequency Analyzer Ring Modulator. Guitar-wise it's the '57 strat reisssue, a Gretsch G3900 Synchromatic w/ a Bigsby, a Memphis 335 copy, and an EBMM Axis. I'd have to say that this is the closest I'll ever get to EJ's Dumble/Fuzz Face tone, I LOVE IT! If it were lost or stolen, I'd be upset, then sad, then track the guy down take back the pedal and call the cops. If I couldn't find it (god forbid), it would give me a chance to try/buy the BC108 fuzz with the Bias knob. Honestly, I feel like I get closer to actualizing the fuzz-oriented ideas in my head using this pedal. It's a rush!

3 knobs, pretty easy. Didn't get a manual.. Didn't really need one. Information is on the site.

I'm using an american strat with a seymour duncan P90 in the bridge, delta tone (stock) in the middle and a texas special in the neck > various pedals > '64 fender tremolux head and 2x12 avatar cab.

This pedal does an amazing 'echos' tone from pink floyd's meddle album. It's that thick angry fuzz that Theo describes as feeding back within its self. For what it does, it's great. Smoldering fuzz.

I must admit, and this may have been because I didn't do something right, but I couldn't get that band of gypsies tone out of this pedal. Take a look at my gear though, I think a marshall has a great deal to do with it.

This is an excellent recreation of vintage silicon fuzz.

Seems thick as a brick to me.

Between analog man and robert keeley, I thought the business couldn't get better(they are really great at customer service), but Theo Hartman gave me the most in depth answers to my questions and beared with my lack of knowledge of fuzz pedals. A 10 without a doubt.

I ended up trying out both the silicon and the germanium pedals of Theo's, but neither of them was what I was looking for. Theo Hartman let me exchange the first and return the second. This was over a period of a few weeks. I had no problems and he was extremely helpful and kind throughout the whole process.

Thanks Theo.

I play all styles of music, from blues to funk to country to just about anything including a guitar. I found this pedal to be a great match for late 60s early 70s pink floyd. It does it well, but that's not the only tone I'm after. This is a great organic fuzz, don't get me wrong, but with mysetup it's just not what I'm after.