Fulltone Soul-Bender

Tons of great sounds in this box. The internal trimmer might have worked better as an external knob that can be set differently between songs, but, for me I set it at about 3:00 and it does that huge sounding fuzz that I want for my lead sound.

I use a bunch of different guitars from a Strat with Lace Sensors to a BC Rich Mockingbird with P-90s and 6 others in between. My main amp is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe that has been heavily modded including using EL84s in Class A, different filter caps, etc... Think of it kind of like a more ballsy AC15 with a heavenly drive channel and reverb. I also use several other effects boxes including a Snarlin Dogs Wah, EH QTron, MXR Phase 100 (scriptlogo), and a Boss DD-5. The Soulbender sits last in the chain before my amp with the DD-5 in the effects loop. It sounds wonderful. Huge and fuzzy and rich. Full of beautiful harmonic content that enhances the drive channel of my amp. It sounds great on the clean channel too. Very reminiscent of early Zep Jimmy Page... before the Marshalls and Les Pauls. I have tried many different Fuzz pedals includnig some very vintage stuff (Ge FF)and way overhyped boutique stuff (Way Huge, Lovetone) and this Fuzz is the one I've been waiting for... It's got everything I've ever wanted in a Fuzz...

It seems very well put together and I have no doubt that I can rely on it without worry.

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This is great for my rig, but Fuzz is such an individual thing. There is no ultimate fuzz for everyone. There are many people who don't like Fuzz at all (but mostly they are idiots or into NuMetal or some other sort of freak of nature) Anyhow... the big thing is this... Try one out because they do something magical in the realm of Fuzz and, at least for me, it is the Holy Grail of Fuzz boxes!!!

It's a newer model Soulbender with Vol., Tone and Dirt controls as well as an internal trim pot. Easy easy to use. Can get a wide range of sounds with Tone and trim pot manipulation. As with most Fuzz boxes, it doesn't like to have a buffered effect put before it. I think the Soul Bender, more than other Fuzzes I've tried, has many characteristics that depend on your guitar and amp.

Blistering Germanium Transistor Fuzz to Fat Cream leads. To me it is a very British Invasion sounding fuzz (ala...the who and yardbirds) with the tone rolled CCW to the treble settings. With the tone full up CW (bassier and creamier) is very fat and great for leads. There is an inherent midrange quality that is great in all settings that allows it to cut through better than Fuzz Faces. BTW, as you probably already know, the Soul Bender is Sola Tone Bender (3 knob) clone with three germanium transistors, therefore it is a different animal than the Fuzz Face clones like the Fulltone '69 and '70. The Soul Bender has more gain and fuzz on tap than both the '69 and '70. With the Fuzz on full it is a little over the top for me for anything but single note leads or runs. If you back off the guitar volume to about 8, its still very gritty and fat ( think Live Cream 'Spoonful' and 'Steppin Out') That was sound I wanted out of my Strat (with CS 54 pickups) without getting a Les Paul.

Extremely solid and well built.

I also have a Fulltone FD2, '69 and '70. Never a problem.

The Soul Bender is a very pleasing ToneBender Clone to play with. I've not tried any other ToneBender clones or originals, so I can't compare it to them. I am, however, familiar with the sounds of the original users (Beck, Page, Clapton with Cream) and knew that was the type tone I was missing in my setup. The Soul Bender does what Mike says it will and sounds very sweet. More importantly it has become a key ingredient in my setup to creating a non generic tone. It's a great value in my judgement. Not a one trick pony.

This is a reasonably uncomplicated pedal to use because it's quite musical sounding no matter how you set it up. The instruction sheet for the SoulBender is kinda short and doesn't go into detail much at all but you soon find that the slightest turns of the tone and dirt knobs change the sounds and colors of the pedal right away and there are almost limitless great tones to be found in this pedal.

I'm using a 52RI Fender Tele through a Fender Pro Junior amp right now. I also am using a Prescription Electronics Experience pedal and a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive. The Soul unit is remarkably quiet except when the dirt control is at its highest settings. I noticed that through a friends Marshall 2203 amp that the pedal was decent sounding but not at all like the cool tones that Beck and Page...etc. got in the sixties. But when I plugged into my Fender Pro Junior THAT sound was there. Listen to *Think About it* by the Yardbirds or the live *Stroll On* or Led Zeps *Dazed and Confused* or *Communication Breakdown* etc. etc. The SoulBender nails those vintage Brittish tones like no other and is capable of doing so very smoothly with the help of the excellently voiced tone knob. The effect cleans up great by rolling off the guitar volume as well. This pedal gets a 10 rating in this catagory for not only perfectly doing what I bought it to do but also because of the other quite musical uses this pedal has going for it. Great design Mr. Fuller!!

I hope it holds up good, but I've only had it a day now!!

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I play a lot of Blues and Rock from the 60s and 70s mostly. I've been playing off and on for 23 years. The SoulBender is a perfect match for some of the stuff I do and is simply not needed for the rest but it's important enough for ME to have that I got it in lieu of some of the other cool Fulltone effects at this time. Mike Fuller makes excellent musical pedals like my Fulltone Clyde Wah pedal. A friend of mine just HAD to have that one so I sold it to him but I'll be getting another Clyde soon. If this pedal gets stolen I'd try to get another as I'm certain there's nothing that even comes close in this effects tone range. I'm thinking I'll find many uses besides just copping old Zep and Yardbirds tunes with it. Cant wait to get the Octa Fuzz to replace the crappy sounding Prescription pedal neither!! Maybe a FullDrive 2 also.

This one is a little tricky. Because it uses germanium transistors you can only use DC supplies that have a postive tip. Or, if you own the Voodoo Lab pedal power, you can custom order a reverse barrel-to-barrel connector that fixes this problem. After the power issue is solved, one must consider the fact that because this pedal uses germanium transistors and is true-bypass, you should not put this pedal AFTER any other pedals that are NOT true-bypass in your chain. It will alter the output and sound of this pedal. Now, once those technical concerns are cleared up, this pedal is extremely easy to use. Three knobs, all very self-explanatory.

GREAT sounding fuzz. I've used the Vox Tonebenders (MKII, MKIII), as well as the ZVex fuzz factory (which is also great, but is a little too unpredictable for me in live situations). The Soul Bender sounds very close to the vintage tonebenders and it costs a whole lot less than finding a vintage unit. It can get warm and smooth, bitey with sqaure wave fuzz, and has plenty of clarity. This pedal has much more gain than the fullton '69 and '70. Sounds wonderful through 4-input marshall plexis and '70's orange amps.

It's a fulltone. It's built like a tank! Footswitches shmut-switches. Hey, occasionally they break! Deal with it. Mike Fuller will gladly replace any that break.

Mike Fuller has always been of great help to me when I've had questions.

This is a great fuzz pedal that I feel very well replicates the old Tonebenders. I play in a radiohead-esque alt/rock band and I've worked this pedal into a few songs and it always rocks. As much as I hate doing this, here's my setup: '74 Gibson Les Paul Standard, Reissue Gibson LP Deluxe Goldtop, or Reissue Fender Jazzmaster to Soul-Bender, Fulldrive 2, Fat-Boost, Vox Wah, MXR Phase 90, Univibe, Dunlop Tremolo, Deluxe Memory Man to '74 Marshall 50-watt JMP MKII head through Marshall 1960TV cab to '59 Fender Tweed Bassman. I run both the amps as one mono signal so they're both always on. There I bragged about my setup. That's so lame...

Easy to use. No problems here.

Buying this pedal I was foolishly under the impression that it would be my last fuzz purchase. I already have several fuzzes, some good, some not so hot- a RI Vox Tonebender, Voodoo Labs Proctavia, Boss Fuzz (yuck!!!), Maestro Fuzzstain, and several Big Muffs. The Soulbender does not sound really like any of the forementioned fuzzes.

So it sounds awesome right? That depends. Unless your amp is juiced up with a moderate amount of power, it just sounds like a stock fuzz pedal. Does it sound like a vintage Tone Bender? If I had to go by some early Jimmy Page tones, I would say not even close. Theoretically, using a 4 input Marshall and a telecaster, you should be able to nail at least some early Zeppelin tones on the head. I have not found them yet.

I figured that the Soulbender would have a spitty top and a round mid and bottom. The one I have does not. I think I was wishing for a Fuzzface tone, which is unreasonable since the Tone Bender and Fuzzface are different birds all together, so it is my fault. But don't make the same mistake thinking the Soulbender is the end all fuzz. It is good, it has full bypass, but try one out before you impulse buy like myself.

If I had to pick a fuzz that I own to compare it with, the Soulbender sounds to me a tad like the Big Muff, but without the beefy, useful bass, crispy treble and sustain. Of course, the Soulbender is more of a fuzz than the Big Muff, but doing an A/B comparison, I thought it would be silly to use both of them in your chain if space is an issue.

I think the Fulltone name carries alot of weight, and Mike makes some wonderful pedals, but The Soulbender did not set my soul on fire. I know many of you will assume that I don't know what the hell I'm taking about, and that is fine, but I have been playing guitar for long enough, been producing music since '91, have a huge network of musician friends, so take this review for whatever it is worth. Everybody has different tastes and ears. Mine tells me that the Soulbender is just okay as far as Tone Bender clones go.

Super heavy duty casing with quality jacks and silent switch. Electronic components seem very quality.

I really don't know.

If I could do it over again, I would stay away from the Tone Bender clones and go with a Foxrox Fuzz Foot, Analog Man Sun Face, or maybe the Fulltone '70s pedal. Once again, this is taste factor.

Honestly, my mid '90s reissue Vox Tonebender (I know, it's crap) has more of a vintage flavor than the Soulbender. It does not sound more quality, but is a stinkier fuzz than the Soulbender. The bottom line is know what you want, and try before you buy.

easy as it gets. Had a good , no, GREAT sound in less than a minute. whoopee!!!

I am currently using a prs ce22, budda wah + a whammy 1, fulldrive2, soul bender, tc electronics Dtwo delay, into a vox ac 30. I think I finally got the sound I have been searching for all these years. The soul bender was the missing link. It is great for soloing, fat sustain, clarity, super smooth, (think eric johnson.) It also handles chords very well. was using the fulltone distortion pro, the d pro is a great pedal but not quite what I was looking for. soul bender you are a ten

you can't depend on nothing but your self and my new best buddy mikey.

? I don't know from experience, only what I have read, it seems to be mixed. usually something about how mr fuller is this or that, well I think like this. who cares. he is super hella busy, and he does musicians and music a great service by working so hard to make such great pedals. Just because you buy his stuff doesn't mean he is your buddy all of the sudden. or maybe it does hey mikes my new best friend then and he better not let me down, that motherfu.....

I play spacey rock in an outfit called NASA, The soul bender is perfect for my solo tone, super creamy tone, nice. I have been playing for about fifteen years. It it so simple to get a good sound out of this pedal. If you are looking for a good solo tone this is the real deal. Fulltone pedals are really cool, maybe the best, pedals I have ever used, and I have used quite a lot of them. This is my second soul bender, the first one was stolen, bastards! Remember it is totally cliche' but you get what you pay for. so the price on these things is justified. If you are serious about good tone then check this out, and buy a new one, those friggin ebay auctions are stoopid, you can buy a new one fo the same price they are going for on ebay.and don't steal other starving artists gear, it is weak, steal from guitar center.is there anything I wish this pedal had? you bet, a free coupon for a million dollars worth of gear from willies american guitars, the keys to new bmw m3 coupe, and tits and a pussy. come on good buddy mikey get to work.

It's got 3 knobs and an internal dip switch. Super easy.

After reading plenty of reviews, I was'nt sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised when I plugged the sucker in. Don't expect a big bassey fuzz like a Big Muff. The Soulbender is more a "transistor radio speaker" fuzz with a smooth midrange as opposed to a searing top end.

With the tone knob full CCW, you get a boxy, cutting fuzz sound not unlike that of a reissue Vox Tonebender of the mid '90s. But as you turn the tone knob CW, the fuzz gradually goes smooth and creamy with a little bit of velvet. Not a lot of bass, not a lot of gain, but a great authentic '60s tone that's highly useable.

Most chords work alright, and this box can really drive your amp. When I roll the volume knob on my guitars down, this pedal does not really clean up, even though I use Teles and Strats. No biggie to me, though.

Some say you get a good Jimmy Page sound from the Soulbender, but I think that the amps he used had more to do with his sound than 1 single pedal. I guess if you had a Soulbender, a vintage Les Paul, a few wierd old '60s amps, and hands blessed with unparalled talent, than it's going to sound like Page.

Through a Marshall 50 watt Plexi, the Soulbender sings and grunts and drives the tubes wonderfully. Through a little solid state practice amp I use at home, the Soulbender is nothing to write home about. So if you don't gig and don't record, than you might not think this box is all that, because at practice levels it's just okay.

Overall, I am excited each time I plug in the Soulbender and hit the strings. By the way, it sounds awesome run into a Big Muff and you can use a wha BEFORE the Soulbender and it still sounds good (Not all fuzzes can boast that attribute).

Casing tougher than Depleted Uranium armor. The guts look solid and quality. Switch feels like it will last a long time and is silent. Jacks feel tight and secure. You simply cannot beat true bypass.

Let's face it, there are a crapload of fuzzes out there. The Soulbender is a solid buy if you are into authentic '60s fuzz tones. If you don't like the sound and feel of fuzz, this one is not going to change your mind. It does 1 or 2 sounds really well, but don't expect that cheesy Puddle Of Mudd guitar tone. This is a fuzz nomatter what way you slice it. Thank you.

How hard can a foot pedal be to oeprate? Plug guitar in and then out to amp. EASY.

No manual for me as I bought it used.

I have a Yardbox and a Pro Co Rat. This unti is probbaly closer to the Jeff Veck sound a' la' 1967-71 than the Yardbox. The RAT is great for Beck sound a' la' 1973 on.

I use '56 Strat, '59 LP Standard and a '50 Broadcaster with it. I run the guitars through a Vox AC30 or Marshall 50W Plexi and or Marshall Bluesbreaker combo. Also use Ampeg 30W for leads.

It is Fulltone - 'nuff said!

I have never dealt with the company although I hear good things about Mike responding personally to people.

I play Yardbirds, Beck solo, Zeppelin, blues, '60's pop, etc, with this unit. The unit can sound way-out or you can pull it back in and be a little more subtle. Someone said Fuller said it was not good for blues, but I like it for blues too.

This review is for one of the "newer design" Soulbenders, #1304 date 2/02 (exact date inside the case is 1/27). This unit is essentially good for giving one type of fuzz tone, but unlike other fuzzes that might prefer High or Low output pickups, the internal trim pot on the SB allows the user to dial in the fuzz "density" and shape the character and intensity of the fuzz to work with your existing setup. Very easy to get a good sound, and flexible enough to work with different guitars.

I've finally found a fuzz I will keep. I've had a problem finding a fuzz that is warm yet "cuts" and does not get mushy with humbuckers and P-90s. This fuzz does just that. Plenty of bottom end with a great harmonic content (not artificial sounding, though) and a nice "squawk" if you want it (which I do). I don't play a Strat, and I don't ever use my volume knob to clean up my tone, so i can't comment on the ability of this pedal to do this . But this pedal gives me a great sustaining "hummmmmm" when i need it that is creamy in the low/low mids and as brash as I need it to be in the mids/upper mids without any piercing screaming quality. I've tried an MJM London Fuzz, a Mayer Axis Fuzz, a Prescription Yardbox and an Everman Fuzzdrive in my fuzz search and all were good pedals (except the Mayer) but none of them was exactly what I needed. The London was quite dark with buckers and P-90s, the Mayer sounded like it was broken and had lots of fizz and unusable high end, and the Yardbox was more of a distortion with fuzz on top than a fuzz in the traditional sense. The Everman, though great, was not a thick fuzz and was never intended to be. I'd say the SB is closest to the London in tone and authenticity, but just works a bit better for my needs in its adjustability and clarity.
The SB also has a pretty hot output, so you can hit your amp pretty hard with it. I also use a Z-Vex SHO, Menatone Blue Collar,Teese Picture Wah and a couple other pedals from time to time. The best chain I've found is BC-SB-SHO and I'm still settling on a spot for the Picture Wah due to the usual trouble with Wah/Ge Fuzz placement. If I place the PW before the SB, the bottom of the wah sweep gets lost. But if I place the SB first, the wah is less drastic. I might eventually try the Analogan kit (name?) which adresses this problem.

I have to say, I love the way Fulltone stuff is built. I hear comments here and there about switches going out, but have never experienced it. I've also owned an FDII, which I sold to a close friend, and think that the construction quality of both pedals was some of the best I've ever seen. Soldering looks good, and the components are good quality. I wish all effects had cases as heavy as Fulltone's.

No experience with this yet.

I can't give any gear a 10 for perfection, but I don't mind giving a 9 for excellence if the unit is especially tonefull and inspiring. I'd suggest this pedal for anyone who like classic, thick fuzz tones that don't get lost in Muddsville. Classic Rock, British Blues, Heavy Stentor Rock, Alterna whatever.....Its good for guitar music, be it loud or subtle. I'd buy another one if it were stolen, using the cash I jacked from the pocket of the chump who's misfortune it was to make the mistake of stealing from me. (oooohhhh.....tufff guy.....) :)
Money well spent.

Three knobs, no waiting.

I own an original issue Soulbender I bought used for $150. I don't know if the newer versions have a different circuit or not, but this one works for me. I can cop the "Outside Woman Blues" Clapton tone by goosing the dirt and rolling off treble on the guitar and pedal. It does not clean up too much with h.b.'s but that is not why I bought it. I'm currently using it with a Dr. Z Rt. 66 amp with a 2x12 cab.

Like all Fulltone product I use, flawless operation. I can't afford two so there is no backup!

I emailed Mike Fuller with a question about the use of a pedal and received a reply the next day. That's been my only contact with the company but I thought it was pretty quick and I was pleased.

We play a lot of blues but also dig a little bluesy, 70's classic rock every now and then. I did check out some other pedals by Prescription and Blackbox but I thought that this had a creamy, not at all ratty, sound. I hope I never lose it as it is in the original large type silver metal casing, but if i did lose I would not hesitate to get the newer type. I understand the newer versions have a trim pot inside which sounds really useful for different pickups and amps.