Fulltone Full-Drive 2

The pedal is easy to use as long as you understand what it designed to work with and it's operating capabilites. This pedal is made for an individual who has a "Blackface style" amplifier, i.e. clean with reduced mids. The first gain stage is for mild overdrive and the boost channel is for lead playing. The pedal is not designed to provide heavy overdrive on the first gain stage, you can do this but when you hit the boost you will not get much of a volume increase. If you have a solid state amp or something which is not voiced like an old Fender chances are the pedal will not give you the results you want.

This is my 3rd Fulldrive, I owned an orange one and the first version with the comp cut. I like this pedal the best because it gives me all the features in one box. The key to this pedal is setting the 1st channel below 12 o'clock, higher settings will basically render the boost channel ineffective. I found that when using the tone control settings around 3 o'clock it produces an EL-34 tube type sound. To my ears this is a great sounding overdrive as it sounds very Marshall like and really sounds like a pushed amp. It generates or should I say passes a little less bass and you can make the highs a bit brighter or darker then the amp without the pedal on. It is not an overly bright pedal as it shouldn't be seeing it was designed and voiced to work with blackface Fenders. It doesn't clean up as well as my Blackstone Appliance pedal but I'm starting to consider this quality to be somewhat overrated. It is not a full out fuzz face tone but more of an old school Marshall or tweed amp. There is a little bit of highend fizz but not enough to make unhappy. Some say the bass is tubby, but if you have ever turned up a tweed amp to the point of breakup, you will actually see it represents the real thing pretty well.

I have never had any issues with Fulltone products that weren't handled in a totally professional manner. This pedal should fine.

Mike's been helpful when I had a problem.

I don't get all the slams on this pedal, no overdrive is perfect and everyone expects different things to happen when the plug something in, but give me a break slamming a pedal because you can't figure out how to use the controls. My advice is learn the capabilities of something before you slam it. Reserve your judgements until you know what it does for you and buy it because you have a blackface or similar amp. Don't buy the pedal because you want to make your solid state amp sound good, the pedal is not designed to operate with it. Instead of spending money based on reviews, read what the manufacturer was trying to do with the design, this will save you a lot of aggravation. The pedal has a certain kid of sound, it will not do modern metal, or scooped mid tones, it will however provide old school tones oozing harmonics and taste.

The manual is a good starting point. Go from there.

Im running a 93' American Standard Strat with a solid steel Tremelo block and Lindy Fralin pickups (late 50's early 60's style) with a base plate on the bridge and a 93' AM Tele with stock pickups through the pedal (FD2 Vintage Cream) into a Fender Hotrod Deluxe. The pedal isn't noisey, the clean setting is just that and the "crunch tones" are great.

I believe one could depend on it in when gigging, however, be sure to use a proper power supply with it or be sure to unplug the input jack from the pedal when taking breaks. This pedal is built right. The fit and finish is great and the solder joints looked good.

Don't know? From what I've read in some of the reviews, I don't think I want to. I do think the 5 year warranty with 1 year on the footswitches to the original owner speaks for itself.

The band I'm currently playing with plays old country, new country, southern rock and blues rock. I've been playing gutiar off and on since 1972. If the pedal were stolen or lost I would not replace it. There is nothing that I particulary love or hate about the pedal except the price. IMHO...This pedal doesn't do anything for me. I can achieve what I'm looking for right from my guitar into my amp. I was just wanting a little "more". It's for sale....I'm thinking about trying Fulltones "Fat Boost".

Four labeled knobs, two switches . . . come on . . .

59 RI strat -> Blackfinger -> FD2 -> 59 Bassman RI

The pedal adds a lot of guts and pushes my Bassman quite well, no complaints there, although I'm not raving. However, the following aspects of the pedal suck: 1) the tone control is scratchy and useful only after 3 oclock; 2) the distortion control is unresponsive; 3) the overdrive control is unresponsive. I tried it with the blackfinger off, no difference. I also tried 9 and 18V - don't let anybody tell you it makes any real difference, it does not. This pedal lacks character, mojo, vibe, true grit, etc. It's steril. It's really just an overrated boost. eBay time.

Just the problem with the scratchy tone pot.

The reputation is realllly baaaad, so I'm hoping never to have to call them.

Shop around. I will. There's no way this is the best overdrive, as many claim.

EAZY Does it! Stomp it, till it screams!!!!

If you got Fingers, most any box will do ok! This one is great because it eliminates most of that mid-range hump (honk) you get from a tube screamer. YET, It is still smooth.

Had it for three years. Still stomping!!!!

??????? never needed any!

Rock 'N' Roll!!!!!! 70's JMP Marshall 100 watter, 2/12 Jensen loaded cab. Tonebone Hot British. tuner and other stuff. playing 39 yrs. and still I hear! WOW!! Various guitars, one favorite (Zion). Lots of Amps, (Fender, Yamaha, Vox, Boogie, Marshall) this stomp works well with most all of them, especially TUBE! The most important thing about this stomp is that you have to have FINGERS!!!!!!!!! Fingers that have been moving for a long time. Don't matter about what you play (amp, guitar, stomps). It matters that you got fingers!!!

Go ahead, buy it! It is only money! It won't make you play better, for that you need FINGERS!!!! You guessed it!!!!

How easy is it to get a good sound out of it?
Couldn't be easier!

For guitars I have: 1968 ES345; 74 and 76 Strat with BillLawrence L-280's/290; 52 Tele RI with Lawrence 280's/290's; Gibson 75 and 89 LP standard with Fralins; 96 LP Ruby Gem with P-100's; 99 Blues Hawk with lace P-90's; Ric 350V63; Ric 660-12;
What setup are you using this with?
I am using Boss TU-2 Tuner>Fulltone Clyde wha>Fulltone FD2 Mosfet edition>Fulltone OCD>Fulltone Fat Boost>Barber Tone Press>Fulltone Supatrem>Fulltone Choral-Flange>H&K rotosphere>H&K replex.
What amp are you using it with?
I use either a Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb, Vibrolux, Super Reverb, or Twin Reverb.
The new Fulltone FD2 Mosfet edition just added a brand new dimension to the classic FDII. The dimension phatter, richer and totaly transparent. It allows a very clear and clean singing quality that the FDII was just missing before in my opinion. I believe Mike has found the missing link to the FDII. I believe this improvement will be as huge as the OCD. Mike Fuller is a guitar player, a very good guitar player who has a passion for his music, his guitars, his amps and his products. I believe Mike is always searching for the "next level" of tone nirvana and comes up with new and better solutions. His pedals, simply, sound great to my ears. These qualities attract me to the creators and builders of musical gear.

Can you depend on it?
Absolutly, 100% all the time! Fulltone makes products to last on the stage and during travel.
Would you use it on a gig without a backup?
Absolutly, 100% all the time!

Mike has always treated me very, very, well. It's amazing what happens when you treat people with respect.

I have been playing since 1964. I attended Berkee College of Music in the early 70's. I really enjoy Larry Carltons tone, Robben Ford's tone Danny Gatton, Eric Clapton, SRV, well you get the idea. Bottom line is with all great players they leave there tonal signature with us. I have come to learn how to create a signature tone for me using good quality gear. In my case I am using a combination of guitars, pickups, guitar cable, qualty electronics in the guitars, amps speakers and pedals to acheive a satisfactory tone.
Let's face it there is a huge choice of great pedals out there. Over the past 4 years,I personally have been very satisifed with Fulltone's products and service. I think the new CustomShop FD2 Mosfet edition is a great improvment. Just check one out.
Have fun and all the best to Mike Fuller and the Fulltone Crew!

I've owned this pedal for 3 days now. 5 minutes of tweaking and anyone can find useful settings. Very easy to use

I use a PRS Custom 24 and switch from single to double coil quite frequently playing in a cover band. I've recently had my old Fender twin get a complete point to point re-build with high end foil-in-oil caps and loaded with Weber Alnico Chicagos. The problem was, I still had to tote my old Boogie to clubs I played just for A-B 'ing it with the Twin for the songs which required more high gain leads and crunchier rhythms. I generally used two T-9s with the 808 mod in the Twin but the high end always seemed to roll off with that amp. With the twin, soloing in the upper register always sounded "plinky" when using the tube screamers. The fulltone allows for a very transparent overdriven tone without sacrificing the high end - particularly in the "FM" mode, which is my personal favorite. Its what I've been looking for. For the chiropractor bills it will save me by leaving my Boogie at home and using only the twin, its worth every dime.

I only owned it for three days...

n/a

My old twin with the oil caps is the holy grail of tone. This unit makes a one dimensional amp into a 3 modal, extremely versitile rig. In my thirty five years of playing, I've always been of the opinion that the best overdrive or lead sounds start with the best clean sounds. I still love my tube screamers, but this adds another dimension of versitility to my set-up. Kudo's to Fulltone, they've produced a very transparent, sweet sounding overdive which fully emulated an overdriven tube complete with sweet singing harmonics in the boost mode. Its exactly what I've been looking for. My suggestion to all the budding guitarists that read and write in Harmony Central - stop trying to sound like everyone else and enjoy the ride. The quest for new and better tones is something that should never stop. Stevie never stopped trying new gear. The Fulltone is a great additional to anyone's arsenal.

Product is self-explanatorym just plug in and play. Straightforward, simple design.

I use a Fender Eric Clapton Strat into a Marshall DSL 100 half stack. The pedal does not work. I think it is defective. It does not change the guitar signal at all. One of the switches does not work at all, the other turns on the red LED but does not effect the signal.

This pedal either was damaged in shipping or was defective when it left Fulltone. It never worked for me.

The dealer told me to deal directly with Fulltone, so I E-mailed them. My E-mail was answered in person by Mike Fuller himself. He was hostile and unprofessional. He indicated that if there was a problem with the pedal, it must be my fault, and I probably used the wrong power supply with it. He told me he did not have time to look at it, and that I must deal with the dealer I bought it from. I was very disappointed to find that he does not stand behind his product, and I let him know it. The dealer finally refunded my money after I let him know how unprofessional Fulltone's correspondence was and how Fulltone refused to honor their warranty.

Play everything from jazz to blues to hard rock. I've been playing over 35 years, thought this would be a good pedal, probably would be if it worked. I will probably get a Maxon pedal, I hear they are good.
If Fulltone had been even the least bit helpful with my problem, I would give them a good review. But all this purchase did was waste my time.

The manual is extremely helpful in giving you the general direction and the rest is up yo your ears.

Just so you know what type of setup I like this pedal with...
Guitars...
'91 deluxe Plus
'94 Deluxe Plus w/ Ebony fretboard
Amps...
HRDLx--> modded heavily w/ Jensen C12N
'82 Concert w/EV(mama mia!)
'82 Deluxe Reverb II w/Jensen C12N

This pedal really shines IMO. I A/B'd it next to about 7 different type Tube Screamers, even original ones and still liked this tone better. If you are looking for over-the-top distortion then this pedal is NOT for you. If you are looking for a boost with sustain/creeping, controllable feedback, this is it. Original rock and covers by Widespread Panic, Phish, Dead, Tom Waites, JJ Cale, etc, etc...I'm starting to just use this pedal over the amplifiers own overdrive channel.
Settings are Volume 9:00 Tone 12:00 OD 12:45 Boost (This one goes to Eleven! All the way up)
Another great feature of this pedal is that if you like the sound of your amps without any pedals as I do(see Concert II above), you can make this pedal just a boost, for that extra uumph! you need when soloing.

So far so good. It is built with heavy duty components. I would use it without a backup b/c as I said earlier, I like the overdrive on my amp, period.

Never had the pleaseure...

Been playing about 16 years and I really think if you are not looking for DISTORTION, you would be remiss to not check out this pedal, it screams...
I would certainly buy again.

Well covered, this is the new one, with the threeway switch.

I use teles exclusively, one maple board with a b-bender and fralins, one with rio grandes and a rosewood board. I use a boogie lonestar, and run a pedal board that has, Vht valvulator, dunlop 535Q, Fd2, homebrew compressor, Eh small stone, line6 dl4, and a volume pedal. I am writing because I think people are misjudging what this pedal is for. First, this IS NOT A HIGHGAIN pEDAL!!!! That's what the dp1 or his fuzzes are for. Mike clearly stated that this is meant to be a low gain overdrive. If you keep this in mind, and don't max the drive knobs out, you're on the right track. Second, this pedal is very picky with what amps it will work with. I owned a twin reissue, a piece of garbage amp, and sold a fulldrive because it was too fizzy with the twin. I then borrowed a buddy's Fd2 when I had my carr rambler, and fell in love with it. It likes certain amps, and doesn't like others. I'm sure that, into a vintage amp, this pedal screams. Through my boogie which is more of a dumble-style amp than any other boogie, it provides a nice boost, or a mild overdrive, perfect for country leads. If I want high gain, I use my boogie's od channel and use the fd to kick it over the top. So, in short, I feel that reviews of this pedal are going to vary based on what amp and guitar it's going through. I will say that a quality tube amp, and guitar are essential, and it seems to like single coils more than humbuckers.

I've opened this thing up, and it really looks like there was some serious time spent in putting it together. Hats off to Mike and team for building a rugged box.

I've not dealt with them, but I immagine he'll stand by his products, as long as he's not bothered by some ridiculous questions or complaints. I read on his site that someone tried to feign sickness or cancer to get a free pedal out of him, and threatened to smear his name all over if he didn't cooperate. I say let Mike make his pedals in peace, and don't expect him to be your longlost best friend, and you'll be happier in the end.

I just want to say again, take reviews with a grain of salt. I personally had to find the right combo, but when I did, the fd2 was perfect. I like the fact that it's a dark pedal, not too muddy or bright, and it's exactly what I've been looking for.

Simple controls. Volume, Tone, Drive, Boost.

I've tried a couple of these FullDrive pedals and found them to be highly overrated. The tone is surprisingly muddy and lifeless. I play an EMG-equipped Strat and a Tele with Lindy Fralins running into a MB MK-III or a modded Fender Blues Jr. This pedal seems to sap the life out of the tone regardless of which amp/guitar combination I run. Even with tone pot at 100%, the pedal seems to cut the high-end a lot. Anything less than 100% is just not usable. I tweaked the settings as best as I could with Volume-10:00, Tone-5:00, Overdrive-10:00, Boost-10:00. I played it this way for about a dozen gigs, but finally gave up on the pedal altogether.

The first one was reliable for the couple of months that I owned it. The second one, however, had one of the pots go bad almost immediately. Very scratchy. Flushing with contact cleaner didn't help. Unfortunately, since I didn't buy it directly from FullTone, no warranty.

As others have discovered, Mike Fuller is a very unpleasant person to deal with. The one time that I contacted him (asking about repair charges on the above-mentioned defective pot) he was curt and rude and ultimately didn't answer my question. Others may view this as the eccentricities of a wise person, but I do not. Considering how many other companies are building similar/better products (Paul Cochrane, Voodoo Lab, Barber, Maxon, Visual Sound, etc.) there is no room for this lack of professionalism.

A mixture of jazz and blues and I have been playing since 1976. Because of the reasons already mentioned, I got rid of the FullDrive and replaced it with a Barber pedal. It's unlikely that I'll ever purchase another Fulltone product.