Fulltone Full-Drive 2

With three different modes on the pedal, you get a wide range of distorted and overdriven effects. Add to that a Boost function, and Level, Overdrive, Boost, and Tone controls and it's quite possibly the most versatile good sounding overdrive pedal ever! The manual is pretty small and concise and gives you all the information you need.

With the three different modes you get a great sounding tube screamer mod "Vintage", a slightly less dirty and brighter "FM" setting, as well as "CompCut" which will drive your amp into amazing overdrive, just be prepared for the increase in volume; I love it for loud settings. The tubes love it even more. I use this amp in front of a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue and it really accepts it quite well. I had originally gotten this pedal because the amp is quite particular about overdrive in front of it, I later learned that it loved these boutique style pedals (Think Fulltone, Xotic Effects, etc.). These pedals are really great for a non-distortion application (read: simply overdrive) where an amp might be more sensitive due to it's wiring. But don't get the wrong impression, with Normal and Boost both engaged you get an amazing singing "lead tone."

Rock solid, a lot of weight to it, and no problems at all with the product. I did notice, while on a tour to Colorado, the "looseness" of the knobs was quite evident (being that they turned easier) this was probably do to a massive climate change (50% humidity, 80F weather to probably very little humidity and very cool weather). But it didn't affect anything, and the pedal worked wonders. I've even thrown cables in my gig bag which have moved around and put scratches on the product, however it's only visible in the right light, the powdercoating has not come off, nor the wording and labels on the Fulldrive! Super-tough finish. Reminds me of Analog man but with a smooth finish.

I haven't had to asked them anything, or fix anything. It's quite a reliable and heavy-duty product.

This pedal is great for those who are looking for an overdrive pedal. It works wonders, is incredibly versatile and for a little bit more money, you can expand your tonal possibilities even more with the Mosfet edition. Main styles include Jazz, Blues, Fusion, and some Rock. Works great for all of them. Brilliantly designed and brilliant sound.

Incredibly easy and user friendly. Controls are as straightforward as it gets - with a few minutes of turning the knobs you'll dial in the sounds you need. Volume, Tone, Overdrive, Boost and a switch for "Comp/Cut"(a clean boost), "FM"(the natural, transparent sound), and "Vintage" (a dirtier, old school overdrive sound). Big knobs make it easy to adjust as you're playing too. Manual (2 pages) with it tells you everything you need to know, explains the functions in clear language and gives some good suggestions on how to get started.

This is the best sounding, most natural and most versatile overdrive pedal I've used. It's just very musical (not trashy or muddy sounding like a lot of the junky overdrive/distortion pedals out there, and doesn't color your tone). Personally I like it better than the Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer, which is good for certain things, but more limiting and tonally muddy than the Fulldrive in my opinion.(doesn't have the extra boost channel like the Fulldrive, so you just have to set it to one level for rhythm and solos).

I wanted to start out with an excellent clean tone and have an overdrive pedal that would be natural and transparent sounding without altering or muddying up my tone and the Fulldrive does that really well. Obviously, the separate boost channel really sets it apart from other pedals like the TS-9, and is ideal for me, since I can set the overdrive for my standard rhythm-distortion/light soloing, and then hit the boost to kick the solo into full gear. It's super quiet - True Bypass is another nice feature, so you can rest assured it won't affect/diminish your signal when it's off - Mike Fuller is a guitar player, so he thinks of all these things! I find it works well by iteself (usually run a 1980 Gibson ES335 into a Fender Hot Rod Deville 410) but does equally well in a chain (I often run it with a BOSS GT-6 and occassionally a cry baby wah too). Range of tones you can get from this thing is incredible and should work for all kinds of music (except for metal/punk). (One cool trick is to put it on "Comp/Cut" mode, set the Overdrive all the way up, and Volume way, way down and it's the equivalent to overdriving the amp and getting that crazy naturally overdriven tube amp sound)

Only complaint is that the "Boost" just isn't quite aggressive enough. Sometimes it could use a bit more "oomph," or edge, especially to help cut through a band. The tone tends to get darker with the boost on also - you lose some of the highs that are in the regular FM Overdrive stage. This is about the only complaint I have though.

Fulltone builds incredibly solid pedals and this is no exception. Gig and play with it constantly and never had any problems. I tend to baby my equipment (I keep it in the original box when I'm not using it, never dropped it etc.), but still seems very durable. I'm not concerned about a backup.

Never had to deal with them, although I've heard they are helpful.

I play everything from straight up rock to blues, country, funk, R&B and fusion and my Fulltone works great for all of it because it's such a versatile and natural sound. As overdrives go this pedal is incredibly musical and tasty (read - doesn't color your tone, so whatever you're tone/style, the Fulldrive is just there to provide the overdrive).

Been playing about 12 years and this is the best pedal I've ever bought. I still would like to try the new Fulltone GT-500, since it's supposed to be even more versatile and offer "distortion," and there's a couple other great pedals out there I'd like to try eventually, but my Fulltone isn't going anywhere - this will be a part of my rig for a long time to come.

Again my only complaint is that the "Boost" just doesn't feel like enough of a boost sometimes, and it could be more aggressive. (Running it with a separate clean boost pedal would probably solve that, since the main issue is strength/volume - the Boost has plenty of saturation/sustain when it's all the way up). Otherwise, for reliability, ease of use, versatility and it's natural sound, I think this pedal is a great investment!

Lovely pedal, just plug it in, twiddle the knobs some and you are pretty much there!

It sounds pretty sweet, i used it in a gig with one of my jokebands the other week, have a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhpWEKAe-8s
where i just plugged my ibanez into it through a fender twinreverb. it's got all the tone i needed for that gig anyway =)
really makes my guitar sound cool IMO! view the clip and see for yourself!

i always have my sansamp psa1 with me when im trying new stuff out, but it can become a primary tool!

This pedal is lovely for some styles of music, and through the right amp. its kinda pricey, but for those pub gigs its good tone in a small box. i like it anyway!

Easy to use, no problem.

I bought this pedal with high hopes. I have a American Tele and Gibson Les Paul special. I have a modded Fender Vibrolux reissue. I wanted a warm easy overdrive. This thing is high-endy, fizzy, and clippy. Not a nice growl like I was looking for. I got my TS7 to sound way better.

The build is the best thing about this pedal.

Might be the right pedal for some, but seems like an expensive way to go just so you can say 'i have a fulltone'.

This pedal is Cake. Literally, tastes like heaven and looks like batter (i have the cream version, very nice!) Turn a few nobs to set the initial settings, and you're off.

Great sound and selection of sounds. The sound guy at the church always says that he loves the sound of this pedal. I really dig the boost on this. Sometimes on the rhythm channel on my LP it gets a little muddy on the initial bypass switch (I set the overdrive lower, about 8:30-9:00) but on the middle selection and treb, sounds freakin ridiculous. I'm playing this through a blues deluxe (which tends to take pedals well anyways) but this will remain on my board even if i get rid of my TS808 or my modded BD2. this is my staple pedal.

I would gig with this alone, no backup. In fact i'm going over to hungary this summer and will bring only a sample of my pedalboard. This, my dd5, tu2 and my keeley comp are coming with. Excellent reliability. Sometimes if i get excited i will tap the knobs adn they move really easily... so that may detract a little bit from teh reliability. Mark out your settings or take off your knobs if you are traveling a ton, cause they might surprise you when you kik the boost and it doesn't add a boost at all, making you look dumb on stage.

haven't delt with them

I'm a worship leader in a contemporary/modern setting. I'm always looking for a grunge/bite pedal, and this does it for me. even if i'm playing and singing, i just hover my foot right next to this and set volume accordingly to boost into chorus's and heavey bridge. If it was stolen, i would buy another, maybe the new blue mosfet... i didn't like the red one, but the blue looks nice. or another vintage orange (thats what originally turned me on to the fd2). This thing has more songs written on it than everything else in my distortion arsenal, and has beaten out a dozen other pedals (some which cost more) to remain on my board. I've been using this particular pedal for over 4 years now, great stuff.

Pretty basic set-up. Volume, Tone, Distortion, and Boost control knobs. A 3-way switch for Comp-cut, FM, or Vintage mode. Very versatile pedal and fairly easy to get a good sound out of it.

I have a pretty basic set-up...1977 American Strat - Full Drive 2 - Hot Rod Deluxe - (preamp out) to Podxt Live - stereo out to mixer. I use the Hot Rod Deluxe in front of the Podxt Live to warm up the input signal with the preamp tubes on the amp. It also gives me a little stage noise which I like. I keep the HRD clean and use the Full Drive as my only overdrive (Podxt Live's distortion/overdrives are very weak and thin). The Podxt Live is basically used as a modulation and delay effects processor (also as a stereo direct box).

I don't have much use for the Comp Cut mode unless I get another one and put it after this one for a boost. The boost mode is not much of a difference and kind of disappointing, but I didn't get it for the boost. The tone in Vintage mode is UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!! The clarity of each note is unsurpassed by any effect I have ever used. The Drive channel on the HRD is flabby and the notes mush together. With the amp in clean and running the FD2 as the overdrive makes me glad I haven't gone out and put tons of money in modding the HRD or getting another one.

I use the FM mode as a true overdrive sound. I play with the neck pickup on the Strat and it sounds like the tubes are just on the edge of breakup. Picking attack really affects the gain level in this mode.

I only rate this a 9 because I will never be completely satisfied with my tone.

Never had an issue, seems solid, not worried, but we'll see.

Have not had to deal with them. Thinking about writing them a thank you for creating such a great pedal.

I play Contemporary Christian stuff which requires a vast range of styles and sounds. If I played most of my own stuff, I would just run the Full-Drive with a delay pedal into the Hot Rod Deluxe. It sounds so great, I can't stop thinking about playing with it again. I have tried a few of the amp models on the Podxt Live and the FD2 shines through them as well. I went to Guitar Center looking for a pedal that would help my rig sound like a Marshall stack. Most of the "distortion" pedals sound very much like a transistor amp (sterile, digitized, etc). I decided to take home the FD2 to see what I could do with it and didn't even change any of the knobs. Just plugged in my guitar, turned on my amp, and was blown away. I really haven't changed the positioning of the tone and distortion knobs because I love the sound so much.

About as easy as a pedal can get. Vol., Tone, Overdrive, & Boost knob. Mini toggle switch is very easy to use as well. Medium to heavy od's switch to vintage, lower gain switch to f/m (flat mids), clean boost switch to compcut. Pretty easy stuff.

My current rig is an American standard strat>fulldrive 2>true bypass box (not sure about the manufacturer)>boss tu-2 tuner>boss dd-6 delay> vox ac15 1x12 combo. It takes a little while to find the "sweet spot" on this pedal but once you do you will be happy with it. DO NOT BUY THIS PEDAL UNLESS YOU HAVE A TUBE AMP!!! I've tried it through a Roland 1x12 blues cube (solid state), Dr.Z MAZ Sr. (NR) 1x12, and my VOX ac15 and the Roland didn't do justice to this pedal. I have mine set up with vol/od/boost at 9 o'clock and the tone at about 5 o'clock with the mini toggle switch on vintage. I have tone set pretty high because i like my clean sound a tad thicker than most. Got the pedal because my favorite artist Lincoln Brewster suggested this pedal and the other electric guitarist at my church has the first model of the FD2 and his sounds great. I can come pretty close to Lincoln's strat tone with this pedal which is superb in my opinion. If you ever get a chance to pick up his "All To You" Live cd then you'll know what i'm talking about. There is a pretty fine line when your in vintage mode with this pedal because the slightest turn clockwise gets a bit fuzzy and the slightest turn counter clockwise gets a good tube like sound. In f/m mode the distortion is mild and very transparent which I like for certain sounds. The compcut mode is more of like a clean boost then an overdrive which is good I guess if your a jazz guy but look out when you hit the boost because your volume goes through the roof with the boost on in compcut. The boost is a very good feature which I like for soloing and just cutting through the mix for more edgy stuff. The only problem I have found with the boost is that it adds some bass to your sound when it get's past about 10 or 11 o'clock but about 9 o'clock should give you plenty of boost for almost any situation. The pedal is dead quiet unless of course have standard single coil's. This pedal comes standard now with the mosfet switch which I have heard great things about so if your thinking about getting one then go for it. You won't be disappointed.

This thing is built like a tank. My buddy has had his since they first came out and the only problem he has had with his is a little static in the switches that was a little stubborn to get out.

I play mainly contemporary christian music which this pedals suit's the style perfectly. There are several christian artist's that use this pedal and I know why now. I have been playing for a little over 5 years and this is the best od I have played on with the exception of a Menatone Fish Factory which sounds excellent as well. Compared it to a Fulltone OCD which is a great pedal but the fulldrive 2 is a better value. If it were stolen I would definately replace it.

Easy enough to use. Even without a manual, with a bit of finicking you'll figure it out.

I'm loving it. As far as it being a solidstate (read: zero maintainance) stompbox, it sounds super! Even better than some tube pedals I've owned/tried.

Loved it with my Strat or my Yamaha Mike Stern to playing jump, swing & blues music. That was initially why I bought it. I dunno, just sounds very... Organic.

Found a new use for it recently! Classic 70s Rock!!! AC/DC all the way! Here's my set-up SG into FD2 into Laney TF200 (hybrid amp - tube preamp / ss poweramp). I switch the Laney to OD2 with the gain set to about 3, then kick in the FD2 with the gain on about 4. FABULOUS for AC/DC riffing! Then kick in the boost set to about 6 for solos!

Classic SG bark, baby! And that's another thing I like about this pedal... It lets your guitar's natural sound ring through.

I am lo-ving it! I've got tons of OD and distortion pedals, but this one's been my NO.1 for the past 2 years.

I could probably throw it off a cliff and use it to play rugby, stomp on it and I'll bet you a 100$ it'll still work.

Haven't dealt much with the company, but I bought my pedal second hand. E-mailed them for a manual and got a reply within 1hr. Good enough.

Anything from country, blues to classic rock. For blues it can do those nice and fat Robben Ford tones.

Like I said: my no.1 pedal for the past two years. This one's a definite keeper!

4 knobs, one puch pull. All are well defined and have very easily distinguishable effects on the tone of the instrument. The manual is very informative, although I thank experimentation for my understanding of the pedal.

It can push a tube amp to a full throated bark or drive to a smooth violin like sustain. I use a Les Paul Class 5 with Lollar Pickups straight through the TR100 into a Savage Blitz 50 head and old Marshall 4x12 cab. I also use the TR100 to record on the Les Paul or Fender strat though a 60's Harmony (single 6v6) amp through a solid Celestion G10. Essentially, sounds like the ones I get have most likely been produced before, but very rarely. The sound this pedal can creat alone will keep you playing for days at a time. This pedal works so well with the amp youd think it was a part of it.

Never had a problem.

Ive heard he's a great guy, but no first hand experience.

If this pedal were stolen I would cry. I would probably look for a 1990's fulldrive two and hope it compared. This is a very musical pedal and it has essentially broadened the horizons of my tone all on its own.

Even with minimul pedal overdrive or amp experience you are up and running in minutes without reading a manual. Straight forward, just experiment with the amp model switches and four knobs and you'll find what you're looking for very quickly. The manual gives a couple of basic settings to get you going - just working off those is a good starting point. My Mesa Boogie Triaxis preamp has 8 modes of clean / overdrivs, and this pedal adds at least two more that do not exist in the Boogie - that can easily be combined with the Boogie sounds for even more flexibility.

This is not a heavy metal or hard rock pedal in my opinion - it shines more in the blues, fusion, jazz overdrive arenas, i.e. Robben Ford, Larry Carlton sides of music. The sound is not agressive or huge like a Marshall stack - instead it's more like a botique combo amp that sells for 10+ times it's price. Very quiet, lots of sustain, mid-range sweetness, or that elusive touch sensitive breakup dumble-like quality. It's probably more satisying to experienced players with a refined ear looking to dial in that range of touch sensitive sustain and breakup that retains the guitar tone on top of the grind instead of the reverse.

It's built like a tank, and the quality is obvious the instant you take it out of the box. The knobs are silky smooth and functional - meaning they do what they are labeled to do, in the way you would want or expect them to. There is every reason to believe you are getting what you paid for and then some - this is a hand-built product that far surpasses the qualtiy you get from the mass produced brands of gear - as it should be considering the price is somewhat higher. Looks like it will last for years of professional use and abuse - time will tell.

No opinion since I have not had to contact Fulltone so far.

I play funk, jazz fusion, aggressive blues, and jazz rock which this pedal is perfect for. I've been playing for over 35 years - the gear used with this pedal includes a Mesa Boogie Triaxis with the 20/20 power amp (also own a Stereo Simul Class 2 Ninety), TC G-Force Effects rack, Keeley Compressor, Keeley Mellow Wah, and an assortment of guitars including Gibson 335's, Fender Strats, etc. I would replace if stolen. I like my Triaxis overdrives, but this adds and extends tones that the Boogie is not capable of achieving - so for me, the more tones the better. I wish the sound were a little bigger / fatter, but the Boogie helps in that department - they have a sinergistic effect on each other.