Fulltone Ultimate Octave

3 EQ knobs(Vol, Tone, Fuzz)
1 Toggle switch(Fat/Bright)
2 Foot switch(on/off, octave up)

Very easy to use, but it will take some time to figure out how to get the sound you want since the pedal can get a lot of different sounds from tweaking.

I am using a Laney GH50L with a Boogie cab, for guitars I use with this pedal is Fender strat with Texas special pickups and ESP Eclipse. Both single coil and humbucker guitar sound wonderful with this pedal.

Built like a tank with a metal casing. I was bit skeptical about the small toggle switch, but it's actually much sturdier than I thought.

I heard some people having bad experience with Mike Fuller, but mine was EXCELLENT.
He responsed my emails very quickly the same day. I also asked him where I could get a foot rubber which was missing from my pedal, he shipped me FOUR foot rubbers+screws and a Fulltone Sticker for free. Great customer service.

I play blues mostly with this pedal and works great.
I was searching for a fuzz that can do all my needs; fuzz that can sound both smooth and thick AND get nasty PLUS an Octavia effect that can be controlled by a separate foot switch. This pedal suits my needs perfectly. The only downside is you can only use Octave with Fuzz ON, can't use Octave effect by itself.
Overall, I've been very pleased with this pedal for the past 6 months I've had it.

3 knobs fuzz volume and tone, 1 bright/fat switch. All knobs do exactly what you expect.

Don't look any further, this is it. It's all in there.

Don't know yet in 3 weeks, got the feeling it'll last long.

No problems yet, but enough info on the on the internet.

I've been playing for 17 years now, use this setup for vintage blues/rock playing. Owned a Roger Mayer octavia, seemed less reliable in harware and sound. I use it with a standard 1978 strat in this chain: vox wah, voodoolab microvibe, fulltone ultimate octave, boss od-3 overdrive, boss rps10 reverse delay, boss dd5 delay- Marshall 1959 100W top, 1960 cabinet. There you have it, a great Band of Gypsies sound at all volumes. It's expensive but worth it.

This is a deceptively simple control layout. If you're used to setting the tone control between 12 and 3 o'clock, you may wish to reconsider. I find myself setting the tone control almost always lower than 12 0'clock. This is probably because it is an active control, not passive like most tone stacks. As for the volume and fuzz, just set to taste and start playing.

I rarely use the scooped "bright" setting, I almost always leave it on "fat"

I have the following rig:

Fender Telesonic --> Budda Budwah --> Fulltone Ultimate Octave --> Fender Hotrod 1x12

This rig, although basic, suits my needs. The Budwah will eventually be replaced with a Clyde, though (The Clyde is soooo much better!)

This is exceptionally quiet for a fuzz pedal. Recently I played a Boss Metal Zone in a store, and the noise floor was unbearable. You do, of course, get a hum with single coils, on almost any setting. This is unavoidable when dealing with high-gain.

The effect is usable at almost any setting, and all three controls are tweakable to a good extent to get the tone you want.

Please realize, this pedal is NOT a very versatile pedal... the fuzz sounds nearly the same with the control on 15 percent as it does at 100 percent, although there is a noticable difference. But, who buys fuzz for versatility?

In all fairness, it is probably one of the most versatile fuzzes around, with an octave-up, an active tone control, and two drastically different EQ settings... but it still always sounds like you're using a freaking fuzz!!

When *I* personally think of octave-up effects, the album A Band of Gypsys always comes to mind. Can the UO duplicate the legendary concert's sound? No. Can it do a recognizable faximile? Yeah, kinda. If you want that sound, I would recommend going with Fulltone's other octave up, the "Octafuzz". It does a much better clone of the original octavia sound. That is not to say that this octavia sound doesn't hold it's own--it does! Just in a more original and unique way.

The idea for a fuzz AND octave pedal in one is a great idea. I mean, how many songs per night on a gig can you use an octavia? One? Two? The octavia effect is a wild beast, best used sparingly and with great discression. It is pure sonic mayhem. A fuzz, on the other hand, can be used as much as you like :)

I mostly use this as a fuzz, with an octave as a climax occasionally or on certain leads.

How does it sound? Great! I love this fuzz. It is snarly and tempermental and has a great powerful crunch to it, also sustains and feedbacks for days. It's great.

The octave-up is even more aggressive and spits, sputters, and squeals like every octavia clone should!

This pedal is great for creating just an agressive and singing fuzz texture.

I can't give it a ten because it has this transient distortion that sometimes gets annoying... it is part of the sound, and I wouldn't get rid of it even if I could, but a smooth sound once in a while would be nice.

Nothing to say here. Reliability and build quality couldn't be better.

Can't say I've ever dealt with Mike Fuller.

This is a very useful little box when you want to tear it up with an aggresive, harmonically-rich, and surprisingly complex fuzz tone. AND it has an octave up for those times when you want to add some extra fire. All in all, I don't think I'll ever replace it!

Well, this isn't a super hard pedal to use, I had to spend a little time getting it dialed in, but really, it's not hard to master. I had a harder time learning to use the octave effect then anything else. When used right, it can sound very musical, otherwise it's easy to make it sound like this horrid high pitched screaming noise.

Features...

1. Volume
2. Tone
3. Fuzz
4. Yellow LED for Fuzz engaged
5. Stompswitch for Fuzz
6. Stompswitch for Octave Up
7. Red LED for Octave Up
8. Fat/Bright Switch

One kind of annoying thing about this pedal, you can't use the Octave Up by itself. You either use it with the Fuzz on, or not at all. Granted, I don't think I WOULD use it by itself (octave), but the option to do so would have been a nice though.

I mostly use this with a Gibson 330 going into a old Gibson 4-10 Ranger combo, or a Gibson Les Paul (with the Jimmy Page LP electronics) into a VHT Pittbull 45.

With the 330/Ranger combination, I use it for more of a 'classic' style fuzz and rarely with the octave up effect. This pedal still lets my 330 breathe, as it should. I have it set up for pretty light fuzz, kinda like early Stones or The Kinks.

I get a little wilder with the Les Paul/VHT and can cop some fairly close Black Sabbath tones with it. If you don't really know what this pedal does, listen to the solo in Black Sabbaths 'Paranoid', that's basicly it. I didn't get this cause I wanted to sound like Hendrix, but Hendrix riffs sounds pretty cool with it too. I wanted something for that early Iommi tone, and for me, it delivers.

I can get a pretty wide variety of tones out of it, and it's fun to kick the octave up effect in and out. I think this box is worth it for the fuzz alone. If you play any sort of stoner rock/ or early doom metal, check this thing out. For me, it's Sabbath in a box. I mix it with a Hot Cake sometimes, to get some insane heavy DOOM sounds out of it, but it does great by itself.

I havn't, and don't expect any problems out of it. It's given me no grief in the year I've owned it. I'd use it without a backup as it's not really a big part of my sound, but really nice to have when I need it.

Mike is brief and to the point. He takes care of whatever questions I have, with any luck I won't be requiring service on this of any of my other Fulltone units.

I have way too many guitars/amps/basses/pedals to even begin to list, but most of it is Gibson (including several amps and basses).

I basicly use this for that early Black Sabbath tones, as well of certain NWOBHM bands like Witchfinder General. It's not a HUGE part of my sound, but nice to have for when I need it. If I lost it, I may or may not replace it. It's a cool pedal, but again, not a big part of what I play. It's got a really nice fuzz, but the octave up effect isn't for everybody.

Pretty straightfoward octave/fuzz pedal. The manual is very brief but at 200 bones it's not likely that junior will buy one to play the latest Blink 182 riffs. Goods sounds are obtainable with a little tweaking and I'd surmise to say that musicians of intermediate to advanced levels of playing can get really happening sounds in a short period of time.

I use this pedal with a variety of Strats, a Les Paul Special and a Tele. My main amp is Mesa Boogie Rocket 440. The Rocket is basically Boogie's version of a Fender Super Reverb, with a lot more flexability via the gain channels. This pedal works very well for the SRV/Hendrix thing but is also great for unique sonic texures ala Satriani as well. I've also got a Fulldrive 2 which is my favorite overdrive/distortion ever as well as a Voodoo Labs' Micro Vibe and Analog Chorus in my signal path. The unit works best when it is FIRST in the chain (just like any good Fuzz). Good sounds are easily obtained and I find the fuzz to be nestled nicely between the 69' and 70' pedals fuzz units mike makes-Cream era Clapton when the fuzz is used solo and Jimi's B.O.G. with the fuzz on it the fat mode. There's not a "suck" button on this thing.

Mike's stuff is made to survive-rugged enclosures, heavy duty switches and quality silk screened graphics inspire confidence. I use a FDII made in '96 as my primary OD/Distortion unit and IMHO, there is no finer pedal on the market. I've used the typical Rat, Tube Screamer, Jeckll & Hyde, Daddy-o pedals as well and the FDII has survived 'em all. I fully expect the same out of my Ultimate Octave. My only fear is the tiny "fat/bright" toggle being broken-it's in a good spot to get nailed by my size 11. Yes-I'd gig without a backup.

Mike is generally a pretty helpful guy. He comes off a little brash sometimes but when you're a one man operation and selling a great deal of product business must be conducted swiftly. He's always been helpful and has never been dick-ish to me personally. I generally shy away from boutique equipment after a bad experience with a Holland Amp because it was so expensive and so frustratingly unreliable but Mike Fuller had made me feel cool about buying "small manufacturer" gear again!

I play blues and blues rock styles of music and this pedal fits in well with my style. My setup is: Strat>Ultimate Octave>Analog Chorus>FDII>Micro Vibe>Boss DD3 Delay. I've been playing for 15 years and have tried the Dunlop "Jimi Hendrix Octave" as well as the Prescription Electronics C.O.B. (Clean Octave Blend" and my Ultimate Octave makes those look pretty crappy. The fact that you can use the fuzz by itself or with the octave makes it like getting two for one. It ain't cheap but Dad always said "ya get what you pay for" and cliche as it may sound, it's true in most cases. I'd probably get another if it was stolen-it's a cool effect but you have to be careful not to over use it-it's NOT a subtle effect. My only gripe is the little bright/fat switch being out there and very vunerable.Mike makes good stuff and if you want to have tone that exceeds the normal "Joe Shit the rag man wanking through a Boss pedalboard" you have to pay for it. The octave on this tracks beter than any I've experienced and is useful over the majority of the neck (but it really shines past the 11th fret). The fuzz is thick and round and that little switch I bitch about (Fat/Bright) allows radical EQ shifts for more tonal flexibility. Maybe a little "flip cover" over the switch would put me at ease.

nice and easy three knobs and a fat switch

i think it is fine... i rarely use this pedal for the octave setting in mostly bought it beacuse i like the fuzz on it. I think the octave setting is a little sharp sounding

i have banged it up before and it is fine

Mike is a prick most of the time cause he is so freaking busy, but he does what he says he will do

i would say it is a great pedal... if you are ooking for a good fuzz this is a good one to buy, if i lost it i would cry like a baby casue it is so expensive then i would order another one

the manuals' OK. it *can* be tricky to get good sounds. if you use distortion elsewhere in your chain then back off on the fuzz control. the tone control adds the octave sound. the fat bright switch does have an effect, but the controls all seem to be interactive to an extent - take your time and you'll get what you want! octave off it's an old dirt box - Jimi all the way. This thing only seems to work above the 12th fret, and preferably on the front pickup, so be warned! Play chords down the bottom end and either pickup and you sound like the rhythm parts in Borg Sex!!!

front-end always homemade guitars, with PAFs, Freds, rails, etc. back-end has been a mixture - Zoom COSM, Behinrger V-Amp2, direct to desk, etc. Other FX include Zoom 2100 #9for volume and wah only), CryBaby, Bad Horsie, DS1, Ultimate Octave (can you see where this is going...?!?!). Yes it's noisy with a PSU, and in the real world batteries are NOT the way to go. Noisy as in hum, not hiss. The effects *usually* sound great - get your sound a LEAVE IT ALONE! Yes, I can sound like Satch, and that's why I bought it. 'nuff said.

I'd drive over it with no worries.

Mike's a busy guy. Got very upset (and VERY offensive) when I enquired as to where my pedal was after seven months waiting. After two weeks or so of emails he found the order, apolgised and offered me a free pedal on top. It was his fault, period, but he made good. I therefore give him an average score of 5.

I write and play instrumental guitar music, with an occasional leaning towards experimental. I've been playing for a looonnngggg time. If it were nicked I'd kill the thief and get it back that way. Too much hassle to deal with Mike again. If it were lost I'd get it from a *different* distributor. I love that I can (and do) sound like Joe whenever I need to. It helps with melody lines - sometimes a front pickup on its own doesn't cut through, but with this thing it *alwayts* gets heard. I didn't give it a 10 because when I bought it there were no UK distributors. No loss of marks for sound, though.

Three knobs and one is just for volume. Very easy to use. Like being able to dial in the mix octave of the octave effect with the tone knob.

Setup always goes first because this can effect the sound of the unit.

Gibson SG Classic w/ Lindy Fralin "stock" P90's> Fulltone Deluxe Clyde> Fulltone Supa-Trem> Fulltone Ultimate Octave> Fulltone Full Drive 2> Fulltone DP-1> Soldano GTO> Line6 DL-4> Zvex SHO> Dr.Z KT-45 w/Z best 2x12 cab. All pedals powered by PedalBoard.com's Juice Box.

The land of fuzz is a different place, one that is kind of alien to me and the other guitarists of my generation (I'm 20). When I first turned the pedal on I was istantly disappointed, I was hoping to be able to use the octave effect by itself and you can't with it as it is. So after the initial frown I turned on the fuzz and I turned that frown upsidedown. I thouhgt the fuzz was amazing! Sounds a lot like amp blowing up distortion when playing chords and very "legato" fuzz when single notes are played. Of course the first thing I did was play purple haze with the octave effect on. That octave can scream bloody murder if you wish and can be very subtle ala the tone control. The fuzz seems more like that of Jimmy Page to me than Hendrix but that's just me, the '69 is pure hendrix tone. I was very happy with the fuzz and though I can't just turn on the 8va by itself the effect is superb. Pedal can get REAL raunchey and nasty just like a real fuzz should and the octave can send anybody in a club running for the door if so desired, I love that. The fat/bright switch is also a very good idea, I haven't decided witch to use, probably just whatever I feel like at the moment. I don't like the drop in volume when switching to bright but what do you expect, you're cuting out the mids where most of your volume occurs. Only "legitimate" gripe is the "stutter" when turning on and off the octave when fuzz is engaged, just switch on an "and" beat, when the song is half way through a measure or at the end of one, and problem basically solved. Very happy it sounds a lot different from the '69 fuzz.

It's a fulltone, my grtandchildren are going to be using this pedal!

Haven't used it, see above. I did e-mail about my dp-1 being fuzzy and he told me to send it to him, this shows that if there's a problem he'll fix it but otherwise don't bother the man!

See sound quality as a pedal is only as good as it sounds!

I haven't found it difficult at all to use. The knobs are all self-explanatory, and very dial-able. Sure it can easily get out of hand, but it's also get back into control quite easily with a twist of this or that knob.

Initially I was delighted with the octave side of the machine, but thought the fuzz was too over the top. Turns out it was largely a matter of getting used to it, since I hadn't used a fuzz in a few years and just wasn't tuned in, mentally, I think. So at first I used a bit of OD from my VIsual Sounds Route 66 instead, either that or just cooked the amp, then kicked in the octave.

What turned me around on the fuzz was one night I was playing a bar gig, and took a break. While I was heading out the door for some fresh air, my drummer asked if he could mess around with my guitar. I said it was cool, and headed out. A friend of his sat in on drums while the bass player noodled a bit, and I heard this really great sound coming out of the guitar and rushed back into see what my drummer was doing to my setup. Turned out he just had the fuzz engaged, but it sounded so musical I couldn't wait to play with it again myself.

After that the fuzz has sounded completely different to my ears and I've been using it a lot by itself. Of course, engaged withe the octave it's insane.

In addition to Who Knows, Purple Haze and the usual tunes people seem to buy these octave boxes for, I find it sound damn good on Santana's version of Black Magic Woman, on the opening riffs. Long sustained tones melting into octave feedback ... And of course played in D, which is pretty much the 'optimum' key for octavizers ...

So far so good. Seems to be built really rugged, though I wonder about the toggle switches, which although strong are quite thin.

Havne't had to deal with customer support, fortunately.

Using this thing just as an octave, I'd give it a 10 except that you have to admit that as an octave box it's just a one-trick pony so would put it more at 8.

However I love the fuzz so much, by itself, that it's saved from being that pony, so the fuzz brings it back up to an overall 10.

Three knobs, two buttons, one switch. All the pots are very sensitive and interactive, switching from FAT to BRIGHT opens a whole new world of crazy fuzz-sounds. If you want for example the purple haze kind of fuzz, use the BRIGHT setting. Elsewise, use FAT. The tone circuit allows many different voicings. I recommend searching for the sweet spot that matches your instrument once and leave it that way.
My setting: volume 11 o'clock, tone 11 o'clock, fuzz (only) 8 o'clock, FAT mode.
The only -if you can call it that- drag is that you have to unscrew the baseplate to change the battery.

I have been playing blues and rock for about 12 years now. At present I play in a newly founded trio (plus vocals), so I really have to work with the guitar and cannot simply add a nice solo here and there. My setup: Rockinger Strat with Staufer Blues pickups (if you don't know this brand, read my review), Arion Stage Tuner (which generally sucks but still refuses to break and so successfully prevents being replaced), FULLTONE ULTIMATE OCTAVE FUZZ, modified Vox Wah (true bypass), VoodooLab Microvibe, Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor, mod. Twin (Class A, Vintage 30 speakers. The amp is always set for an slightly crunchy sound).

Well - fuzzes play in a league of their own. If you want a beautiful sound, don't use a fuzz. Fuzzes are "in your face". And this one is very useable, because it completely avoids the thinness of many other fuzzes. THis one can sound as fat as you want it to. The possible degree of distortion is ridiculous, the 8 o'clock setting is enough for me. I only bought it a week ago (#356, made in 1996, I paid 195 Euros on Ebay Germany) and am still experimenting with it. For now, I use it to add clour here and there, my main lead sound is still produced by the TF, but -in comparison- the UO sounds more rocky, more brutal, more... fuzzy. With this stompbox on, your guitar won't get lost in the mix. Used in front of an overdriving amp (or tube pedal) the UO fuzz turns your Strat into the ultimate weapon. I like to play the TF in factor I for rhythm work and kick in the UO for leads - super!
As for the octave up effect, well, if there is a pedal in this world that really SCREAMS, this is the one. If you know BOG's "Who knows?", you know the effect. Quite ring-modulator-like, strange, crazy. You can always top the most distorted leads with this one. Nothing to play with all the time though.
Well, writing about tones is a little bit like talking over dances, so I think this should be enough to water your mouth if you are really interested in fuzzes. Try this one!

My pedal is 8 years old and has never had a repair... this says it all, I think.

I emailed Mike once for information and he answered me the other day. I emailed him again yesterday and have no reply by now, but hey, he runs a business, right? This is all I can say.

This box does exactly what it is supposed to (many other stompboxes don't). It's reliable, almost indestructible, I would look for a new one if this got stolen. From all the fuzzes I've tried, This is the one. I would even buy it for the fuzz alone, witzhout the octave effect.