Fulltone Fulldrive2
Desert Island. I'm allowed a guitar, an amp, and one overdrive pedal. What's it going to be? That's easy. |  |
| Who ordered the tone?
The appeal of boutique effects pedals to fellow tone hungry guitarists is massive, and now more than ever before we are spoiled for choice. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers who sit in small dark sheds, are fed coffee intravenously, and don't know how to function without a soldering iron in their hand. God bless em. Mike Fuller from Fulltone started his company in 93 after guitarists heard his own massive tone and wanted some of the same. Since then Fulltone pedals have become one of the most sought after effects on the planet, with good reason.
808 Evolutions
Recently we looked at the legendary TS-808 from Ibanez, which is perhaps the most collectable overdrive pedal in the world. We also mentioned that the prices on these pedals are actually coming down, thanks in no small part this beauty. The Full Drive 2 is not an 808 clone, as some people might think. The circuit design is actually quite different from your normal tube screamer, but what is does have is common is the use of the JRC4558D chip. This is the same chip the original 808's used to get that huge sound most commonly associated with SRV. A quick look at the Full Drive 2 circuit board gives you an idea of the care and attention to detail that Fulltone is now famous for. The build quality is floorless, from the true bypass footswitches; to the enclosure and components it just doesn't get any better.
This quality translates into spectacular tone in a way very few pedals are able to achieve. Normally an overdrive pedal sounds at its best with a specific type of amplifier, but I have used this with Marshalls, Fenders, Vox's and Matchless amplifiers and the results have been inspiring.
Drive 2 Tone
Achieving great results with the Full Drive 2 is not complicated, but you do need to spend some time with it to understand its characteristics fully. There are three different modes selectable by a small toggle switch in the centre. Comp Cut mode is a low drive setting that gives you a warm clean sound with the drive on full. Fm is the flat mid mode, which removes any harshness and gives you a fat overdrive sound, and finally the vintage mode. This is balls to the wall rock and roll, giving you the same tonal qualities as the original Fulldrive. You also have a boost switch, which allows you to dial in a real kick for solos. This works an absolute treat and adds to the overall flexibility of this unit.
How much should I pay?
You can pick these up for around £180-£200 at the moment which for a unit of this quality is great value. If you're in the market for a fantastic boutique overdrive, you simply must put this at the top of your 'to try' list.
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