Fulltone Full-Drive 2 Mosfet

this is a fairly simple pedal, all you need to do is mess around with it for a few minutes and you'll have worked most of it out.

i think the sound quality is great. their are three settings, Compcut, FM, and Vintage. i run my fulldrive through a 72 reissue thinline telecaster, into a marshall bluesbreaker, and personally i think the best way to get a fat, and sweet distortion is to put the setting on compcut and put the boost on.

compcut gives you a boost in volume compared to the other settings and also doesnt distort the sound as much, so you can also use this to get a very crisp sound, or if you want a sharp sounding solo.

the FM is a chunkier distortion and is a bit more fullon than the vintage.

the vintage sound is great for bluesy type sounds and is a very smooth distortion.

i dont think i would need a backup for this at a gig, very solid casing and very well made.

didnt have anything to do with them

this is a very reliable and good quality pedal for the money you will pay for it, you can get alot of sounds out of it. it might not make you wet your pants when you here it, but once you get it you wont be gettin rid of it, because it can be used in so many different areas and you will never know when u want it.

I use the FD-2 on Channel 2 of a MESA Mark-IVA head. I wanted something to give me a more versatile tone without having to crank up the volume. Don't get me wrong, the MESA's channel 2 sounds FANTASTIC on its own...I just need to keep my hearing while playing at home.


I honestly don't think it's possible to get a bad tone out of it. Took it right out of the box, turned the 4 knobs to 9:00, 12:00, 12:00, and 9:00....sounded fantastic. I was blown away.

What can I say that hasn't already been said. I'm completely blown away. It's as if it has become an actual part of the MESA's preamp. It rocks. 370 ratings and a 9.0 say it all.

I HIGHLY recommend taking this pedal for a test drive. You won't be disappointed.

Just bought it, so I can't comment on reliability yet. But given Fulltone's track record, I should have no worries.

Haven't had to call them up yet.

Easy to use? Yeah, but not easy to get a good sound out of. May be too complicated for people who don't like constant tweaking of switches and knobs- more on that later.

I play a les paul standard, a late 60's SG, and an american deluxe strat thru a marshall dsl 50 half stack with greenback vintage cab, a hasserl modded carvin nomad and sometimes an original 5150 combo. It's not noisy at all, it's weak, and no it doesn't get any tones from my heroes.

I'm sure it's reliable, it's built well, it's solid, and I've never had a single issue with my Fulltone OCD, which is the best overdrive pedal I've ever had. Luckily I only owned this pedal for 2-3 weeks before I sold it for exactly what I paid! Minus the 11 bucks in shipping.

Never dealt with them on a problem, but bought 2 pedals from them direct off their blems and seconds section on the website. They shipped real quick and were in mint condition, not a scratch on 'em.

I've been playing for 23 years. I'm a classic rocker- old school metal guy, with a really heavily bluesy influenced style. My heroes are Clapton, Page, Frehley, Wylde,Neal Schon, Dave Murray/Adrian Smith. The main way I use an overdrive is to push any of my tube amps harder. My OCD and Keeley blues driver are both good enough to use alone, with no amp gain on a clean chnl. This FD2 is not IMO. It is extremely thin, and has almost no gain (balls) at all. I can't believe how many people give this thing a 9 or 10 and go on raving about it. Compared to the OCD this pedal cuts bass way too much and adds too much midrange. The tone and gain knobs seem very dead and aren't flexible. The boost helps a tad, but is nothing like my keeley katana before my OCD or anywhere in the chain. The mini toggle for the flat mid/vintage is so subtle it's a waste. Yeah the comp cut mode is very loud, and useful for a clean boost, but you can buy a single clean boost without a crap od. I think this pedal is too complicated for its own good. A killer od pedal like the ocd or keeley blues driver or super od only needs 3 knobs and you're good to go. The toggles and switches only make you tweak instead of play. I know this is not a hi gain screaming *** pedal, and no, that's not what I needed, but I owe it to my fellow musicians to say " this pedal is overpriced and is not all it's hyped up to be. Again, buy a fulltone OCD, Keeley blues driver, or super overdrive for a simple kick *** od pedal. I'm lucky my fd2 sold so quick!

Easy to use unless you don't understand pedals. It's overdrive, and you can dial in an easy great sound with all controls at 12:00. The switches make it so much more useful, but also make it more complex, but not difficult to use. Just lots of options for great sounds.

The manual is good for learning the controls, and has some sample settings to get you started.

I have the blue one, not the red anniversary edition. Fulltone Fulldrive II Mosfet Edition.

For gigs I mainly play either a Koa wood Carvin DC135 or an original Gibson "The Paul" (1978) made of mahogany. Also have a variety of other guitars. All sound good through this pedal. It's magic.

Not noisy, except if you are careless with placing audio cables near power cables, or you use lousy audio cables. Even with controls maxed out, it's not noisy like most overdrive or distortion pedals can be.

It's hard to get a bad sound out of this pedal. You would need a horrible guitar and a crappy amp, and it would still make them sound much better.

I use mostly a Fender Hot Rod Deville, but also a Pignose G40V and a Marshall DSL 401. They all love this pedal.

Can get SRV to AC/DC and any kind of creamy blues/rock tone you can imagine. Also useful for harder and edgier stuff, but can't get a total metal grind if you are going for the scooped buzz saw sound. But it crunches up nice and is very versatile.

Sounds good before or after a wah, though I like after. Just like any overdrive or distortion, it does not sound good after a delay. Or at least not nearly as good as before the delay, which is normal.

Here's the kicker. This things sounds great at first. Then you might get over it and be wishing it had something more to offer. This happened to me. Then I tried the 18v power, instead of using 9v. Waaaay more headroom, and just a more open sound. This is the only way to run this pedal. Sound beautiful.

I can totally depend on it, and I gig without a backup. It's built tough, even though it looks purrty.

I had to email Fulltone and got a response from Mike. He was helpful and humble and didn't try to sell me a bunch of his products or services. Haven't needed a repair or any real customer support, but the interaction I've had was pleasant and helpful.

I play reggae, funk, rock, blues, and an experimental mix of latin groove and world beat. This pedal is perfect for everything. Best overdrive I've owned or played, even beats my Vox Valvetone.

Been playing for 20 years. Own tons of gear, but my live signal chain is Barber Tone Press > Dunlop Crybaby > Fulltone Fulldrive II Mosfet > Pigtronix EP1 > Yamaha UD Stomp > AMP (see main amps above).

If it were lost I'd buy another. If it were stolen I'd beat somebody's arse like you wouldn't believe it. Definitely replace this lovely creation if it were gone.

I love the sound, the options, the look. I wish the two channels were independent of each other, instead of one stacked on the other. That way you could use the Boost as a separate sound all by itself, instead of just adding gain to the normal overdrive. Or maybe a way to make the Boost be louder in volume (it's the same volume, which is kind of nice too).

I've had many overdrives and distortions, but this is the very best. PERIOD!

It absolutely helps me make great music. It's magic.

USE THE 18 Volt power. You will be very happy.

Easy to use, plug your guitar to the input, run a cable to your next pedal or amp tough guy!

I use a gibson les paul standard premium plus, american deluxe strat, early 70's gibson sg. Amps: marshall DSL50 half stack with vintage cab(greenbacks), Hasserl modified carvin nomad combo, marshall dsl 20 tube combo. Do not like the tone of this thing at all. It's weak and screws with your amps EQ settings.

Never gigged with it or used it much at practice, but I've never had a problem with my fulltone OCD, which is a killer od pedal, so I'm sure it's reliable.

I ordered a GT500 and this FD2 direct from fulltones' blemished and 2nd items website. They were very quick in shipping these out and they weren't blemished at all- they look perfect, so- they seem like good guys to deal with so far.

I play blues and classic rock mostly, with 80's metal as well. I've been playing 22 years. This pedal was bought to use on a second pedalboard setup I'm working on. My main overdrive has been a fulltone OCD which blows this thing away. I find the fD2 to be very weak on bass, weak on gain even for an overdrive, and it adds too many mids to my sound. I really dislike its sound when used alone thru a clean chnl- very weak. It's usable with some gain from a tube amp, but it screws with your tone too much. The mini toggle switches are unnecessary in my opinion, as they are barely noticeable in tonal changes. A good overdrive doesn't need so many options on it anyway, it should just do 1 thing real well. I spent more time trying to play with all this stuff on it to see if it would sound better! This is now up for sale. I got the OCD and a Keeley boss blues driver- they both rule! The OCD is way thicker, more transparent and is good enough to use on it's own-without any amp gain. I did try the fD2 out a store twice previous to ordering one and didn't remember it being so weak. Oh well

i like doing comparisons. i put my fulltone up against a tim pedal. it's not hard finding your tone. the tim has the flexibility with the loop. the tim is made to enhance other drives in your effects chain, although it can stand alone. the fulltone is all about tone. you can use the fulltone to enhance your other drives if wanted. i use either one as a stand alone for my drive tone. it does depend on the amp used & your hands --of course. speaker cabs too. i use a 2x12 jbl cab with a divided by 13 37 6v6 head. the tim has a boost with a pull-out on the back panel drive control--this can get real aggressive--quicker clipping. i normally use it without pulling this out. it also has a boost switch on the front. the fulltone has the mini toggles to set up the texture you want, & the boost on the front as well. you can use an 18 volt adapter with the fulltone as well as a 9 volt. i use a 9 volt with my fulltone. only use a 9 volt with the tim. i use fulltone adapters because i feel a big difference in current from other adapters--just like batteries can give you different currents. the fulltone adapter is very consistent.

you can't lose either way. i think the fulltone compresses very well. it is transparent for the most part, again depending on how strong your pickups are. it's not muddy. you hear the harmonics with picking. the tim is thinner in its regular mode, but don't confuse this with that crap-like thin everyone hates. remember, the tim is made to work more with stacking drives. it is transparent, but it can get great drive with just the front boost. it can go for that dumble shimmer when boosted or regular. if you pull the drive out in back, things get more saturated--you change the clipping. i get plenty of drive from both effects. the tim may be better balanced in that it's controls reduce your treble, bass, or harmonics. that's why when you turn them clockwise, you subtract from the tonality of the effect. just about every other effect out there, when you turn clockwise, you get more bass or treble in the effect. the gain on the front works like a regular control, when you turn clockwise, it adds gain. the drive on the back works counter-clockwise to add drive. the fulltone controls work like any amp control, turn clockwise, & you get more in the signal. i think the fulltone has good balance. the fulltone is made for great drive, & delivers. the tim is made more for stacking--this is what i think everyone raves about. it does stand alone fine as a drive. so make your choice as to what you want for your guitar tone. some places need that compressed tone when you play out, other times the tim effect is the right choice for a room or hall. the mosfet option does make a difference with the fulltone. neither one is a grunge pedal--not for the mesa rectifier tone. the tim may come close if you pull out the back panel drive, but even then you still have an obvious difference. both are made for clear drive tone. you'll like the harmonics. some guys like compression, others don't want too much. if you order a tim--you won't find them in stores--with a little time--i'd think you'll find your drive tone--stacked or not. contact paul cochrane--he's the builder. i have several fulltone products, & all have delivered. i have an ocd as well--2 of them--both either version 2 or 3--i forget-& they have a difference in tone between them. both ocd's work depending on what i want. anyhow, for all the reviews i see about how the tim is SO OUTSTANDING, the fulltone is not the degenerate effect it can be made out to be. these effects were designed differently, & that's good. because our ears work differently too. & our hands. all of us play different guitars with all kind of pickup configurations. it's ok to be a tone nut or gear junky, just don't be a snob over it. what if bonamassa starts using a $30.00-40.00 pedal--no mods? the prices for that effect on ebay will jump 1000%. the fulltone is now around $161.00, & if you order from cochrane, the tim is 169.00, & he has dropped the wait from one year down to about 4 months. or you can get one off ebay for around $270.00 to about $300.00.

i see either as a backup. built solid anyway. fulltone i hear has some issues depending on reader's comments, but i haven't had issues. when you call cochrane, you get him at home. he doesn't have a website yet. he builds the heritage amp line. good amps. his number is 615 896-8555. email is paulcochrane@comcast.net.

cochrane has great feedback with support. fulltone like i said has pissed of some--but my effects work great. don't bust up your stuff. the switches are very good & strong--they depress easy, no stomping required.

these are 2 great drives. find your tone depending on your tastes. don't be a tone snob. if you don't like one, someone will probably find it useful for them. look for the textures that either can give you. the tone is there, which one hits your ear. when you get mouth-watering, you'll know which one is right. it's a tone fest

Your going to have to spend some time learning what each switch does and how it sounds and how the switches interact with each other. So spend some time with it and once you get used to what it does your golden

I'm using this with a blues junior at home with a fat strat. No unwanted noises from this guy. Just your guitar coming through. The clarity you get is amazing. Now the vintage setting does add mid hump so this is a "tubescreamer" sound we all know, but not compressed, not as processed sounding. The FM is a more straight un colored sound that gets some added drive, and the CompCut is really just a clean boost. Then you have the Boost side and the normal or mosfet setting. This really gets you going for a solo. having this boost was a awesome addition.

Like a tank- I have a OCD as well but I don't plan on this thing ever really crapping out on me.

never dealt with the company- but does have a warranty, so I will just mail it in if something happens

My overdrive search is over, this thing can do a lot of tricks so I'm not stuck with a one trick pony. However!!!!! this pedal does what it does. Its a overdrive not a distortion pedal. It will handle all your light to medium break up / gain sounds. Its not supposed to handle distortion type sounds. So if your into distortion don't think this pedal will do it. there just isn't enough gain.

I agree--it's really hard to get a bad sound out of this overdrive pedal. I would recommend starting off by dialing in the best tone you can get from your amp before even engaging the FD2. Important to think about staging gain. Best to use a tube amp (I have a modded Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with JJ tubes and a Celestion Vintage 30). Set your "clean sound" to be as gritty as you can. Most of the time that means turning it up pretty loud so you start getting a hint of natural overdrive. (I'm from the school of thought that says a "clean" sound should never be crystal clean--hence the reason I bought a HRD and modded it to be grittier and warmer). Once you've got your amp's pure sound set, then start with the FD2--set the volume and overdrive knobs to work in conjunction with each other. Then the tone knob is really there to change the amount of brightness/darkness or clarity--call it presence if you want. Overall easy to get a killer sound out of it if you follow this method. It's a high-quality overdrive pedal that's hand-made in the US. You can't go wrong there.

Here's my signal chain: Les Paul Classic with Burstbucker Pro Humbuckers -> Planet Waves Chromatic Pedal Tuner -> Morley Lil' Alligator Volume Pedal -> BBE Boosta Grande -> Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive -> Fulltone Full-Drive 2 MOSFET -> Radial Engineering True Bypass Effects Loop Switcher (with a Line 6 DL4 in loop one and nothing in loop two) -> modified Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (as described above). This pedal isn't noisy in my opinion. I love the natural and warm "boutique-style" overdrive that comes from this pedal. It interacts very well with the output coming from the guitar (determined by the pickups and the player's use of the volume knob). I can leave the overdrive from the FD2 on all the time and clean up the sound with the volume knob on my guitar. It's not a fuzzy overdrive at all, which I love. I typically use my Sparkle Drive for cleaner overdrive sounds, when I really just want to add some kick to my clean sound, and then I'll use the FD2 for the thick overdriven tones. And for leads I can simply step on the boost. It's best in my opinion to set the overdrive knob between 12:00 and 2:00, and then turn the boost knob all the way up (or just short of all the way). When it's set up this way, the boost function is much more effective and there's a bigger difference in the two sounds. I usually have the first toggle switch set to "vintage" and the second one set to "Mosfet" because I like the thicker overdrive tones. One of the best aspects of the tones you can get from this pedal is the maintained low-end. With many overdrive pedals, the low-end is lost when the pedal is engaged. I don't know why, and I've never liked it. But the guys at Fulltone specifically addressed that with this pedal, because it retains that low-end and sounds fantastic. Sometimes, for a really dirty lead tone, I'll engage the Sparkle Drive (feeding into the FD2) while the FD2 is on--incredible clarity and screaming sustain. That's a whole seperate conversation when you start talking about blending the two together for really screaming sounds and staging them together properly. The ultimate setup would be two or three seperate Full-Drive 2 MOSFET pedals in line to be used in conjunction with each other for different amounts of gain. I give it a 10--it's pristine.

I don't have any worries about it failing on me, and you can tell by holding/handling it that it can withstand just about anything you could dish out to it at gigs or traveling. It really is a solid pedal. And yes, it looks great on my board too with the blue metal and cream knobs.

I haven't personally dealt with the company at all. I bought one of the few units that made it to my local Guitar Center (they're always on back-order).

I play a lot of blues rock and classic rock. Sometimes there's a bit of country influence in my playing as well. This pedal works great for the sound I'm after. I've been playing for about 10 years and I'm finally getting around to piecing together the exact sound I've been after--this pedal has been very integral to that. If it were lost/stolen, I'd definitely replace it. My favorite features on the pedal are the two toggle switches. They really expand the range of tone-possibilities. This pedal is great because it helps me achieve the tone that enables me to become expressive in my playing. I can get "that" sound that I'm after, forget about turning knobs, and just play. When your gear helps you in that way, you know you have good gear--no matter what it is. If it does that for you, hold on to it.

For me, this was not an easy pedal to figure out....But, the more time you spend with it, the more you will like it....If you are impatient and need instant gratification, look somewhere else...If you are willing to spend some time tinkering, the investment of your time will be rewarded in spades!!!

The thing to remember is that this is an overdrive pedal, NOT a distortion pedal....If you're looking for Metallica, it ain't here! However, it has a wonderful clean boost and a quite a variety of mild to rockin' overdive tones....And you will retain the inherent tone of your guitar, which is something I like a lot!!! Again, if you are a person who loves to search for different tones, I think you'll be extremely satisfied! I'll put it this way....Your pedalboard space is precious.....I have a bunch of Overdrive/Distortion pedals....The FullDrive 2 Mosfet Edition will be on that pedalboard as long as I'm playing.....It's THAT good!!!!

I've had this pedal for a year....Not in a band for a while, but I use this pedal 4 to 5 times a week....It is true bypass, so there will be an occasional popping sound when you engage it...I believe that Fulltone reccomends engaging the on/off swich a few times before plugging in!!!

I've heard all the horror stories.....What do you want, Mike Fuller is a genius, I think.....I wouldn't even care if he gave me a hard time if I contacted him....He knows tone, and that's what's important!!!!

AWESOME! Just turn the knobs and listen! Do read the manual to get an idea of the numerous combination of knobs and switches

Beautiful... I'm using an Epiphone Casino (with P-90s) through a 1975 Hiwatt DR504 and it is amazing. The Hiwatt is just shy of amazing overdrive, so this pedal takes it all the way. The only (very small) complaint I have is that the boost isn't quite as loud as I was expecting, but it is barely an issue. I borrowed an older Full Drive 2 from a friend a while back and got addicted, and the Mosfet model is even better!

I've only had it a week, and used it for 2 gigs, but I will use nothing but this pedal in the future. If I ever need a backup, I will get another one.

Although in my week of owning this I haven't had any problems (a good start!), I worked for years at a recording studio which owned a few fulltone pedals and the Tube Tape Echo unit and have dealt with Mike and the co. on various occasions, and it was never anything but a pleasure. Great company!

I've been playing for 20 or so years now in various projects such as rock, blues, country etc. This pedal is exactly what I have been needing!