Fulltone MDV-2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is the best Univibe clone ever.

The unit features controls for Intensity of the effect, switches for chorus or vibrato, vintage or modern, and an output volume control. There is also a large treadle which controls cancel and speed of the effect.

This is why the MDV-2 is the best Vibe clone (more on the sound later). The original Univibe had a speed control pedal that also functioned as an effect cancel when the pedal was rocked back all the way to the slow setting and the heel switch was engaged. This was the right way to do it, but the original was very large. Its guts were in a large AC powered box, with a separate proprietary speed/cancel pedal that plugged into the box. It was a pretty fragile setup.

The first Vibe clones such as the Prescription Ultravibe and the Fulltone Dejavibe were in regular stompbox format; they sounded great but were stomp on/off only, and an ordinary hand knob preset the speed. This is the way most Vibe clones still work, and is fine for most players who use it as an on/off accent to their sound. I held off buying one because I use it like Jimi did, on the fly, and a simple on off switch wouldn't cut it. But these clones did solve the true bypass problem and they were more rugged than the original.

The Dunlop Rotovibe did have a one-piece pedal with speed treadle in a package the size of a wah, but it wasn't true bypass, it didn't sound quite as authentic, and it's cancel switch was in the front like a wah, so when you stepped on it, it was going full speed ahead . . . no good for playing on the fly.


The next generation Fulltone Deja Vibe 2 had true bypass and a speed treadle, but you had to stomp on the separate on/off switch and then move your foot to the treadle to work the speed. Advantage over the original Univibe if you like preset speeds, harder to manage on the fly in the middle of Voodoo Child, a Slight Return. Plus the unit was very large and was AC powered. I had a DV-2 for ten years and it was a very good effect.

Along came the Mini Deja Vibe which miniaturized the circuit so it would fit into a smaller stompbox, but it had no speed pedal. I guess someone at Fulltone figured out that if you can miniaturize the circuit to stompbox size, it would fit into a wah pedal . . .

NOW, Finally, 40 years after the debut of the original, we have a TRUE BYPASS, heel switch activated Univibe clone. This is accomplished by the heel switch activating a true bypass relay. (I've seen the schematic on the original Univibe; its cancel switch just turned off the lamp, so your sound always passed through all the guts of the unit.) This feature alone makes the MDV-2 worth the price of admission. The taper of the speed pot feels correct. The unit is supremely easy to use; it's small enough to fit onto a pedal board; it solves all the problems of the original. The miniaturization of the circuit did not compromise the sound.

It's powered by a 9v regulated power supply or pedalboard supply such as the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power. Voltage is stepped up to the correct 18v internally. The older DV-2 had an internal AC power supply. This one will run off your pedal board, so it's an improvement.

But how does it sound? Well, I had one of the first DV-2 units to come out in '99, the one with the separate swtich and pedal. It sounded authentic but I ran it with Intensity set to 10 always; it felt like it needed to go to 12 or 13. But this one has more than enough range of intensity. It feels like it does go to 13. And it produces waves of groovy asymmetrical psychedelia like you hear from Hendrix, Trower, Gilmour. It has the correct balance between phasy sound and bass throb. NOTE: this is NOT a chorus pedal. Many younger magazine writers (who grew up on Nickelback rather than Hendrix) try this and say, Ooh, it's a strange kind of chorus. No. It has its own thing going. The sound is an improvement over my DV-2.

"Vintage" is that swampy Univibe swirl we love to hear from Jimi and Robin; "Modern" is more of a full range sound. Both are useful but I prefer Vintage for those authentic Woodstock tones.

The only niggle is that there's a slight "pop" whenever you engage or disengage the cancel switch. That's the true-bypass relay doing that. It'll be a problem for recording, but live, when you're doing "Hear my Train a-Comin'" nobody should notice.

It sounds better with single coil pickups than with humbuckers, but either is useful. That's just the nature of univibes Ahead of a good overdrive or fuzz and it's better than illegal drugs. Run it into an old Marshall with a Strat and it's Jimi.

I'm giving it a ten.

The unit is built into the same format as the Fulltone Clyde wah. It is a heavy gauge welded steel enclosure, finished in a glossy cream colored coating. The treadle is covered with Fulltone's rubber pad (no more skateboard tape!). The treadle is adjustable for pivot tension. My Clyde is indestructible and I assume this will be also. Internal wiring looks like something built for the military and is ultra-clean. It's built like Farung Chareerak. It should last forever with reasonable care.

Fulltone's customer support varies in my experience buying spare parts; the good news is that as well built as their stuff is, you probably won't need it.

I traded in a DV-2 to get this. For sound, build quality and ease of use, it's a steal at the $295 list price. This unit will appeal to players seeking classic sixties Univibe sounds; more modern players will probably pass. If Jimi Hendrix were still alive he'd be playing this unit.

Put that old Vibe clone up on Ebay and get one of these now.

I say 10 for "fantastic value" although it does cost considerable money, because you get so much for the money you do spend.

VERY straight forward. Finally, a proper Uni-vibe remake with the cancel funtion on the heel. Some people don't like that but I have been waiting for someone to do this method for many years. I think this feature is what sets it apart from all the other vibe clones. Other than that it has the normal intensity, volume knobs and a set of mini toggles for the chorus/vibrato and modern/vintage.

I'm mainly playing a Paul or a EJ strat through the MDV-2 so far. I have Roger Mayer 9090A wah, wh-1 whammy, Fuzz Face, Octavio, Jmp-1, Mxr Flanger/Doubler, Maxon analog delays and chorus. Blah blah, Then finally a/b between a 50W Marshall Plexi for dirty and Fender Bassman and BandMaster blkface heads. I have HAD and still have MANY vibe clones and have two original Shin-ei units. Others include, Dunlop UV-1, Deja Vibe 96', Foxrox Provibe, RM Supervibe,VooDoo Vibe, Black Cat Vibe, Sobbat Glow-Vibe, RotoVibe, Resry-Tone. I have mental problems! I needed the MDV-2 like a hole in the head but it is by far my favorite! This is my third Fulltone vibe. I got rid of my Deja-vibe 2 because of the separate on/off switch and plus it was too throbby and bass heavy as was the regular Deja that i had. I think he has the tone way more dialed in with his newer models. Nails the original Japan Uni-Vibe as far as the funtion and the sound. My only complaint is i could use about two to three more percent on the fast speed. My Shin-ei units seem to have a little more. I tried to adjust the dual pot w/ the gear, but it is already designed to use the full throw of the pot. It not really enough to ruin the moment. Only useful if you "rainbow bridge'n" with the random fast speed stuff. Slow speed are awesome and you can still hear modulation unlike alot of other clones. I prefer the "vintage" setting. Works very well with both my distortion tones and wah. You can set it even with or signal or turn the volume up for a little more kick. Also, hardly any lag time when the effect is engaged like with most true vibes. As soon as you turn it on it's happenin which is very cool. Thumbs up all the way on the sound of this pedal, Mike Fuller's BEST by far!

SOLID!! The shell is burly gauge metal and seems tank proof. I'm not sure how many cycles the relays have for the true bypass, but i'm sure they'll last a long time. If it got stuck ON at a gig i wouldn't complain!

I started bugging at an early age when Mike would just answer the tele when you'd call the Fulltone number. He was always cool and listed about an idea. that was 95', 96' and i'm sure he's alot more busy now. When i was 17 all i wanted was a Deja-Vibe w/ a cancel on the heel. Now I'm 32 and finally got one! I can imagine having a problem with Fulltone pedal. Thanks Mike!

Of course i love all the uni-vibe users in rock, Hendrix/Trower, ect. This pedal is very musical and is fun to use. I would for sure buy again if it were stolen. The bypass on this model is what made me have to have it. There's nothing like putting you foot on it and it comes on with any stomping. True to the original. Fulltone should make a Clyde wah with the same feature. If you want a true Shin-ei remake, don't fool around and take it from me, this is the ONE.

Very easy to get an incredible sound. Think EXACT Trower sounds and perfect Pink Floyd vibe sounds. Have a cigar or Bridge of sighs? No problem. I was always fiddling with the Microvibe and other vibe pedals. With the MDV-2, you are dialed in within seconds.
The Vintage and Modern switch is pretty good too. More apparent at louder volumes. But definitely more apparent than most other pedals with the similar switch. One page manual......don't need it, but very informative.

This is one of the best pedals I have purchased ever. Big statement since I have gone through at least close to 100 pedals. Lately, I have been on a quest for good Univibe type pedal. I bought the Microvibe after looking at around 20 univibe type videos. Also, I previously got the Dunlop Univibe. Both were okay and the Microvibe won a place on my pedal board, but was just dethroned by the MDV-2!
To me, a mark of a good univibe pedal is to run a distortion after it. Think Bridge of sighs type distortion. This thing shines when being distorted. Very good bass response. Doesn't get muddy, just more balsy if you know what I mean.

Have had it for 2 days, no problems.

Have never called them for a problem.

Playing mostly classic rock and blues at this time. Lately have been copying some of Trower's songs which is why I'm so stoked on this pedal. He uses one, why not I?
Been playing for 30 years. I have tons of gear and this pedal is on the top of the heap as far as my pedals go. I have some Fulltone gear like the Tube Tape Echo and the OCD. Both very good effect devices. What this pedal does though is "inspire" me to play. And for a unique pedal (unlike a delay or reverb) I will have to force myself to use it sparingly!!! No wonder Trower used his so much....if you have a great vibe pedal, yer in heaven dude.

Very easy to use. same basic functiona as any good Univibe clone. i like the heel relay (I voted for it). there is however a small clicking sound when it turns on and off. nothing that would be that noticable live with everyone else blarring. Not nearly as annoying as a true bypass pop. pretty straiaght forward. The 9 is for this and because you have to be carefull not to hit it foward going for the wah or whatever. Boo freakin' hoo it's wayyyy cool.

I have owned many vibes of various brands and 6 Fulltone (keep coming back) old ones, mini, stereo, Deja 2......I know what i'm talking about here. Some just have Mojo and others you could mess with the bulb brightness/balance untill you're crazy
This one has Mojo. It seems to have better balance between the phase and throb. Also, I noticed that the whole sweep range is usable. I mean the volume doesn;t seem to boost as the speed increases. Maybe it's just acid damage on my part and i"m hallucinating but i swear it was engineered that way. Maybe the NOS transistors Mikes bragging about?

I use a pretty straight forward rig: tricked out Bassman reissue(Cryo tubes with 12AY7 in V-1, weber copper cap, and London power scaling mod which allows me to run it at any voltage(mostly 400v)I'm not stuck with the 450v. 2 fender strats with Callaham hardware, choice pedals (hartman, Analog man, fulltone.....blah blah.

I run it after my wah and before distortion/OD.

this is all that i hoped it would be.

I step on it and it holds up my big fat arse. It's very heavy duty.
I only worry about the heel relay but time will tell and I trust Mike to stand behind it.

I gig weekly and have hungry kids. I get paid to play and stop at the grocery store on the way home. I'm not laying down this kinda dough for a show piece/ collectable. Not buying the Obama plate either. It has to work everytime. I had to save for it, no backup. If it breaks I'll set my phase and trem special for Machine Gun LoL. Great fake!

If you're playing for free or sit in your bedroom with no Fletcher Munson Curve...spare me the lesson on sound quality and durability.
Road damage is not the scratch your mom put in it with the Dyson ball vac.

I emailed him a few times, sometimes i get an awnser, sometimes not. I get the feeling he's really busy, you can get all gushy about that guy in a basement who churns out 15 pedals in a month and goes back and forth with you for a week to buy his tubescreamer copy. whatever. Hmmm that's not Mike Fuller.

besides the sound i love the size of this. I got used to my Deja 2 so there was no going back from the treadle but.... it was huge and took up like 40% of my board. This rules the Vibe world right now if you can find one..