MXR M116 Fullbore Metal

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$89.10 to $125.99 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (71)

2 Critic Reviews

17 Reviews

Find out who is using MXR M116 Fullbore

9 community setups

13 wishlisted

150 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

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4.0 (55)

$125.99

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4.5 (48)

$125.99

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4.4 (326)

$125.99 New

$110.87 Used (Like New)

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5.0 (46)

$89.10 61 available New

$49.95 41 available Used

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4.0 (77)

$125.99

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5.0 (7)

$125.99

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4.5 (170)

$125.00

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Average Price: $112

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, MXR M116 Fullbore Metal is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "MXR M116 Fullbore Metal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the true potential of your guitar with the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal distortion pedal. This compact yet potent piece of gear turbocharges your guitar signal with lethal amounts of ultrahigh gain, taking your tone from mild overdrive to devastating metal distortion.

The pedal features a built-in Noise Gate to knock out noise, providing added definition to syncopated riffs and shredding solos. Adjust the gate's sensitivity to your liking with the internal Gate Threshold control.

The 3-band EQ with sweepable midrange frequencies allows you to shape your tone with surgical precision. The Scoop switch gives you the ability to boost the lows and highs, creating rumbling bass, sizzling highs, and cutting mids.

Despite its formidable power, the Fullbore Metal is designed to be rugged and compact, with an all-analog signal path for authentic tone. True bypass switching ensures your tone remains pure when the pedal is off, and its small footprint saves you precious pedalboard real estate.

Key Features:

High-gain distortion for devastating metal tones
Built-in Noise Gate for eliminating unwanted noise
3-band EQ with sweepable mid frequencies for precise tone shaping
Scoop switch for boosting lows and highs
All-analog signal path for authentic tone
True bypass switching for uncolored tone when off
Compact and rugged design for durability and ease of use on the road.

Product specs

Pedal Type	Distortion
Analog/Digital	Analog
Inputs	1 x 1/4"
Outputs	1 x 1/4"
Bypass Switching	True Hardwire
EQ	3-band EQ with Midrange Control
Power Source	9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Batteries	1 x 9V
Power Usage	18mA
Height	2.12" (including knobs)
Width	2.62" (including jacks)
Depth	4.37"
Weight	0.54 lbs.

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal?: The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal delivers aggressive, high-gain distortion suitable for metal and hard rock genres. It provides a tight, focused sound with a powerful low end and sharp highs, ideal for heavy riffing and solos.
Does the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal work well with both tube and solid-state amps?: Yes, the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal is designed to work well with both tube and solid-state amplifiers, offering consistent, high-gain distortion and tonal control across different amp types.
How does the 3-band EQ on the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal affect its sound shaping capabilities?: The 3-band EQ with midrange control on the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal allows precise tonal shaping, enabling you to adjust the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies to tailor your sound for different musical styles and amp settings.
Is the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal suitable for live performances?: Yes, the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal is suitable for live performances, featuring true hardwire bypass for clear signal integrity and a compact, durable design that fits easily on pedalboards.
What power supply is required for the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal?: The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, which is sold separately, or it can be powered by a 9V battery for convenient use on the go.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion

ProGuitarShopDemos

WILL IT CHUG? - MXR FULLBORE

Ola Englund

MXR Fullbore Metal

jimdunlopusa

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal Video Demo

tunnelvisionmusic

MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Can of bees, or killer tone? | MXR Fullbore Metal Guitar Pedal

Taylor Danley

Pedal Vault – MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Preamp Distortion Pedal review

Dome

MXR FULLBORE METAL DISTORTION

The Pedal Picassos

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal | DEMO

Anson Music Malaysia

MXR Fullbore Metal Pedal Demo - NO TALKING

Sandy Ridge Music

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional high gain and distortion for metal and hard rock
Built-in noise gate effectively minimizes hiss and noise
Highly versatile with adjustable mids, offering a wide range of tones
Preserves pick attack, delivering a sharp, precise sound
Durable construction typical of MXR pedals
Works well with both humbucker and single coil pickups
LEDs for noise gate and scoop function indicators enhance usability
Offers a broader tonal palette compared to other metal pedals
Can achieve the tones of iconic metal bands and guitarists
Easy to dial in a variety of metal subgenres, from thrash to industrial

CONS

Internal adjustment of noise gate can be inconvenient
Scoop and Gate buttons feel flimsy, raising durability concerns
Some users find the sound too digital or glitchy for their taste
High gain might be overwhelming for some players
Treble can be excessively sharp, requiring careful EQ adjustment
Not ideal for achieving warm, subtle distortion tones
Can be too treble-heavy, lacking in mids without adjustment
Noise gate adjustment requires opening the pedal, which is not user-friendly
May not suit non-metal genres well, limited versatility outside heavy music
Some users experience ear fatigue from the intense sound profile

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about MXR M116 Fullbore Metal.

Features and functionality

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The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal includes a built-in noise gate, which can be useful for managing unwanted noise in high-gain settings.
Source
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To avoid a "can of bees" sound, users recommend turning the treble nearly all the way down and adjusting upper mid frequencies with the middle frequency knob.
Source

Use cases and applications

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Some users effectively use the Fullbore Metal as an HM-2 inspired booster into other drive pedals, achieving unique, aggressive tones.
Source
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With the right EQ adjustments, the pedal can emulate tones reminiscent of Dimebag Darrell and Type O Negative, especially when combined with effects like a Boss chorus.
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The Fullbore Metal works well for thrash, black, and death metal, especially with active pickups like Schecter Demon Witch and a Marshall amp.
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The Fullbore Metal is praised for effectively delivering Pantera-style tones, making it a strong choice for fans of that sound.
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Some users note that while the Mooer Blacknight excels in Van Halen-esque overdrive, it lacks the heavy metal edge provided by the Fullbore Metal.
Source

Comparisons

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The EQ controls on the Fullbore Metal are noted to be less finicky than those on the Boss Metal Zone, requiring careful tweaking for optimal sound.
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While the Fullbore Metal is budget-friendly and suitable for metal genres, the Amptweaker Tight Metal is preferred if budget allows due to better performance.
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The Fullbore Metal is likened to a less controversial Boss Metal Zone, focusing on delivering maximum distortion without aiming for a tube-like or amp-like sound.
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User experience

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One user experienced the Fullbore Metal as capable of producing tones similar to a 1x2 black EVH amp, especially when paired with an MXR 6-band EQ.
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Some users find the scoop button on the Fullbore Metal rarely gets used, suggesting it may not be essential for all playing styles.
Source

Critic Reviews

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal Review - Metal Guitar Gear

metalguitargear.com

The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal excels in delivering high-gain metal distortion, making it ideal for metal enthusiasts. Its robust build and compact size are perfect for gigging, while the responsive three-band EQ offers versatile sound shaping. However, its excessive gain can be overwhelming, limiting its use outside of metal genres. It may not pair well with all amps, and some users report white noise issues. Despite these drawbacks, if face-melting metal tones are your goal, the Fullbore Metal is hard to beat, but steer clear if you need versatility beyond the metal realm.

positive

Full Review

M116 Fullbore Metal Review: If you like playing newer modern metal that is super chuggy/djenty... | MXR | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal pedal is a formidable choice for metal enthusiasts, offering a wide array of high-gain tones and a crucial noise gate feature. Its sound versatility is praised, especially for sculpting aggressive distortion on clean amp channels or boosting high-gain amps. While its bright lights and durable build make it reliable for live performances, the mid scoop function and EQ settings enhance its sonic flexibility. However, it may not suit those seeking subtle, boutique tones. Overall, it's a robust pedal for heavy modern and classic rock players alike.

positive

Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 17 Reviews and 71 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

theinkdemon

309

almost 2 years ago

No words.

Some may know my BOSS MT-2 pedal unfortunately stopped working earlier this year, so I saved up to buy an MXR M116. And, this pedal has everything I need! I can set the tone just how I like it, and it’ll be perfect all the way through. Cheers!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Vol, Freq, and Gain all around 1 o’clock. Low around 10, Mid around 11, and cut pretty much all High.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Stage & Screen Alternative rock

deathreaper

108

over 3 years ago

excellent distortion

good pedal I really like its distortion, that is if you have to know how to equalize both the pedal and the amplifier

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Metal Thrash metal Death metal

From Gear Setup

computerguru

133

almost 4 years ago

Excellent product

Has a very heavy tone. Its my go to pedal for sure. I love this pedal.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Gain at 10, mid scooped noise gate on everything half way.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Jazz

jackao

165

over 7 years ago

Perfect for heavy metal lead

Perfect Pedal for lead guitar parts in songs, also works with rhythm guitar, but it shines its best on lead. Very crunchy and heavy, so not for those with little gain. This pedal is far better than I expected.

gsminer16

263

almost 10 years ago

METAL

I've always loved this distortion pedal. You can dial in a lot of different tones. I had 5 stars for a long time, but then I bought the MXR Dime Distortion pedal, I like it much better. So now, Fullbore Metal may be sitting on the shelf more often.

Roles:

Guitarist

darrenclewes

126

about 9 years ago

Huge amounts of gain

A pedal with a frightening amount of gain and really usable controls. I used to use a metal zone but the USABLE tonal range wasn;t as great as with the Fullbore.

Still a bit of a one trick pony, but that's kind of the point I guess.

slypero

417

over 7 years ago

Best metal/industrial distortion

This is the best industrial/Metal distortion available, and it has a noise gate included.

slypero

417

7 years ago over 7 years ago

The only thing is you can't expect an 80's distortion with this

rock_god43

111

almost 9 years ago

Heaviest distortion I've ever heard

I use this for every recording I've ever done. The distortion is nasty and bites hard, but the coolest feature is the noise gate, which cancels literally ANY sound that would come out of the amp.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Metal

theloop

109

about 7 years ago

Lots of treble, but it's nice.

There is quite a bit of treble on this thing, but if you dial the knobs in just right, and the louder your amp is, this thing sounds killer!

thegreatbeast666

about 8 years ago

Not too shabby a distortion

Good solid pedal, looks cool, doesn't sound too bad. Bit too much treble and not enough mids for my liking, would be good for the sort of idiot who would scoop their mids