Section for reviews of all Fulltone pedals

FD2

I really like this pedal. It's really smooth with more bass than a TS. It's a tad icepickish, though, IMO. I like it for the studio more than for live work. The top end isn't very open, but it is a TS type clone after all. It can push an amp pretty well, too, in comp cut mode. For the price, I think it's amazing. Thick and smooth midrange and a solid bass that isn't flabby or muddy.

Choralflange

This is definitely the best chorus of its' kind...and my favorite chorus. I sold mine quite a while back looking for something better, but haven't done so. Others are good, but the CF just has a transparent quality that's appealing. The analogman is great, but not close to the same. I like a more subtle and shimmering chorus most of the time. (not a sterile type, though, like a TC) I don't like Flange, so I wouldn't ever like that part of this pedal no matter how good it is. I love the versatile chorus and the faux leslie sounds it does. Again...it's more subtle on this, too. Not like a Univibe, Rotosphere, etc. After trying different Boss'(love the CE-5), Analogman, EBS, Maxon, TC, etc....I'm going to buy another Choralflange. I'll probably hang on to the Analogman, because it can't be beat for Andy Summers type sounds. The big problem I had on this pedal was the switch. Actually, it wasn't even so much the switch...it's the rubber boot around the switch. If you accidentally kick on the switch at an angle more than a few times it will give out. No question. It catches on that boot, and breaks it somehow. It's not the switch itself, either, because I've used the Supatrem for over 2 years with the same switches, but the trem doesn't have the surrounding boot. So, when I get a new CF I will just install the heavy Fulltone switch like you see on the other models. Great pedal.

Fatboost

I didn't like this pedal for the music I play and my tonal preferences. Too congested sounding for me with a pushed amp. Even with the trim pot turned down I didn't like it. It does add some intense complexity to the tone with the trim pot cranked up, but still not for me. Definitely needs the right amp.

Supatrem

Pretty good trem. It's a little mechanical and sterile, but has some versatility for the right player. I could never find a good medium between the triangle and square wave trems on it, so I gave up after trying it for over a few years. It worked great for studio stuff, but I couldn't take advantage of the features for live stuff. I'm going to get the Pleasure trem.

FD review by CS 7th May 2002

Bought from Peach Ideas April 2001

Strat (then Tex Mex now US 57ri)AC15ri

Short version

The Fulldrive 2 is based on a Tubescreamer but with the following differences hand-made, true bypass, 2 channels (green and red), no or little bass loss, comp cut switch, a presence control and a boost knob to control the gain for the red channel. It's also currently blue in colour. There are a number of versions with the biggest difference being the 'FM mod'. This was introduced just after the blue paint job. The limited edition TR100 is orange and does not have the FM mod. This mod is easily reversible/switchable and the info is freely available here on the Toyz pedal forum. The overdrive is less aggressive than expected and can seem weak. In comp mode the sound is compressed and 'grainy' in character and comp cut mode is too clean, with only a slight break up. However get a the volume(s) on a tube amp past 6 and the pedal/amp comes alive. Using the FD2 on top of an overdriving amp is impressive. Comp cut mode really shines with the red channel providing some authoritative lead sounds.

War stories (please feel free to skip)

I had the guitar and the amp so I needed some pedals right? I started with a Marshall Bluesbreaker mkI and a DS1. I wasn’t entirely happy but they were both second hand and cheap(£25 and £35) . I lent out the BB1. I bought a Dod 250 ri on closeout which was ok. I then found a TS10 for £25. I was happy for a while but didn’t like the bass loss for rhythm. I ended up using it as a clean boost. I got a Fuzz Factory to replace the DS1 but still needed overdrive. I started to read up on the super tubescreamers. I e-mailed that very nice man Dave Barber and although polite and informative didn’t have a UK dealer or one coming. I didn't bother with Mike Fuller cos I heard all kinds of 'things'. I e-mailed Zac Vex (again) and we chatted about the SHO (it wasn’t for me). By chance I came across the tonefrenzy site with sound samples all from the same source (sorry Teddy). They had the TP and the FD2 but no TS10 so I downloaded the Bluesbreaker MKI and for a laugh the Brown Source. I mixed up the icons and put the names below the desktop and my son and I blind tested the four samples. We pulled up the winner and it was the Marshall! I got it back and it wouldn’t work with my setup. As soom as Fulltone got a dealer I went and tried one/bought one (big up to Lefty of Lefties Lounge for advice). I sold the Marshall dod and TS to friends/a soundman. At low volumes theres a gap between the FD2 and the Boss DS1 so I'm looking for an aggressive od to fill the gap.BTW I e-mailed Mike Fuller a stupid question re white/black knobs and got a friendly answer with a smiley no less. Never believe what you read on internet forums (…erm unless I write it).

Summary-it’s a very good overdrive that is probably better suited to rehearsal/live playing rather than Billy No-Mates in his bedroom. (BTW I was a lonely bedroom guitarist for many years).

FD2

Well I had to find out what all the fuss was about the Fulldrive 2, so a friend loaned me his for a few gigs. I was disappointed for the most part. The overdrive is definitely smooth. EQ and deciding between comp or comp cut during gigs made dialing things in kind of tricky. Okay, here's where I was a dummy.

I am a little new to the boutique pedal thing and started reading more things about how certain pedals, like the FD2, don't work as well with EL84 based amps. Well guess what I was playing through. I was dumb.

More recently I was at a jam and played through a fun rig - strat, Deluxe Reverb, Tremolux, and the guys pedal board had that powder blue box staring back at me. Hmmmm. I don't know....

I think you FD2 guys know what I experienced then. Tone tone tone. Maybe this guy is just better at dialing sounds in, but I was definitely digging that pedal that night. It really hit home about how certain pedals just shine when combined with the right equipment.

Features wise, If I played through a Fender I would probably choose a FD2 over a tubescreamer.

I'm not going to review each pedal, but I have a Clyde Deluxe Wah, Fatboost, Fulldrive 2, 69, Distortion Pro, and a Soulbender. I keep going back to Fulltone because the sound is exactly what I love. Second, they are top of the line quality. They are made in America, And they sound awesome!!!! If you like late 60's-early 70's, play a tube amp/and a Strat...Get These Pedals!!

The FD2 has become the standard for quality transparent OD. My experiences are very positive. I use 3 great tube amps and the push that the pedal provides works fantastic- really drives the tubes without adding color to the sound. I could see how solid state amp users wouldn’t care for what it does, because they need that added change to the tone. The good thing about the FD2 is that it also works for clean boost very well. I even use it for my acoustic if I want to stand out in certain parts. I recommend giving this a try.

Although this is saying quite a bit, I have to say this as the best pedal I’ve ever owned. The pedal is built with quality components. The pots and switches are top notch and the true bypass is really true, which I can’t say for my Voodoo Trem (even though that a good pedal, for the money).

Cost is certainly a big consideration here, especially with the Barber drive now out there that costs about ½ the price. Still, if you’re looking for something that will send your tube amp to the next level without changing your sound, and you’re looking to hang onto for a while, this is the one. That being said, if you can’t justify the extra $100, check out the Barber.

Distortion Pro

I’m a big Fulltone fan. The Super Trem, Choral Flange, fat Boost and Vibe units are legendary, but the Dist Pro just sucks. I returned mine (to gguitars.com- he wouldn’t give me the $ back, so I had a “store credit.” Won’t shop there again). I now Mike designs his pedals in a Fender mind set, but for that kind of money, it should do it all. It’s impossible to get that scooped mids Marshal crunch, that I would thing is a given for any distortion pedal. The unit also killed my high end, big time. Too brown, which is cool, but that’s all you get.

Because I had to use my refund money as a store credit, I thought I try another Sans Amp GT2 (my second one). That did work better for what I needed, but I sold it to buy a Menatone KOB (that’s a cool pedal).

I was looking for wall of sound, on demand and the DP just didn’t get there. I’m very disappointed in the Fulltone thing, as a result of this one.

Carvindude... I'm glad I read your post because I was gonna go out and by me a DPRO but you know if it is not all that I don't want it. All the reviews say it can obtain most every distortion sound but no scooped marshall, that sucks.
I allready have found the best brown sound in a pedal and thats the Budda Phatman.
By the way that was a shitty way for dealing with a return.Hope you told them they were out of line.

Kind Regards and Thanks
Craig

check out my site Guitar From The Green goo for my gear and music.