Finally! Axis Fuzz vs Dunlop Band of Gypsys Fuzz - Hendrix Tone Comparison!

[@passionfunpractice]

Amazingly informative! Thanks for the killer video!

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for your great feedback ✌️🎸

[@JDStone20]

Oh man! I have been waiting for this video! And thank you for playing "Ezy Ryder", I always wanted to play that song, I have it in a tab book, it is one of my favorites! Looks like I have a new song to practice! Thank you so much Mikel!

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for your feedback ✌️🎸 Ezy Ryder is a hidden champion for sure 👍

[@RIPROCK54]

Another great video. Don't stop!

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks a lot ✌️🎸

[@mattragan1142]

Another in your line of super appreciated, ultra informative videos - beautifully done, and as usual it kept me fully riveted.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks so much for you motivational words ✌️🎸☮️

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

the RM axis sounds a lot more like Jimis tone to me. Ive owned the Dunlop red BOG fuzz about 3 times, and although its a decent distortion/fuzz unit, it just doesnt have the transparency to make me think it sounds like anything Jimi ever used. I tend to believe Roger Mayer when he says his Axis Fuzz circuit was used by Jimi towards the end of his career. The Dunlop BOG seems to me to be just something Dunlop cooked up to complete their range and sell to undiscerning later Jimi tone chasers

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts ✌️

[@kirillprilepko394]

Great video as always, Mikel! 👍

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks so much ✌️🎸

[@billtice5057]

Another fantastic video! 👏

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks a lot ✌️🎸

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Mikel and also happy first day of October ❤😊

[@geirmagnusknardahl5889]

Hi Mikel - another excellent and highly informative video. Your systematic and very precise presentation, along with excellent sound and video quality really is appreciated! I have the Sabbadius fillmore east tiny vibe and the RM axis fuzz running into a Marshall JTM 20 combo (Marshall ST20C), and while the rig is fairly new to me, I find two things: 1) The RM axis fuzz is very bright - too bright to re-create credible BOG sounds - even while running through the normal channel on the amp. And 2) The tone is too fuzzy/too much 'woosh' sound through the oscillation when run with the tiny vibe. Cranking the amp in combination with the tiny vibe's preamp does help, but I have better success (to my ears at least) with running a dunlop hendrix signature fuzz face (turquoise one) in combination with a bluesbreaker OD pedal after the vibe. This brings me closer to that high e, 17th fret bend on machine gun (best guitar note ever played btw). The problem with this setup is that rolling the guitar volume down doesn't clean up as nicely as when running the axis fuzz alone. So I'm considering other fuzzes to bring me closer to the BOG sound - and the dunlop BOG fuzz is tempting as it includes a tone control. What are your thoughts? Again many thanks, and keep these excellent vidoes coming!

[@MikelBluni]

Played an ST20 with my Axis Fuzz, yesterday. I could get all facets of sounds, BOG tones included. I have to mention though I was running the High Treble Channel on 9 in the high power mode! That might be what the Axis needs to work probably. The Dunlop BOG is definitely warmer. Just try it ✌️🎸☮️

[@leeyoungun]

Awesome video! Hard to say which I liked better. Both have their place as you said.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks man ✌️ Indeed I’m thinking of adding the BOG permanently as a second Fuzz on my board 🎸☮️

[@johnpierson8398]

Cool video! I am amazed at how good the Dunlop Fuzz sounds! For the cost, it is quite good. But I definitely prefer the Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz. It is smoother and sounds more like Jimi's tones. Question, are these both Germanium transistor fuzz pedals?

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks my friend. Both pedals a silicon based ✌️🎸

[@CorbCorbin]

Look, if Germanium is what gets you there, use it. But, Jimi never used a germanium circuit again, after Mayer found the BC108 Silicon transistor, in early 1967. Jimi only used germanium on the first album, and live, until early 67’. He used many, many different mlds of that same BC108 transistor circuit. In the studio, he put buffers and tubes in everything, to get more gain when Jimi wanted it. For live use, he kept making different mods, to get as much gain as possible, while keeping the glassy cleanup, that those transistors are so good at. I’ve been using the KingTone MiniFuzz, which has a Silicon and Germanium circuit, so one can choose which they want you to use, with a Bias control, and dip switches to change how it takes wah, and works with other pedals, as well as on its own. The JHF1 is what I’d use for just Jimi cover show, but the KingTone is the first of many, many Fuzz Faces I’ve had, that I immediately felt like it could replace it. Others have different issues, or just do one thing well. I’ve had the Analogman NKT275 White and Red Dot pedals, and they can sound great, but I was always having to play with the bias control, and sometimes it just wouldn’t sound good, no matter how I set them. I e tried his others, including a BC108, but his just didn’t get the same glassy cleanup with my Strat, that even the JHF1 has. I eventually sold or traded these pedals, once the prices were insane, because they weren’t worth the money to me, and I got a new amp, with some money, trading one. Still use the amp.

[@muffinman1978]

Excellent stuff again. I have Axis and both small and big BOG fuzzes.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks ✌️ Do you detect a difference between the two? I had taken the big box…but no chance to get one anymore ✌️🎸

[@muffinman1978]

@@MikelBluni - I think they sound the same. I'd like to see a video of Jim Dunlop Jimi Hendrix pedals. Starting from the 90's. Those circuits were different than what they later made. One round fuzz, then one black box, red box and black octavio. They are ok on their own but they are not what Jimi had. I think they even had a univibe back in 90's but that is rare as hens teeth.

[@sgmarshall3]

The Villanova Junction tone is my favorite Jimi tone. He absolutely nailed it at Woodstock. Such a beautiful song

[@ImprovGuitarJams]

Nice comparison, I've owned the red BOG white knob pedal, its a good box, I've also had the early 90's Dunlop FF which was much fuzzier, never the privilege on playing or owning an Axis but that seems like a great pedal. All in all, one thing that always stuck with me was something the owner of the music store I spend a lot of time in said, no matter how much people try, only Jimi was Jimi, so you can get all the same gear and come close, but Jimi's tone, feel, and soul came from him, no one can truly replicate that.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for sharing ✌️ The music shop’s owner was a wise man 👍☮️🎸💯

[@ImprovGuitarJams]

@@MikelBluni very true, and ironically the place is called "The Music Shop"

[@pearlblues]

Just the video I wanted to see! ...I use an Axis but have been thinking of the BOG lately. BOG sounds nearer to me... Thank you!

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for your feedback. It’s definitely a nice Fuzz, a little over the top with the volume and gain, but it should work cool with your Fender amp ✌️🎸🎸🎸

[@pearlblues]

@@MikelBluni I hope so... definitely gonna have to get one!

[@amalgamaudioLV]

Returning for comparison to this video. The clearer midrange and more pronounced high end on the Axis sounds much closer to those late Jimi sounds for sure. What year is your Axis Fuzz? Are the current space-ship shaped ones the same as yours, in case you know? Sounds spot on to me for that stuff.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks. Mine is from around 1980. I guess Roger didn’t change the receipt for these rocket Fuzzes ✌️🎸

[@amalgamaudioLV]

@@MikelBluni Thanks for the quick reply! Just bought one online. Also looking into the Castledine Olympic Fuzz - have you ever come across one of those?

[@waynegram8907]

The Dunlop BOG Fuzz has two different versions the 68 version and 69 version. The CLEAN UP can make it sound more like a tube screamer overdrive because the BOG circuit is based on that olympic preamp console so I think Roger Mayer added in the tone control because this is what the olympic preamp console had. I'm not sure if the Dunlop 68 version is germanium and the 69 version is silicon or a hybrid of silicon/germanium, its something you should look into. What I have notice is that on the hendrix 70's songs and laters vinyl albums that were made after his death in the 70's that it sounds like he is using mostly the Dunlop BOG fuzz with tone control if you listen to the albums crash landing, midnight lightning, War Heroes, Loose Ends, Cry of Love album hendrix is really using mostly the Olympic preamp console pedal which the Dunlop BOG fuzz + tone control is doing. The strat volume pot rolled back for the CLEAN UP has more of an overdrive tube screamer tone, you have to turned down the FUZZ control lower but this is what hendrix was going for on his later 70's songs clean up tones was that olympic preamp console. Try to get those 70's hendrix albums and get both dunlop 68 version and 69 version to make a video lesson how to get those olympic preamp console tones using the dunlop BOG pedal to get those hendrix late 70's tones.

[@MikelBluni]

Very well analyzed and observed - thanks for that Wayne ✌️ I really dig the BOG a lot, but it has so much gain on top….I had the Fuzz level way down. It’s kinda sad, because this fact makes it a little inflexible ☹️ However, I also think it pictures Jimi’s later tone pretty well ✌️🎸

[@waynegram8907]

@@MikelBluni Use the BOG with the Tone control turned to the bassy side, the BOG fuzz turned down between 0-3, use the strat volume pot rolled back also. Also you can use the strats TONE pot rolled down using this BOG in this settings = RED HOUSE tone. The BOG is pretty much close to the olympic preamp circuit but it isn't a HYBRID transistor like the olympic but its close to it. When rolling back the strats volume pot on a fuzz face = CLEAN UP, when rolling back the strats volume pot on a BOG/olympic preamp pedal = OFF CLEAN tone ( not clean up), There is a big difference between Clean up tone and Off Clean tone which Hendrix used both on the First hendrix experience album also. Listen to Hey Joe because this is that OFF clean tone with the strat tone control rolled down get to that Fat blues tone. Try to make a video lesson about this. CLICK here kzbin.info/www/bejne/lajLemyjZbh5r9U

[@mattwall1090]

@@waynegram8907 What the hell are you guys talking about? lol! Seems like a lot of opinions and conclusions just drawn as to what fuzz circuit was actually inside the BOG era red Fuzz Face enclosure with white knobs, designed by Roger Mayer. I watched another video on @MikelBluni 's channel on the history of Jimi's fuzz pedals, and he clearly says in the video that Roger Mayer himself has said on numerous occasions that the white knob Fuzz Face enclosure was an AXIS fuzz, I'm confused...so why compare the 2? Also, Dunlop also advertises the Band of Gypsys Fuzz Faces as a modified Octavia circuit without the upper octave section, and I have heard this many times as well, which is NOT at all an Axis Fuzz circuit or an olympic preamp...Pls explain? You are now saying he used this circuit Roger designed based on an Olympic Preamp with a tone knob and there are 2 versions??? (I've never ever seen Hendrix use a fuzz with more than 2 controls - The Dunlop Hendrix line just added the tone control to the original limited design in the Auth. Hendrix JHM8 and shrine series, and is still the modded octavia circuit, so a bit unsure as to what the reference is there and how it relates to the BOG Fuzz Face enclosure elusive fuzz) Honestly I think you guys don't have an honest clue what he used in that White Knob Fuzz Face, and you're just drawing a bunch of contradicting conclusions with non-credible info, is what it seems like.

[@mattwall1090]

Does anyone really know any of this is fact that has spoke to Roger Mayer himself on the matter? If not, you guys just kinda just sound like a couple know it all's that do not really know, ya know? A lot of rumours and hearsay on this fuzz really.

[@waynegram8907]

@@mattwall1090 The RED Fuzzface with WHITE knobs its completely different than the 3 knob dunlop version. The RED fuzzface with WHITE knobs is the BOG, the 3 knob dunlop version is called the BOG but its NOT the BOG its the olympic preamp pedal that roger mayer made in the studio in 1967 which Hendrix used on each album. Its a Hybrid of germanium and silicon transistors which the circuit is based on the BOG (without the octavia ) plus the EQ tones. I have no idea why Dunlop is calling the 3 control version a BOG but its really the olympic preamp version on Dunlops engineers of what they did with it. Its a Poor Mans version of an olympic preamp console. Don't get confused about the same BOG its just confuses people because its not the same as the RED fuzz face with white knobs BOG, makes sense now?

[@markhilbert6573]

To my ears the Mayer sounds more open and hendrixier. The other one sounds more compressed.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for sharing ✌️ The Axis breathes a lot more, but the BOG has its own kind of charm going on 🎸🤩

[@leonardo.rafael]

Nice comparison, thank you. I am fan of old pedals and thought I would like more Mayer’s, but not. I found it a little muddier, while the BOG more “sweeter” maybe because it has just a little more mid-highs. Indeed they both sound nice. I dont have any of them, but never have to roll back the fuzz knob to get really clean tones from my fuzzes. Maybe its because I use a Vibroverb clone amp.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks my friend ✌️ The BOG has tons of gain so keeping the Fuzz very very low is substantial to this Fuzz 🎸☮️

[@ProChinvo]

I have always wondered this as an owner of the BOG Fuzz. Have you tried sabbadius new JIMI Fuzz? Great video✌️✌️

[@jeffreylazzarinisr7419]

Nice vid as always. Settings on the BOG please? Thank you!

[@MikelBluni]

You can see the setting in the video 😉

[@JDStone20]

What do you think would be a good substitution for either the Roger Mayer Axis Fuzz or the Dunlop BOG Fuzz? I think that if you can find a Big Muff style fuzz that cleans up, you get in the ball park, or even just the Fuzz Face can get close enough with the right settings. What do you think?

[@MikelBluni]

The sound were at talking about is very distinctive and I haven’t played a Fuzz that could substitute the Axis. The BOG is also particular…a normal FF gets you in another direction ✌️☮️

[@JDStone20]

@@MikelBluni Ok, thank you. I have a germanium FF and a silicon FF, looks like i need to get a BOG/Axis fuzz also. I read somewhere that the Axix/BOG fuzz was actually the fuzz part of the Ocavia with the octave part removed. What do you think about that?

[@Gimi.Endrics]

Based on listening, they are both excellent fuzz pedals

[@MikelBluni]

Indeed - two pretty cool pedals ✌️🎸 If I was Dunlop I would definitely adjust the range of the pots…

[@Gimi.Endrics]

@@MikelBluni I would like to see a video about your opinion of the Dunlop Band of Gypsys Mini Fuzz Face FFM6

[@amalgamaudioLV]

Great comparison, playing and tones! What wah are you using?

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks. You might wanna check this video for my equipment ✌️🎸 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4W7eZSGp8t_msksi=gA6Tyo9DBrKN_B3V

[@NaturalIntensity69]

I've heard the axis cleans up more trebly, i don't think these two fuzzes are all that different though. I've also heard that Castledines Olympic fuzz sounds vastly closer to that original axis fuzz and than rogers newer models. Would've been cool also to compare some axis album tones on this video, what i'm learning is you more than the fuzz you need that jtm45 to get the sound.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks ✌️🎸 I currently have a point to point handwired JTM45 at home for testing and some Axis album sounds in the pipeline 👍 But I can definitely say that the BOG won’t get there…it covers a different territory in my opinion 🎸🤩

[@johnb4024]

​@@MikelBluniI felt the same way and I sold my Dunlop.

[@ABCDEF-ks5op]

killer

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks ✌️🎸

[@darrenc8776]

I've got the B.O.G small fuzz unit. It's great, but it takes a bit of tweeking to get it to clean up.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for mentioning. That’s the point where it falls short to me, when you go for Jimi’s Sound on basis of an amp at slight breakup. Unless you turn the gain down almost completely…. There is no real clean up ✌️🎸

[@mattwall1090]

For a nicer less muddy clean up sound at higher fuzz levels on the Dunlop BOG -Try it with a treble bleed installed on your guitars volume pot, to retain the high frequencies more and even the rolloff taper. I use the kinman treble bleed with a .001uf cap and 120k resistor in series between the input and output lugs on the volume pot. (Note: if you add a treble bleed and try to use a typical Fuzz Face though, now the cleanup will most likely sound to brittle, so have to choose one or the other. I find the treble bleed and BOG combo works best for me, even for retaining highs with amp gain rolloff and other drive pedal applications)

[@bradsmith7311]

Just one barstool analyst,Hendrix often had an abrasive and ragged tone.think about it,Strat single coils into a fuzz into a loud plexi.sometimes it was glorious and inspiring and many others it was microphonic,collapsed and well kinda sucked compared to say Clapton"s Becks,or Page's,Kossoff's tone of the same era.not hating on Jimi just an honest assessment.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts ✌️🎸

[@bradsmith7311]

@MikelBluni thanks for posting this ,again I dig the whole concept of Hendrix....I am a tuning gestapo and tone addict and life long guitar/amp enthusiast

[@MikelBluni]

@@bradsmith7311 That’s cool my friend 🎸💯✌️☮️

[@Stuart68-s6f]

One day could you make a lesson on how to play Easy Ryder...if possible ,

[@MikelBluni]

Yeah, why not ✌️🎸

[@shay6gal4]

In this video at least to my ears - they sound almost the same. Certainly blindfold I couldn't make the difference. I don't know if it's only the fuzz circuit he used but definitly the late 69 to early 70 is the best live sound Hendrix had (Woodstock and BOG are great documatation of that). In the second half of 70 - Berkely onwards - it tends to be to compressed when he turns the guitar volume all the way.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for your estimation. In certain parts they sound almost identical, the feel is a bit different though ✌️🎸

[@TheAntman1265]

Both nice but the Mayer sounds better.

[@justinchurch]

If you can find one…you should try out the Sabbadius JIMI Fuzz. It’s amazing! It’s the same as the RM Axis circuit, but sounds even better IMO. Cheers and thanks for your making all of your great videos!!

[@CorbCorbin]

@@justinchurch How much was that one?

[@johnb4024]

I'm for Roger Mayer all the way. One thing's for sure, Jimi's never plugged into a Dunlop fuzz. Dunlop is trying to capitalize on the lack of accurate information.

[@MikelBluni]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts ✌️🎸