Fulltone Deja Vibe 2

It's dead simple to operate.

If you are looking for something in the Univibe range you will be disappointed. You choices are limited to chorus and vibrato, "vintage" or "modern", and they are equally tepid. I've now owned (past tense) the Deja 2, a Choralflange, a Fulldrive, and a '69 and my complaint is the same with all of them: they are sterile, lifeless, uninspiring pedals. They just have no soul.

I cannot fault the construction of these devices. The build quality is second to none. I think that's where a lot of folks get hung up over Fulltone. It's difficult to reconcile that something so well made could sound so neuter.

I tried to contact Fuller at one point to make some suggestions for improving the Deja 2 and was told, in no uncertain terms, that my input was less than welcome. Very unpleasant.

This is an update to my previous review of this product, model #777.
I had this pedal for near 4 months, and it failed to work. The on/bypass switch simply toggled from bypass, to off. Yes, switching the pedal on just cut all the sound to silence, and no operational light showed on the pedal. How long the pedal had been in the shop for, I cant comment, but it ceased to work after a short while in my hands, in my bedroom.
My '2' rating is based on the faulty pedal.

After contacting the place where I purchased the pedal from, I sent back my faulty pedal, and after month, or there abouts, I recived a brand new DejaVibe2, model #1031 07-05. All seems OK with the pedal. Judging by the other number, it would seem like a date, i.e the old pedal was 2002, 3 years old.
Hopefully this new DejaVibe will last a lot longer than the last.

On/Off stomp style button
Intesity knob
Speed treddle
Flashing speed indicator led
Vibrato/Chorus switch
Modern/Vintage switch
Kettle style power socket (runs off the mains)

The pedal is extremely simple to use. The manual is not needed to understand and learn how to make great sounds witht this pedal. Most parts are self explainatory, but there a few parts that need a little explaining.

Vibrato/Chorus switch: This gives either a setting that sounds like that of Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix etc. That swirling, warm sound, in the chorus mode, or a strange vibrato style sound that bend the notes a little. That is the vibrato mode.

Modern/Vintage switch: This changes the sound character of the pedal. The modern setting gives a brighter, clearer, cleaner sound. This is a useful setting for more moddern styles, and for more high gain amp settings. Vintage provides the warmer, little more organic sounding effect. This sound is closer to Trower/Hendrix.

Model: #777 10-02

This review is based on the pedal running through a Line6 POD2.0 and a pair of Fostex PM0.5 active studio monitors. Various guitars were used, USA Customshop Fender Strat, Texas Special loaded Fender Mexican 50's strat, Tokai LS80f, Ibanez JS6.

The main reason for the purchase of the pedal was the chorus effect, to get a similar sound to that of the guitarists mentioned above, so the Vibrato hardly ever gets used. The pedal does perform amazingly well at getting the right sound. Its a toneful, warm, full, round sound that comes out of the pedal. Vintage and Chorus are the two settings that provide a really amazing tone.

Running the pedal in Modern and Chorus mode, allows us to reach Joe Satriani style sounds, similar to those on 'Crystal Planet'. This sound has a cleaner sound that allows more presence to come through and avoids mudding up the high gain amp setting.

The speed setting on the pedal allows one to go from a quite slow effect, probably more slow than would be needed in most situations, to a fast pace that resembles 'Trundrumbalind' from Joe Satrini's 'Crystal Planet album'. There is aloowances for fine adjustment with the treddle, but feet are normally too clumsy to get exactly the right speed.

Intensity takes us from a subtle, almost hardly noticable effect, to a fully wet, almost insane level of effect. The intesity is useable in all postitions on its rotary pot, though, there isnt a bad position here.

The overall sound of the pedal really does a great job of preserving your guitars tone all the way through each setting. Not really, at any point, does the guitar lose its signature tone. There is no added buzz or hiss, nor is there any loss of volume.

-Comparisons-
This pedal was compared to the Dunlop Univibe UV1. The UV1 did not have the same depth or warmth to the sound as did this one. The sound was a little weak, and uninspiring.
A Roger Mayer VoodooVibe was also compared to the DejaVibe. The VoodooVibe was like a multieffects box. There was a lot of scope for finding new inspiring sounds, but it did tend to sound a little sterile, and a bit square. It didn't seem to want to let the guitar tone through, withought processing it.
A Roger Mayer VoodooVibe Jnr. was also compared, with very similar characteristics to the larger sibling.

This pedal weighs a fair amount. You can see the quality of parts used here, there is a large bolt that holds the treddle, and every part fits tight, and doesn't wobble. Switches are solid as is the intensity knob.
This pedal is built incredibly well, and should last a long time.

The pedal provides the best sound between a Dunlop UV1, and Roger Mayer's VoodooVibe/Jr. The Fulltone is much stronger in build that either the Mayer or Dunlop. The sound is more natural, and warmer than the other two. The addition of the speed treddle will help out live, where as the UV1 will need the separate controller, im not sure if there is a foot controller for the Mayer's.

Robin Trower, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Joe Satrini, Steve Vai...and loads more. This pedal will give the great vibe sound that so many guitarists have used.
Simply amazing.

-note-
The pedal can be run either in the front end, or in the effects loop (if the amp has one). Running in the loop tends to add a little extra clarity to the sound, and sounds a little more hifidelity. I had tried this through a Mesa Boogie amp in the shop. The difference was only subtle.

If you are looking for the 'univibe effect' then listen to as many as you can. There are certainly many on the market, and something a little cheaper than this may give you the sounds you prefer..ie Roger Mayer. If you're looking for authenticity, the Fulltone will not dissapoint you.

Bought from 'Peach Ideas' http://www.peachideas.com/ Braintree, Essex, UK.

read on

Sounds OK.....but a little on the thin side. There is a preamp mod that he is now doing to the mini deja that beefs up the sound. This pedal needs that. I emailed him quite a few times to enquire as to whether or not he could do this mod to the Deja 2 (same circuit, right) Finally after impartial responses to my inquiries he flat out said that no, he would not. I guess it didn't matter to him that I also puchased his Octafuzz and Fat Boost. And I guess my $349 dollar vibe pedal was not of priority to him either. It's ok because I use it only for vibrato, because my Captain Coconut provibe is WAAAY more lush and thick, and it has a wider variation of sounds and controls.

Haven't taken it out so I cannot say.

See the sound quality entry above, I have dealt with numerous individuals (John Suhr OD-100 3+SE designer comes to mind) who exhibits the utmost graciousness when it comes to working on or modifiying gear that THEY design and/or manufacture. When you are given the bum's rush and told that NO, I WILL NOT HELP YOU EVEN THOUGH I CAN you tend to not want to put money in that person's pocket. As a result, I have done some righteous trades with my other two fulltone pedals towards other things that work better.

If it were stolen or broken, I'd be better of with a prescription or sweet sound vibe. I would not buy another fulltone product, period.

Very easy to use. No manual needed

old strat with awesome Tokai PUs>>>Carl Martin Compressor>>>Budda Phatman>>>Keeley mod
TS10>>>dejavibe>>>Ibanez AD99 analog delay>>>Bad Cat cub II. I don't add new stuff to my chain very often but I have been looking for the right "vibe-leslie-magnatone,etc" thing for years. I wanted something to put shimmer behind my basic strat tone for some songs. I am totally satisfied with the basic strat+EL84 chime straight up for most music but everybody wants that hammond thing. Over the years I owned a Univibe, Voodoo micro vibe, a sweet sound, and the Fulltone. The Fulltone was one of the better ones but still didn't cut it. It colored and took away the underlying class A + strat tone. I worked with it for several months until I found out the secret (see below) I sold the Fulltone for a decent price.

Fulltone products are extremely well made. I've owned 2 other fulltone pedals.

don't know

I have played many years. I'm a tone freak like anyone who buys this high end stuff. Currently in an R+B / poprock / funk group gigging once or twice per month - I mostly enjoy party type gigs - dance stuff. I sold the fulltone about a year ago. The right tone had been under my nose for a long time. The secret was to use a high quality tremelo. I have stayed with the little known Monster Effects product ( Swamp Thang) - $200 and worth five times that. This gives me that shimmer behind my great strat tone. I always thought that a vibe was the answer - nope. No need to shop for vibes any more.

Easy, hit the switch and Go!

It's an exact Univibe sound, with the speed controller built in! Previous reviewer said it goes from slow to Fast way too fast, but that's how My old Univibe was, that's how the original Univibe's Oscillator is designed and you can't get that va-voom-va-voom Rythm if you change the oscillator like Captain Coconut, Sweet Sound etc. NO THNAKS! I'll take the Real thing/the Deja'Vibe 2 anyday!

3 years now using it every day

excellent, friendly, professional, but I don't take my problems to them, I get the answers to questions related to my product every time.

Great, would buy again

ez to get a decent sound. no need for manuel

It's a good sound. However, it's not nearly as good as the mojo vibe or the vibe on the Captain Coconut. it's not nearly as authentic.

THER IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SWEEP VS. SPEED on this unit. it goes from slow to med to HAUL ASS. I wrote Fuller about this. he is aware of the problem but coudln't give me a time on when it would be addressed. Makes me wonder why he put this thing out in the 1st place.? I would have kept it if the travel on the pedal wasn't like that. Also, I had not yet heard either of the 2 untis mentioned above.

THER IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SWEEP VS. SPEED of effect on this unit. it goes from slow to med to HAUL ASS!!! the hauling sound is unusable for the most part. I wrote Fuller about this. he is aware of the problem but couldn't give me a time on when it would be addressed. Makes me wonder why he put this thing out in the 1st place.? I would have kept it if the travel on the pedal wasn't like that. Also, I had not yet heard either of the 2 untis mentioned above.

I would NEVER recommend this pedal to anyone gong for the vibe sound. Go to analogman.com and check out the mojo vibe or the Capt. cocnut. Both are truer sounding units that have much more "mojo" to offer than this. I sold mine as quick as I bought it...took a $40 hit to dump it and considered myself lucky!
SAVE YOUR $$$

Well, it's noy very hard to use, but as in the other reviwes, the sweep at the very top cranks the speed of the warble too quickly. That is wat is hard to get used to, but it isn't the end of the world.

This is a top quality unit. I owned the Dunlop Univibe with external speed pedal. I mainly bought this one to have a more compact package, and I think the sound quality is bit better too. It isn't noisy, it does the vintage Univibe sound very well, and though I'm not an expert, I think the sound is true to the original units. I would love to hear the Mojovibe and others because people rave about them, but this is the only one I have seen in such a user-friendly package what with the integrated speed pedal and rocker switches on top. There is an internal pot for changing something about the sound that I want to toy with but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Apparently it can bust the lamps that make the chorus effect, so you can't turn it more than 1/16 either way! The vintage/modern switch is a nice touch. There's nothing but good sounds in this thing, but it never really sounds like a Leslie (most people recognize that fact).

Real solid.

Don't know really (had a less than ideal experience before, but not with this pedal)

I play a blues-based, jazz-influenced brand of rock if I have to describe it (join the club). I like this pedal alot. The best part is that I was able to buy it and pay for it with the Dunlop UV-1. That means I save space on my pedalboard and get the vintage/modern switch and slightly better sound quality for the same price. I also like the seperate stomp switch cuz the Dunlop works by pressing on the speed control. This way, you can keep the speed set where you want it, and not have to ramp up to find the speed you need. New, these things are so overpriced it's criminal! I got a good deal on mine and would never consider it for over $200. It's a 9 for tone, but you don't want to pay full price for one unless you're Peter Frampton. This is just a novelty sound that isn't necessary for most people, so at full retail the rating for value would be significantly lower. I would personally prefer a swtichable Tremolo instead of Vibrato mode but that's how they're made...

Pretty striaght forward... has an on/off stomp switch, a pedal to control the effect speed, a vibrato/chorus rocker switch, a modern/vintage rocker switch, and a rotary intensity control. My ONLY gripe with the unit is that the speed jumps from fairly fast to full tilt when you have the pedal near the top of it's throw. Easy enought to control if you move the pedal with your hand, but using your foot it's real hard to get a smooth transition up to full speed.

I have to say, I'm pretty stunned at the things this pedal does. I'd not had much experience with univibe clones, but I've never heard one that really inspires me the way this one does. Even on it's most subtle of settings it just adds some mojo, some soul, something, to whatever you're playing. It's hard to describe, it doesn't sound like an effect has been added to your guitar signal, it just becomes a part of your guitar. On it's most obtrusive of chorus settings you can get huge swirly entrancing sounds... put some distortion before it and it turns into some kind of superphaser, some distortion after it and you've got woodstock. ..Distortion before and after it and it's about the most (useably) interesting wall of sonics I've ever heard. To be honest I didn't expect to find the vibrato useful on this, I bought it for the chorus. Let me tell you, the vibrato is perfect. Ramp the speed all the way up and your guitar is transformed into an organ. Anything less than full speed you have to back the intensity off to keep from sounding sick and broken... but at low intensity it adds some sparkle to the signal.

It's extremely well built, and I haven't had a problem with it, nor do I anticipate having a problem with it. (I don't think that's just optimism)

Never dealt with...

I purchased this pedal based solely on a few audio clips and the raving reviews I read here. It was a gamble, especially for the price. I am not dissapointed, at all. If you're looking to get that univibe sound of days gone - this will do that (to my ears the chorus is a perfect replica of the sound in several Jimi songs i know and love)... if you're looking to carve out a new sound and need a very useable, very interesting, and very well done effect box - this will do that too. All in all just an excellent pedal.

you step on the switch, it is on, use your foot, right or left,,to adjust the speed,,,some have said it is a little difficult to nail the speed for "cold shot", but I don't think it's that big a deal,,,I mean when Stevie did that in the studio, I'm sure he did not have a big problem. easy to select either vibrato or chorus. This was made to exactly duplicate the original Univibe, which I have never played,,but I have listened to hendrix at woodstock enough to know that this gets that sound 100%!!! do you want other chorus sounds? well this was not really made with that in mind,,so with that in mind, for ease of use to get a authentic Jimi sound,,,a "10"

the effect is strong, it dominates, and perhaps has a slight boost to my ears. I use it mostly for the mellower hendrix, like "hey baby", in which I leave my od/fuzz pedals off,,cuz the dejavibe is loud enough, and I don't need the other pedals. Works allright for the trower songs,,but I would not really say it is for than 80% tailored for that sound,,,again it was designed to duplicate jimi's univibe!
I'll give it a 9, cuz I'm sure the purist would prefer a mint condition original univibe that jimi may have stepped on himself!

built like a tank,,expect no problems,,,,if there was,,too expensive to exactly back up,,,I could live a couple nights without it, (sadly)

n/a

jap strat vintage pickups or hybrid strat w/slightly hotter pickups, or tokai lefty 64 copy strat vintage, into: black cat od1,black cat od/fuzz, thomas wah w/stack of dimes, dejavibe 2, ibanez flanger, ibanez delay/or aria vintage delay, dod stereo chorus, run in stereo to 2 peavey 212 classics, I seem to get more of the magical jimi sound through the dejavibe with the tokai strat, i am looking for another vibe product, perhaps less expensive, microvibe or more expensive ultravibe, to get more of the trower sound, pink floyd (breathe) and get the best of both worlds with one pedal, which I don't think the dejavibe2 does,,,,THOUGH AGAIN,,,,It was designed for the JIMI world,,,,so I will give it a 9,,,just subtracting a tad for the slight volume boost,,,If you do a jimi tribute band,,,this is a 200% must have (to me!)