Fulltone OCD

I have version 3.0, manufactured in April 2007.

This pedal is extremely easy to use. Volume, Gain and Tone knobs, that's it. There are two modes that can be selected with a toggle switch: HP & LP. HP sounds more British, very much like a vintage Marshall Plexi. LP is more of an American Overdrive, like a cranked up Fender. I personally like the HP mode more, but they are both great. The HP seems to be slightly louder, but I think that's because it accents the higher frequencies.

The only thing I would caution anybody with this pedal is that the volume control is very touchy. There's a lot of headroom and it can get away from you really quickly. I leave my volume setting around 9 o'clock, and my gain and tone are both at 12:00 o'clock. This seems to be a pretty good setup for me so far, but I've got plenty of room to adjust as necessary.

In short, this pedal sounds GREAT!

I play various Strats (single-coils & humbuckers) into a Koch Multitone 2x12 Combo. The only effects I use are (in order) a Budda Wah, a Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, the Fulltone OCD Overdrive and then amp. I use a TC G-Major rack processor in the parallel effects loop of the Koch for some subtle delay, but that's it.

I have been playing for 30 years. I have had this pedal for about two months, so I've had time to get used to it. I bought this pedal to give my amp channels a little push over the edge and that's what it does perfectly.

I have posted several sound samples on my web site and you can hear eveything in action (www.mjriley.com)

This pedal is built the way pedals should be built...solid! I've got it mounted on a pedalboard with velcro, but it comes with some nice clear silicone no slip-feet which are a real nice added touch.

The knobs and pots are all heavy duty. I like the fact that the knobs are somewhat 'stiff' and don't flop around when you come into contact with them.

Very solidly built. Great design.

Haven't had to deal with them, don't expect to.

This is a great pedal. I've tried and owned several other overdrive pedals and this one has proven to be the best. It's really brought out the best of my amp and tone. It allows me to get huge tones and feedback at a lower level without shattering my eardrums or windows.

I would recommend this pedal to anyone looking for a good clean overdrive with plenty of volume and gain to spread around.

Nice job, Mr. Fuller!!!

Very easy to use. There's a one page instruction sheet aht comes with the OCD. But, just plug it in and let your ears do the work. Very simple my 11 year old son uses it!!

Awesome tones! I don't know what "ItDoesn'tMatter's" gripes are about. It's obvious he's very disgruntled or jealous with Mike Fuller's company..

Aside for that, the OCD does everything I'm looking for in sound. No altered or muddy tones. I'm personally not into pedals or pedal boards to try to emulate an artist or group. So the sound I'm looking for comes from my amp and guitar. I too have an "expensive amp" and strive for a certain sound. The OCD doesn't alter that sound in any way especially when playing slide guitar.

Do yourself a favor and test drive the OCD if you're serious. You won't be disappointed. Let your ears decide for you.

Very strong construction. The pots that are used in the OCD are pots used on high end amps. They're not cheap pots.

Hasn't needed repairing.

I don't issue "10" on products. In my opinion, this box deserves a 12.

The features have all been listed, ad nauseum. Being a user of highend tube amps, (the $2k and over stuff) the OCD is no where close to the tone of quality tube overdrive, saturation, etc. (Preamp or power amp section).

The OCD's main and worst function is that it is great boost pedal, if you like an unusable level of boost that won't be tolerated by band mates or in a live setting.

I gave this a rating of 3 based on the sweep of the volume only being usable below 9 o'clock. (The rise after that is obscene). The tone knob is the most usable feature but the drive is less than stellar after the 12 o'clock position and uneeded below. More tone sucking than enghancing actually. The LP/HP mini-toggle is best discribed as "less mud, more mud".

The actual footswitch is the type that gives a "pop" when ingaged or disingaged and with today's technology, even in analog pedals, there is no need to use this type of component, by-pass or otherwise. This feature alone makes this pedal unusable for recording if the need to switch is required during live tracking.

The box looks cool, if that is your thing.

It doesn't sound anything like Brittish amps of any kind, vintage tones or some other overused industry phrase and it detracts from quality tube tone-saturation. Please keep in mind that my criticism is not from the so called honeymoon period one way or the other.

I have had the pedal for awhile and have tried to like it and yes I have tried moving in every position of the chain or alone, and with 7 different amps and I still don't like it. I also don't hate it, I just didn't hear the results from it that were so hyped in the first place. I use power conditioners, Mogami, George L's, etc. so it's not the cables either.

I'm actually quite pissed because I want to like it based on Fulltone's web presentation and the general internet buzz. I should know better by now, especially having an arsenal of great amps and instruments at my disposal.

Pedal's of any level, especially overdrive, distortion, etc. become more of a liabiliy at some point but I was hopefull that the OCD would be an ehancement. It wasn't and isn't, and even ain't and it should've.

In addition, I did try it on an old but excellent Westbury amp (the only solid state amp I own) which has a early plexi tone for recording and the OCD was slighly usefull in that application. Again however, the tone knob was the primary effect being utilized on the OCD. (I don't use EQ pedals because I don't need to anymore). The OCD seems to be an overpriced, one knob EQ pedal so maybe that's what your looking for. There are better boost pedals but that's not why I purchased the OCD.

I rated this a 4 because the tone knob is useable for tone shaping, but isn't that what EQ is for ?

The quality housing/case of this and many other pedals now on the market far exceed anything from the past. The OCD appears to be well made from a construction standpoint. However, a pretty face sure don't make no pretty heart.

If I don't like it, I won't use it, so in that case it should last a very long time, especially as a rarely used EQ pedal.

In an e-mail to Mikehole Fuller, in search of his advice, his reply was absolutely one of the most UNPROFFESIONAL replies from any manufacturer, ever, and I have been purchasing high end equipment for more years than I care to admit.

I was warned in advance that if he replies at all, he would be a total arse and not helpful, so in that regard, he succeeded. Why bother at all? His egotistical, nasty and negative customer service reputation preceeded him and was consequently, confirmed.

In total positive contrast, guys like Bob Sweet (Mojo Vibe) and others like Bob Weil, Roger Mayer (among many) reply within a day or two and make the effort to be helpful to THEIR CUSTOMERS.

Obviously Mikehole Fuller does not need anymore business and there are other and better manufactures (small and large) now available to musicians who create pedals that now exceed Fulltone's. Don't be lazy and follow the crowd or the hype. Do your homework and link in with manufactures that WANT your business and will work to EARN your loyalty.

We all must choose between being informed comsumers or prostitutes for the economy. You decide for yourself.

Lastly, I like Robin Trower, among many other artists who use this or that pedal, but Mr. Trower (or any developed artist) sound's like themself no matter what equipment they uses. Wake up !

If I could rate Fulltone's customer service any lower, I would.

The box looks cool, if that is your thing, but I already said that.

use this pedal as a boost--the overdrive is great, but this thing will add those harmonics that may be missing & give your amp overtones you may have thought weren't there

no noise. i use lp's & soapbars. the ocd can add some brightness as you desire. it really can juice your tone. it's the overtones you need to listen for. let your amp do most of the coloring--then add the ocd's harmonics until you find your color. you could make a 6L6 amp sound like an EL84 sound if you want. you may not want to use it with an amp that's already bright. but the tone control can take the highs & bring them down if you need. i like this pedal with a fender sound, & from what i know mike fuller has those older fenders, so when he makes a pedal, he's making it for his sound. it works good with a boogie lonestar too, which again in a way comes from a fender background

no problems or worries. i have 2--they are a bit different because they are about 2 years apart. no 2 things are ever really alike. one is a bit darker, which can work with a brighter amp. i like them both, & this can help with the room you're playing in--you know how that can be. when you try one out, listen for these qualities--& try different amps to get a feel for the colors

i haven't needed to contact fulltone. the ocd has worked fine from the start. i have had them both for about 2 years

i have been plying for 25 years. i would by it again if needed. the ocd is more of the flavor i've always looked for in an overdrive pedal. you could leave it on all night if you use it as a boost. the fulltone fat boost is a good pedal, but the ocd gives me the harmonics i like.

V3
This thing has great sounds right out of the box and on all settings. It had an HP (think Brit) and an LP (American)and both sound equally fantastic.

I lost the manual at Church (this is where I play w/ the praise band) because I was in such a hurry to try it out. I didn't even miss the manual it was so simple. I do wish I had kept the sticker - I am pretty proud to own this thing.

I play through a tuner-H2O Chorus/Delay - Digitech EX7 - Fulltone - BBE Sonic Stomp - EB volume - Marshal DSL401. My main guitar is an Epi-Dot(2002) or my Fender Am Deluxe Strat (1999).

I was amazed at the boost this thing gives you. I keep the volume at 9 o'clock and Drive at 10. However, I played around with the drive all the way down and the boost up at 2 o'clok and this thing really adds alot of tone to the sound.

It didn't add any noise to my setup and has a true bypass. When on, it still is deathly quiet. The best thing about this pedal is that it reacts to your pick attack fantastically. WOW!!

so far so good.

I play alot of different styles. This won't give you a rectifier sound, but that is not what I desire. If you want a great sounding OD with a very usable pallet of sounds, this is for you.

I have had Digitech tone Driver (tone killer), Boss GT-5 multiple, Behringer V-Amp - and a Digitech RP-7 and all moels and ODs I have used pail in comparison. This is my OD pedal - period.

Having been a long time fan and infatuated with the heavy tones and sonic variants Robin Trower has contributed. I started becoming interested in Fulltone after seeing Robin's new effect line is all Fulltone. After playing some 30 years I have never been happy with stock distortions and a lot of pedals and I have used and played a lot of them over the years from ultra vintage Univibe to modern modeler units. Fulltone is the best. After deciding to move to this line I opted for the OCD as Robin stated it was the best he had heard. The Distortion Pro and Soul Bender are much more intense he uses for dramatic effect on some lines.

The OCD is self explanatory and the sheet manual offers recommended twists for various purposes. Fuller is a genius, period. Finally a player who knows what mods and design sound better!

Basically plug the pedal in and start adjusting. I recommend your best clean channel tone and go from there. Bad sounds do not come out of this box. I am supposed to have the new version 3 model but I have not got a clue on how to make sure this is certain other than trusting Humbucker who I ordered it from. UPS 2 day air and it was here. Marvelous.

I just got a new amp the Carvin V3, with vintage cabinet and it is truly an underestimated amp. Marvelous tones I am getting. I am using my Carvin DC400 which has split coil switches and an active clean boost preamp when desired. Playing this unit through my chain which is at present Amp front DC400 Carvin, DOD Extreme Envelope Follower, Vai Bad Horse Wah, OCD into Carvin V3 head and Carvin 4x12 vintage cab. Loop 1 is running at present my reissue Univibe and Boss DDL (not so happy with either right now hope to replace with Fulltone units). Loop 2 on the amp I have set up as a clean boost using the loops volume adjust this makes the V3 sound incredible.

At once on the LP setting this box sounded most promising with gain around 9 and tone around 10 to smooth it out. I gave just wait I was wanting to hear, the dynamic response distortion boxes just don't have. Fuller recommends running a higher voltage than 9 if you can to make the pedal headroom come out more. I am using a 12v supply Radio Shack model as it seems you can't find the older adjustable voltage ones anymore. 12 was as high as I could get. The immediate sound of this unit was impressive it is dynamic to signal input and cleans up and distorts with signal level. In the case of my beautiful DC400 I use the split coil at neck which gives me a nice strat tone I kick on the on-board pre-amp when I want clean boost from the guitar.

Works so well with the OCD unit I was amazed. My wah also sounded great with the unit and I also found my envelope follower sounds great and even in combination with the wah worked very well. Articulate and pure tone. I am also playing detuned as Robin does a full step down might add to my over all better tone as well. Those who complain about the V3 should try this. I was always a dropped D or on 440 guy and when I tried this I just loved how much easier it was to play. The OCD apparently likes it. Running a higher voltage at 12 is also adding to the pedals dynamic. It can take 18 but I am not into batteries and chaining them.

Its all about opinion kids and as everyone knows everyone has one. Having played for many years from the heaviest blues to the hardest metal I know what I like in tone. This pedal I think sounds best for me in the LP mode as booster but it always just makes the tone come alive just what I was looking for. I get tube saturation gain more than most amps can do with the V3. I used to love my Marshall JCM 2000 but his amp is better and does so much more.

The OCD HP mode cranks up the units distortion for the higher gain crowd. I am not so fond of pedal distortion, I mean how long do you need to play before your gain is no longer tone by over the top saturation for bad playing?

This unit on clean channel makes great gain tones by adjusting the knobs. It sounds better than anything else I have tried to use, more musical and articulate.

I can use the LP mode on my high gain channels and it does not mush out my sound but rather helps the distortion have more life and tonal quality. Everything is dependent upon amp. speakers and guitar and you can't expect a pedal to solve your shit tone problems but truly the OCD is going to help you a lot. I think it is the best pedal I have ever had and I cannot wait to try and get more of the line. I wish he would get his hands on an old Mutron III and develop his version, that would be heaven.

The OCD has incredible volume output, Fuller states it is 30db. I have two clean amp boosts and my guitar pre-amp so I have incredible ability to adjust my sound. If you're a new player I can see how you might like the Metal Zone of something like that, you can mod those pretty good. But after you play a number of years one looks for tone more than just gain. How much gain do you need. Tone is the thing and the OCD brings that to the table. Obsessive Compulsive Drive by the way is the name. I love it, could not be happier. I cannot imagine how anyone could get bad sound out

Fuller makes very high quality high end gear. The best components switches (true bypass) even his battery gets shut off when using the phantom power. The knobs are delightfully hard to turn and have that nice quality feel to them. Super heavy box, doesn't get any better. I have had effects for years I cannot see why this one will not last probably longer.

I have not talked to them but I would really like to put the idea in Mike's head to create a new Mutron III envelope unit he would make it amazing I am sure. I have read everything from the web site and have not called them. Its a small company and they are busy as hell I would imagine. Fulltone is the best, I cannot see how much of anything else really can compete with them. Open them up and check out the way its built and the components.

I cannot rate this catagory because I have had no reason to contact them.

As I said above I have been playing about 30 years or more and I know what sounds good. The OCD stays on all the time in my line I cannot say that of anything. It made my already amazing amp sound better and gave me the beautiful strat tones I was looking for in that Daydream Univibe land. It distorts very well but very musically just by touch and guitar boost. I do not use it for the HP higher gain issues but it does that better than other pedals I have. Those complaining it sounds to digital or stiff need to twist around some more roll the highs off and such. I love it I did not find any bad tones and it can distort like the best amp tone I have ever heard. Fuller made this box after the idea of the smaller amps that have great tone like Jimmy's recording setups and such. I found it to be able to produce an intense musical gain distortion I like better than the other ones I have and heard. I like it for the LP tone enhancement quality but it can gain up on HP as much as anyone should need. I mean really is it playing or just hitting the guitar with your violin? I find the HP gain sounds great when you roll off the highs a little, very smooth to fizz if you want it. I like a heavy low end distortion with articulation of notes on the high end. The OCD is a welcome addition and has sold me on the line in general. I paid $180 for it and its worth it. Buy it do yourself a favor and for god sake twist some knobs and try some new settings, experiment. If you get bad sound out of this I suggest a major overall especially speakers. And really look into Carvin their guitars and amps are great I have been using them for years. The Marshall is gone but the V3 rules the hill.

Pretty simple, all knobs are self explanatory! One thing I like about this pedal is that the knobs are more stiff than other botique pedals so that there is no chance that your guitar cable can accidentally move your settings while playing. Another feature is that if your using an AC adaptor the battery stays fresh and won't draw power from the battery.

This is where the OCD shines! The equipment I used to test the OCD are as follows: Carvin Belair 2x12 amp, Fender American Stratocaster Hardtail with a Seymour Duncan Jr. JB in the bridge (mini-humbucker). Very responsive in every setting. You can get that SRV sound to the AC/DC sound! With the HD and LD settings it's like having two pedals in one. It nails the British sound in the HD setting while maintaining your natural guitar settings on the LD setting. You can also get a bit of a "scooped" sound on the LD setting and a bit of a mid-boost on the HD setting. HD=Marshall or Vox and Twin or Tweed on LD setting. The best feature on this pedal without a doubt is that you can keep this pedal on and get a clean, Texas Blues and a Fat overdrive/distortion just by using your guitar volume knob.

Effect is very quiet and built solid. Yet to play it live. I just got it but spen several hours getting some great tones! More to explore with more time.

I was really happy with my existing sound using the Xotic pedals for example: AC Booster and RC Booster pedals, but I was seeking some additional tonal flavors. The OCD fits the bill. The OCD can give you all the ballsy distortion and overdrive you need for most of your sound needs. Using the RC Booster in front of the OCD is a great addition adding volume boost and some extra grit if needed! I'll also continue to use the AC Booster for that signature smooth violin-like lead tone. The pedal the OCD replaced was my VooDoo Lab Sparkle Drive. I was getting a better SRV tone from the OCD hands down. In summary, if you are looking for a pedal with a lot of tonal options for you, this may be a great choice for your tonal arsenal. I highly recommend this pedal. The pick sensitivity and tones you get from just your volume knob will amaze you! Check it out! Rock on!!!

I wanted to add something to my previous review. Ivae OCD version 1. I read reviews that state the OCD doesn't get good distortion. I disagree because it gets a wide range from boost to overdirve to awesome distortion (subjective I know). I recently bought an Xotic AC booster and put it in front of the OCD. I turned on the OCD with the AC booster on and wow.... Creamy distortion oozed out of the OCD. I discovered that having a punched up signal via the AC booster changed the characteristics of the OCD. It truly added another level of distortion versatility. Very cool!! It's a great pedal. I think you have to have an OCD in your chain. The question is what sounds better to your tatse -0 Version 1, 2 or 3. Someday I will get Version 3 just because I feel it has to be great beause it has a great lineage.

Easy to use, simple intuitive layout, effective controls. instructions minimal but are just enough to understand how it works.

I used this with a vintage strat and tele, both through a vintage Deluxe Reverb and a recent Crate V series 3112 with Tone tubby. Really it's own type of sound. Better used to drive an amp than as stand alone overdrive. Clean settings really effective. Overdrive leans more toward a fuzz than, say, a Tubescreamer. Higher drive levels become very creamy with alot of low end, but tone control adds highs that are on the harsh side. I foung it difficult to get much past a slightly broken up sound before loosing the best balance of highs, lows and mids. Very responsive to volume changes, attack and remains very clear until pushed into higher drive. It pretty much looses it there. Low pass-high pass switch is effective.

Seems very well made. Very quiet and solid. No issues with functional performance. Would feel confident that it is reliable.

Fulltone apparently has a reputation for making good products and having poor customer service. They offer various upgrades for some items, but never answered my emails. I eventually gave up on my inquiry, but would not have accepted that if I had a real problem.

I bought this from a dealer expecting a current model known as the Version 3. When I received the earlier V2, I gave it a really good try but didn't love it and ended up not keeping it. According to Fulltone's descrption of the changes to the newer version, I might be tempted to try another one as it seems to address what I felt were shortcomings. Would be nice to hear from them before I do it, though.

I have no problem getting very good rock sounds from the OCD. I own the original version. I think it is important to identify which version you are revewing because the Fulltone site explains the differences in components and sounds. Volume - Tone - Drive & a LP/HP mini toggle.

My fav artsist are Trower, Blackmore, Santana, Page, Townsend. I own Keeley modded Boss BD-1, DS-1 (Ultra Mod), VooDoo Lab Sparkle Drive Keeley modded TS-9 and others. The OCD is in a league of it's own in terms of transparency and tube amp like tone and versatility. I have many pedals because there is no such thing as the holy grail. All pedals offer unique characteristics and I appreciate all the pedals I own. I intend to buy the new Fulltone GT500 and perhaps the Fulldrive 2 Mosfet. The OCD has such an open sound. I find it to be very versatile. None of these other pedals mentioned above come close to it's transparency and tube amp like tones. With the drive at 100% on LP setting it gets a great natural amp like overdrive/distortion. Hit the HP setting and it simply increases the distortion level. Pull back on the drive and you get crunch or whatever OD setting you need. I doin't know if metalheads would be satisfied becuae it is not a supoer saturated distortion pedal but if you l like AC/DC, Zep or Deep Purple OD and distortion you will enjoy this pedal immensely. I like that the OCD distortion is not fizzy (with my rig). It has a amp like OD - sharp and biting. I mostly use it in the LP mode. It can be used as a clean boost by keeping the drive down and nudging the volume aboove unity gain to your liking and then setting the tone. BTW- the tone control offers a wide range of tones to compensate for your PUPs and amp. I run it through a Straub Cantus 50 El34 amp. What amazes me about the OCD is it sounds awesome whether the amp is set to clean or with the amp set to overdrive. I am always blown away by that. It cleans up nice when the guitar volume is turned down. It is hte most amp like natural overdrive distortion I have ever played through. If you have a good tube amp and you want to add flexibility as if you are adding additional channels to your amp, the OCD will definitley do the job.

So far so good - had it about a year but I don't play out so I can't really say. It seems like it is built to last.

Not usre about this. I emailed to ask the differences between the original version (mine) and the latest version and got no response. I eventually found the answer on his web site which is probably why he didn't repond. But a simple reply to say "check the FAQs in the OCD scetion of the site" , shouodn't be too much of an inconvenience. Oh well.

I play variety - beatles, purple, santana, sting and basically classic rock. Playing for 38 years. Have too much gear. My main rig is 1971 LP Custom / 90s Strat Plus w/Lace Sensor PUPs ---> Tonecore compressor ---> Keeley modded DS1 or BD-1 or TS-0 ----> OCD ----> Fulltone Choral Flange ---> Straub Cabtus50 (incredible amp). I would definitley buy it of it were lost. IMPORTANT to underdstand that there are three versions out there. Go to the Fulltone web sitre for the details. I am very curious to to hear the latest version. according to Mike Fuller it has "Stronger Mids - More Sustain - Better Tone Control". Sounds real juicy to me - DAMN!!Guess I'll have to get one eventually. If you review an OCD PLEASE indicate which version you have. Go to the Fulltone site to ID your version.