Vox releases Vintage-inspired Germanium sounding VTB-1 Treble Booster and VFZ-1 MK 1.5 Fuzz - utilising BC108 transistors

So this is a cool recent project from Vox - which purports to be Vintage-inspired and Germanium sounding - but utilising BC108 vintage silicon metal can transistors.

Interestingly the BC108 is the more aggressive Type II Fuzz Face variant, where it’s typically the Type III BC183 or 2N3904 transistor that is the most Germanium sound-alike one.

Evidently Vox have used a supporting cast of components to add the more softer Germanium style of grit to what is a fairly distinct and high gain transistor. I’m rather fascinated that they have used a BC108 rather than say a BC183. Most typically when you encounter Germanium-sounding Silicon transistors - they tend to be BC183’s.

The VTB-1 Treble Booster variant seems like a very simple take on a Treble Booster - with central Boost / Range sweep knob, and then a further Fat toggle switch.

The MK 1.5 is somewhat more expansive with a 4-knob / 5 x controls topology :

VFZ-1 Controls - Volume, Fuzz, Tone Cut, Bass Cut, Crunch / Fuzz Voicing toggle-switch.

Both devices are very elegantly style in a gold-accented black vintage style of enclosure.

And each of these devices is incredibly well priced at just £115 / circa $150.

I may go for both of these eventually - while the Fuzz is the more appealing take here. I own several VTB and Tone Bender MK 1.5 variants - so I don’t exactly need another. While at this low price - both of those are something of a bargain.

Available now from the Vox Webstore and at leading dealers - including Andertons in the UK!