Not feeling my Full-Drive 2 anymore... time to switch!

[Surfy]

Ok, so I've been playing/recording with a Fulltone Full-Drive 2 (non-MOSFET version) as my main overdrive sound for a while, and I have come to the conclusion that while I like some aspects of it, as a whole it's just not cutting it for me anymore. I think I'm discovering that I'm just not much for the tube screamer, vintage, mid-rangey sound. I do like how natural it sounds, and I actually love to use it on bass. However, I think I need something a little more versatile for guitar. Originally, I was thinking that the dual "channel" aspect of this pedal would be a little more drastic. Really, I was looking for overdrive and distortion in one box, instead of overdrive and clean boost, though I didn't realize it at the time. So, now I'm left with tons of options, I feel, and I need some direction. I need a nice, transparent, smooth, and modern sounding overdrive, as well as a saturated heavy gain distortion (but not metal or anything). Ideally, in the same pedal and for around $200. Suggestions please!

[Beerts]

my new Jekyll & Hyde pedal is really making me happy these days. it's got the Jekyll overdrive side which is really smooth and the Hyde distortion side that can really rip. the Hyde side of it is a bit noisy but I've never used a really high gain pedal that wasn't. it has a built in noise reduction circuit (Hyde side) that works well as long as you mute the strings and "shut off the sound" once you do it's real quiet. the sides can be used seperate or together and I found that if I put my Fulldrive 2 in front of it and run that into the Hyde it gives me insane and yet controllable distortion.

just my little review, and Lord knows I'm no expert but...

I LIKE IT!

[eryque]

I've been in love with my OCD for a while now. Very natural sounding. Not the same vibe as a TS clone. Using it I can dial in sounds that are a heck of a lot like a Tweed Deluxe, or a lot like a vintage Marshall, or a lot like a BF amp.

I think it's worth checking out.

[MBradford6288]

You owe it to yourself to try out an xotic ac+. Really great drive channels, stackable either way, with a higher gain side and a lower gain side. I've played rock gigs with it, super versatile.

[Surfy]

Thanks guys. I've considered the Jekyll and Hyde, as a lot of people use them, and it does have the features I want, I just have a shallow aesthetic problem with the way they're laid out (ugly). But that won't deter me if they're really great. Any other fans of this one? Eryque: how different is the OCD compared to the Full Drive? I figured that the Full Drive was just an OCD with a boost channel. No? And I am really interested in the xotic stuff. I was thinking the BB+, but would the AC+ be more my style? Any feedback on these? Also, anyone else tried the Blackstar HT Dual?

[scooteraz]

FD 2 vs. OCD. Having played both for a bit, here is my take.

As you already know the FD 2 is basically a tube screamer sound with some extra boost. The OCD, to be succinct, has more mid-range, but about the same amount of distortion. I think of the OCD as being more of an overdriven Marshall in a stomp box. But not really in the "about to blow up" stage of distortion. For that, you need some sort of boost in front of the OCD.

If you are looking for more gain in a box about the size of the FD 2, the "Big D" from Homebrew Electronics may be the ticket. It seems to pick up where the TS clones stop (gain wise) and move up from there. Also has two stages of effect available. Haven't played the Jeckyll and Hyde, but I assume that it is similar.

Lately, my two overdrive sounds from one box has been via the Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive. However, again that pedal, while it can get pretty hot, will not take one to Boss DS-2, or hotter territories, if that is what is wanted.

[xjazzy]

Jekyll & Hyde is a great pedal but it's a TS clone! I have one. I like it but I bought a new pedal when I needed that natural drive you mentioned.
The pedal? Seymour Duncan SFX-03 Twin Tube. I LOVE it.

[Surfy]

Scooteraz- thanks that's great info. Don't think the OCD is for me. I'll have to check out Big D and the Blackstone. I don't need anything too over the top, but I definetly want each side to have a distinctly different sound (one more mellow and one more aggresive gain wise). xjazzy- that's good to know about the Jekyll and Hyde. Didn't think that one was for me, either. I've noticed some guys using the SFX-03. The pedal looks huge in pictures. Is it gonna eat up a bunch of space on the floor? Also, hows the sound on that one? Anyother fans of the Seymore Duncan? Still curious about the Xotic and Blackstar pedals too.

[xjazzy]

How does it sounds? The rhythm channel goes from a clean booster to a very natural light/mid high drive. It respondes very much like a real tube amp. The lead channel is a hard to explain sound. At first I thought it doesn't had enough gain for a lead. I think I was too used to Jekyll & Hyde. Once I get used to it I fell in love for it. It has that classic sound you here in southern rock band like The Black Crowes. A little fuzzy but in a good way.
Here you can hear the lead channel of the SFX-03 throught a Fernandes Strat in the bridge+middle PU position through a speaker simulator recorded on a PC (lead guitar about 4:00min).

Now that I'm used to it I find the J&H a little "muffy-er".

[hwestman]

I'm very happy with my Tonebone Classic which has really flexible EQ. There is a dual channel version available but I haven't tried it.

[Kris]

I disagree re. OCD vs. fulldrive -- the OCD has a big, open, natural sound and does not boost the midrange the way that the fulldrive does.

Kris

[Telegazer]

+1 on looking for a used Blackstone Mosfet OD.

The transparency and natural breakup of both channels makes it a keeper with so much potential, even into a clean channel. Although not-always perfect voicing out-of-the-box makes tweaking the internal trimpots a little daunting for some, patience can reveal a real gem. It loves a clean boost in front as well.

[Surfy]

I guess I should just check out an OCD for myself, if I can find one around. I've heard lots of different things on that one. I'm a little turned off by the Homebrew's "Bigger" channel on the Big-D since it has only one pot to control it. I'd rather have individual controls for Gain and Level on each channel of the pedal I choose. But so far, I'm really interested in the Blackstar HT-Dual, Blackstone Mosfet, and the Xotic AC+. Any tone freaks had the chance to try all three of these beauts? Or, any regular guys have one of these that they love?

[nevadacalifornia]

Before you spend $$ on something new, see if you have access to borrowing something for a week or more. I found that I also grew tired of my FD2, so I got a Blues driver. Then I sent it to Keeley to be modded. It is pretty cool. Then I got a Bad Monkey. Also kinda cool. But after a few weeks , went back to the FD2, and still like it the best.

[Lance]

I've gone through this before...and my FD2 got Ebayed along with my other tube screamer variations. (I've had most of them) There's a LOT of tube screamer variants out there (included those mentioned above)....and all do essentially the same thing. Some sound better than others. They do a boost with a slight mid bump and some rolloff of the bottom and add the grit. It's a great tone but it's just not for me anymore. I do have a Klon that is a fancy version of the TS concept but again....same stuff just a bit better sounding. I'm keeping it as it's seems to be the best of the TS-type boxes....but it's on the shelf for now

What you may be looking for is an overdrive that doesn't boost the mids. There's a few out there. I'm using an Analog Man King of Tone. It's like a two channel FD2 without the nasal sound that bugged me.

I'm also going to have to recommend the OCD. The OCD can do a light overdrive all the way up to a heavy distortion sound without the nasal sound. In fact, I'm sure two OCD's in a row may be the best arrangement (like a FD2 concept) for those who are done with the TS sound. (hint hint - Fulltone - build two OCDs in one box).

[Surfy]

Well now I'm officially interested in the OCD. So many choices. How about the GT-500? Anybody got an opinion on how that stacks up against the Full-Drive?

[scooteraz]

Originally Posted by Surfy

Well now I'm officially interested in the OCD. So many choices. How about the GT-500? Anybody got an opinion on how that stacks up against the Full-Drive?

2 ODCs in a row will definitely work, but that sort of violates the $200 rule you had mentioned earlier. Also, that sort of gives 3 stages of the same sound (light, moderate and heavy with a, b or a+b on). If you want to go that way, an OCD with a boost in front works too. Say the Xotic RC boost (or AC) in front of the OCD. RC is supposed to be cleaner. I have used my ZVex SuperHardon in front of an OCD and got way over the top, but again over the $200 limit (closer to twice that) for the combo. Of course, looking at the pricing, I see the OCD is down to about 150 a pop (I bought mine when it was closer to 175...but it has served me well, so no complaints). So, that 300 might be less than for some other combinations.

Perhaps, if you like the tone of the OCD, you could get a Bad Bob Boost and put in front of the OCD. That would give several sounds and a lot of gain for distortion with them both on, but the bad bob only has one knob.

From what you have said, while I love the tones I get from my Blackstone, it may not have enough distortion by itself. I use mine for light to heavy OD, and it sounds remarkably like a tube amp in OD to maybe medium distortion, but...I don't think of it as a just shy of metal distortion pedal. For that one sound, the Keeley modified Boss DS-1 works better, but you don't get two sounds like you do with the 2-button pedals, or pedal combinations.

Actually, get an OCD and keep the FD2. Then you can use them in series and get some pretty decent distortion. You would have to play with the tone controls, but then you are adding to your collection rather than just trading for something different. Frankly I have not put mine together like that, will have to try and provide report back.

Don't know if that helps or not, but an additional .02

[Radspin]

I couldn't decide between the Full Drive II MOSFET and the OCD at first. I would up buying the Full Drive II because it was versatile, sounded great with my setup (Strat with Seymour Duncan Little '59 bridge pickup through a variety of BF and SF Fender amps), and I thought more "open" and "natural"-sounding than the OCD.

I used the Full Drive with great success for months but kept thinking about the OCD. So, I went back a bought it (a V3). Now I find that I can get the best of both worlds by setting the Full Drive II for a mild overdrive) (overdrive knob at about 8:00, switch #1 in Vintage Mode, switch #2 in Standard mode, Boost switch on or off according to the song), and setting the OCD for a raunchier lead sound (switch on LP, Volume around 11:00, Overdrive on around 1:00, Tone around 1:00).

Then of course I had to experiment with both of them together. running the Full Drive into the OCD gives you a great over-the-top sustaining sound. At a gig, I accidentally did the reverse and ran the OCD into the Full Drive, and that was good also--just a different flavor of over-the-top distortion. So--I recommend experimenting with both of these configurations. For now, the two pedals work great for me by setting the Full Drive II for a mild crunch that equals the volume of the clean sound, and using the OCD at a louder volume for lead, and running the Full Drive into the OCD for an intense sustaining lead sound.

[mwittoesch]

Try the Paul Cochrane "Tim" or "Timmy" overdrive. Agruably one of the best low to mid-gain overdrives out there. They are about $105 new, but there is a 9-12 month wait. You can find them used for $175-$200. Worth every penny!

[benjsaynomore]

Originally Posted by mwittoesch

Try the Paul Cochrane "Tim" or "Timmy" overdrive. Agruably one of the best low to mid-gain overdrives out there. They are about $105 new, but there is a 9-12 month wait. You can find them used for $175-$200. Worth every penny!

Yes but aren't these a variation of TS style Od?

Anyway, I would recommend some of the following:

Jetter Gain Stage Red
Barber Direct Drive
Xotic BB-Preamp

It's hard to say...are you looking for medium OD for lead stuff...rhythm...higher gain OD stuff/distortion?

That would help widdle it down a bit.

[ganjie]

Originally Posted by Radspin

I couldn't decide between the Full Drive II MOSFET and the OCD at first. I would up buying the Full Drive II because it was versatile, sounded great with my setup (Strat with Seymour Duncan Little '59 bridge pickup through a variety of BF and SF Fender amps), and I thought more "open" and "natural"-sounding than the OCD.

I used the Full Drive with great success for months but kept thinking about the OCD. So, I went back a bought it (a V3). Now I find that I can get the best of both worlds by setting the Full Drive II for a mild overdrive) (overdrive knob at about 8:00, switch #1 in Vintage Mode, switch #2 in Standard mode, Boost switch on or off according to the song), and setting the OCD for a raunchier lead sound (switch on LP, Volume around 11:00, Overdrive on around 1:00, Tone around 1:00).

Then of course I had to experiment with both of them together. running the Full Drive into the OCD gives you a great over-the-top sustaining sound. At a gig, I accidentally did the reverse and ran the OCD into the Full Drive, and that was good also--just a different flavor of over-the-top distortion. So--I recommend experimenting with both of these configurations. For now, the two pedals work great for me by setting the Full Drive II for a mild crunch that equals the volume of the clean sound, and using the OCD at a louder volume for lead, and running the Full Drive into the OCD for an intense sustaining lead sound.

same thing with me except i purhcased the OCD first then a fulldrive 2 popped in.. really versatile sounds if you run FD2 into OCD. for reference i run my 72' thinline > FD2 > OCD > mesa studio .22. really defines from sparkly clean to low gain to high gain territory. been playing this setup for over a year now and couldnt' be happier..

hope this helps in your making a tough choice. GAS is exhausting! lol

[Abe]

I'm gonna throw out a low-buck potential solution. The Boss OD-3. It's not booteek, and nobody's going to give you mad props for your killer OD selection, but it's a really nice pedal. I think of the OD-3 as the "anti"-Tubescreamer, it's voiced very differently.

I like running a TS-type pedal (I use a SparkleDrive or Boss SD-1) into the OD-3. Two useable OD tones plus a pretty sweet distorted tone with both on.

If you surf the pawnshops regularly you should be able to find both pedals for under $100.

[andrenighthound]

Originally Posted by Abe

I'm gonna throw out a low-buck potential solution. The Boss OD-3. It's not booteek, and nobody's going to give you mad props for your killer OD selection, but it's a really nice pedal. I think of the OD-3 as the "anti"-Tubescreamer, it's voiced very differently.

I like running a TS-type pedal (I use a SparkleDrive or Boss SD-1) into the OD-3. Two useable OD tones plus a pretty sweet distorted tone with both on.

If you surf the pawnshops regularly you should be able to find both pedals for under $100.

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but what's the difference between the OD-3 and the SD-1?

Also why do you think the OD-3 is almost double the price of the SD-1?

[Abe]

OD-3 is much more focused in the lows-low/mids. To me, Tubescreamers/SD-1's/Fulldrives/SparkleDrives are very focused in the upper mids and highs. In my opinion, the OD-3 is a great addition to a rig, or at least a pedal every guitarist should have in his arsenal. It gives you some more low end "thunk" rather than Tubescreamer "clank", if you know what I mean.

As to the price, I've never bought an OD-3 new - I always find them on eBay or in a pawn shop for $30 - $40. SD-1's I have bought new, but only when GC blows them out for under $30.

Understand that I came of age guitaristically in the 80's, and Boss pedals were what we all wished we could use. I had a few Ibanez 10 series - friends had Peaveys and Arions. Boss was what the local pros used. I guess I've got a soft spot for them and always check Boss for a solution before I go elsewhere. Or I start with a Boss to help me understand what I ultimately want. They're everywhere, and pretty much all of them are available for under $75 used. Plus, some of the Boss stuff has no equal - or very few. The DM-2 and PN-2 I have are just flat great.

Sorry for the threadjack, hope Surfy finds a pedal that does it for him.