The MXR Fullbore Metal is an MXR distortion pedal, currently around $89.99. Close alternatives include the ISP Technologies Distortion and the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive. It pairs well with the Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp and the Mesa Boogie Mark I.
MXR Fullbore Metal
MXR · pedal
The MXR Fullbore Metal is a high-gain metal distortion pedal from MXR by Jim Dunlop, model number M116. It delivers extreme saturation suited to modern metal and heavy rock styles, featuring a three-band EQ with a sweepable midrange frequency control and a Scoop switch that simultaneously boosts the low and high frequencies while scooping the midrange for the signature modern metal frequency curve. A built-in, switchable noise gate controls the high-gain noise floor between notes. Despite the metal-specific branding, the M116 has been found useful for high-gain hard rock, stoner rock, and heavily driven lead tones outside the strict metal context.
- metal
- noise gate
- eq
- scoop
- noise
- frequency
- high gain
- saturation
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the MXR Fullbore Metal is commonly used in
- Metal
- Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Stoner Rock
- Hard Rock
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the MXR Fullbore Metal
Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp
Laney
29% matchLaney RB3 Richter Bass Amp pushes a scooped tone toward mid-forward
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
28% matchFeed a scooped signal into Mesa Boogie Mark I and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Peavey 112-6 1x12
Peavey
tonal matchStack Peavey 112-6 1x12 on top and a scooped tone tightens toward mid-forward
Roland Cube Street EX
Roland
tonal matchFeed a scooped signal into Roland Cube Street EX and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger Legacy 212 pushes a scooped tone toward mid-forward
Ceriatone HRM 50
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone HRM 50 pushes a scooped tone toward mid-forward
Phil Jones BG-400 Suitcase Compact Bass Combo
Phil Jones
tonal matchFeed a scooped signal into Phil Jones BG-400 Suitcase Compact Bass Combo and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Ceriatone Overtone Special HRM Bluesmaster 50
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone Overtone Special HRM Bluesmaster 50 takes that scooped character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Pedals that stack with the MXR Fullbore Metal
Browne Amplification Gritador
Browne Amplification
27% matchBrowne Amplification Gritador takes that scooped character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic
pedal
25% matchStack Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer Classic on top and a scooped tone tightens toward mid-forward
Maestro Orbit
Maestro
20% matchMaestro Orbit's modulated voice goes after MXR Fullbore Metal in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR Fullbore Metal's own scooped character
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro
Pigtronix
16% matchWhat Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone Micro brings here leans toward sustaining — that's worth building a pairing around
Catalinbread Epoch-Set
Catalinbread
11% matchCatalinbread Epoch-Set's warm voice goes after MXR Fullbore Metal in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with MXR Fullbore Metal's own scooped character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
pedal
11% matchKeep Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb after MXR Fullbore Metal in the signal chain, clear of MXR Fullbore Metal's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Browne Amplification Gritador Classic Overdrive
Browne Amplification
tonal matchBrowne Amplification Gritador Classic Overdrive takes that scooped character and pushes it toward mid-forward
Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Junior
Cry Baby
tonal matchFeed a scooped signal into Cry Baby Dunlop Cry Baby Junior and it comes out closer to mid-forward
Cheaper alternatives
Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost
Electro-Harmonix
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, distortion, metal
Behringer HM300
Behringer
73% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise, hard_rock
NuX Drive Force
Nux
73% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise_gate, crunch
NUX Metal Core Deluxe
Nux
73% similarityShared character: noise_gate, hard_rock, high_gain_settings
Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion
Behringer
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise, hard_rock
Donner Extreme Driver
Donner
72% similarityShared character: hard_rock, high_gain_settings, distortion
Boutique & premium upgrades
Amptweaker Tight Metal
Amptweaker
74% similarityShared character: noise_gate, high_gain_settings, hard_rock
Amptweaker Tight Rock 2
Amptweaker
74% similarityShared character: noise_gate, hard_rock, high_gain_settings
Crazy Tube Circuits Motherload
Crazy Tube Circuits
74% similarityShared character: hard_rock, noise, lead
Carl Martin Heavy Drive
Carl Martin
74% similarityShared character: hard_rock, noise, lead
Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra Blackout
Catalinbread
73% similarityShared character: noise_gate, high_gain_settings, noise
Wampler Dracarys
Wampler
73% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise_gate, noise
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
ISP Technologies Distortion
Isp Technologies
77% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise_gate, noise
MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive
MXR
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise_gate, hard_rock
Dean Markley Overlord
Dean Markley
74% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, noise_gate, noise
ENO EX-Inferno
Eno
73% similarityShared character: hard_rock, high_gain_settings, distortion
Boss MT-2w
Mt 2w
72% similarityShared character: noise, high_gain_settings, hard_rock
Behringer VT999 Vintage Tube Monster
Behringer
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the MXR Fullbore Metal (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the MXR Fullbore Metal?+
The closest matches in character are the ISP Technologies Distortion, the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive, the Dean Markley Overlord. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Micro Metal Muff TOP Boost, Behringer HM300, NuX Drive Force. Boutique upgrades: Amptweaker Tight Metal, Amptweaker Tight Rock 2, Crazy Tube Circuits Motherload.
What pairs well with the MXR Fullbore Metal?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp, Mesa Boogie Mark I, Peavey 112-6 1x12 — Laney RB3 Richter Bass Amp pushes a scooped tone toward mid-forward.
How much does the MXR Fullbore Metal cost?+
Around $89.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).