How to make my Fulltone sound better?

depalm · #1 12-19-2010, 07:06 PM

It just doesn't have enough low end.

blender?
mod?

What does the Efx masters recommend?

tks

vegas532 · #2 12-19-2010, 07:29 PM

I used to use mine in the loop of a Wounded Paw Blender and it did the trick.

scotch · #3 12-19-2010, 07:39 PM

I had semi-retired my Bass-Drive Mosfet, not because it sounded bad - but because I found other pedals that sounded similar and were better overall for the sounds I was going for.

To be fair, I still defend the Fulltone's low-end. The whole equation has to be considered: dramatically increased mids + attempts at unity gain = less lows and highs. Of course, the Fulltone lets you dial in more highs, but not lows. I still got great overdrive and and low end response from it on its' own, but then I did have a bit louder volume. In many scenarios this works fine since when I'm hitting the distortion, the bands' dynamics have gone up anyway... But I needed the same basic killer overdrive sound, but with more control and ability to get it at unity gain.

Then I bought an Xotic X-Blender. Everything changed! I can now get all of the sounds that I was getting from my BB Preamp, Bass Big Muff and a wealth of others! Having the Blending function is incredibly useful and the overall volume control and 2 band eq are indispensable as well. Low end is easier to get 'just right' and being able to adjust 100% dry to 100% wet on-the-fly is great!

This is how I'm set up now. The only thing in the X-Blender loop is the Fulltone:

I use this setup live and for session work. I've been rocking it for over a year and have been entirely satisfied! The X-Blender took a good pedal that wasn't extremely flexible & made it my go-to dirt pedal!

carlos840 · #4 12-20-2010, 05:25 AM

I used to have the same settings as you but with the tone a bit higher and i recently noticed that i get more low end in FM mode...
Also in vintage mode the difference in tone between normal and boost is pretty small, in Fm mode you get a massive mid boost when hitting the boost making both sounds very different..

Actually u usually have tone and drive close to 12 o'clock

depalm · #5 12-20-2010, 05:54 AM

Yeah, first I wanted to use this as a low drive device but the lack of low end is making it impossible. Tried several settings but all I could achieve is a little low mid boost.

I've thought on a blender but I've also seen some people talking about modding it. As I don't know nothing about electronics don't know if it worth it.

dirtgroove · #6 12-20-2010, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Yeah, first I wanted to use this as a low drive device but the lack of low end is making it impossible. Tried several settings but all I could achieve is a little low mid boost.

I've thought on a blender but I've also seen some people talking about modding it. As I don't know nothing about electronics don't know if it worth it.

If any of you guys aren't running it on 18v then you're seriously missing out. If it's the comp cut setting that you want to run then a blender will certainly help (I use the barge but the xotic blender looks good).

depalm · #7 12-20-2010, 06:27 AM

Yep running it on 18v.

carlos840 · #8 12-20-2010, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Yep running it on 18v.

+1 Forgot about that! It does sound a lot better in 18v

depalm · #9 12-20-2010, 06:41 AM

Sure it works better on 18v but not solve the lack of low frequency.

I'll try the Xotic Blender, it seems nice.

scotch · #10 12-20-2010, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Sure it works better on 18v but not solve the lack of low frequency.

I'll try the Xotic Blender, it seems nice.

I think you'll be happy! The low eq control is perfect adding in some bottom. Plus you can even dial in a very agressive drive & just mix it in a little for what might be the best 'low gain' tone I've heard!

I experimented with 12 and 18volts with my Fulltone. Honestly, it just seemed to increase headroom - resulting in less overall crunch.

I don't notice any eq change with the boost engaged, just more saturation and volume.

Zerstorte Zelle · #11 01-07-2011, 08:09 PM

I've recently had a falling out with my Bassdrive. I had been running it as my always on low since early '09 replacing an ODB-3 and it seemed alright. Just a few weeks ago people had said the sound at front of house sounded like "just another guitar" "thin" and "no gut" etc etc. I like the pedal and it sure is sturdy but it just seems like it looses all of that rich, deep bass.

Doing some more tests against all sorts of other drives at home and it just sounds muddy and kind of dull. I don't get it. I'm running at 18+v and all but it just doesn't do it. I've tried it with my boss ls-2 as well but the two volume knobs as opposed to the one blend knob make it too annoying to set and moreover keep a setting.

Any ideas?

scotch · #12 01-07-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerstorte Zelle

I've recently had a falling out with my Bassdrive. I had been running it as my always on low since early '09 replacing an ODB-3 and it seemed alright. Just a few weeks ago people had said the sound at front of house sounded like "just another guitar" "thin" and "no gut" etc etc. I like the pedal and it sure is sturdy but it just seems like it looses all of that rich, deep bass.

Doing some more tests against all sorts of other drives at home and it just sounds muddy and kind of dull. I don't get it. I'm running at 18+v and all but it just doesn't do it. I've tried it with my boss ls-2 as well but the two volume knobs as opposed to the one blend knob make it too annoying to set and moreover keep a setting.

Any ideas?

Yup. Either invest in a blend with some eq control (the Xotic X-Blender is perfect as I mention earlier in this thread), or trade it for an Xotic Bass BB Preamp (same texture grit as the fulltone, but with the ability to boost the bass built-in).

Flymo Wang · #13 01-08-2011, 03:44 AM

+1 to the BB preamp. I happily used my pre- MOSFET bassdrive for 8 years, but also wanted more bass!! Got a BB last month and it is perfect, very similar sound, just much more versatile EQ, and half the size of the fulltone too

depalm · #14 01-09-2011, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flymo Wang

+1 to the BB preamp. I happily used my pre- MOSFET bassdrive for 8 years, but also wanted more bass!! Got a BB last month and it is perfect, very similar sound, just much more versatile EQ, and half the size of the fulltone too

Interesting. Maybe I'll move the Fulltone to my guitar rig and get a BB when I have a chance to try one.

TrevorOfDoom · #15 01-09-2011, 11:49 PM

sell it and get a Voodoo Labs SparkleDrive.

BassDrive = slightly altered Tube Screamer
SparkeDrive = Tube Screamer w/clean blend.

depalm · #16 01-10-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

sell it and get a Voodoo Labs SparkleDrive.

BassDrive = slightly altered Tube Screamer
SparkeDrive = Tube Screamer w/clean blend.

Does it works good on bass?

iamdenialNJ · #17 01-10-2011, 12:07 AM

You can make it sound better by selling it and buying another OD.

TrevorOfDoom · #18 01-10-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Does it works good on bass?

it works very well indeed due to the clean blend.

depalm · #19 01-10-2011, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

You can make it sound better by selling it and buying another OD.

:-) I already have another OD. Bought a BJFE Blueberry bass couple of months ago.

It sounds great, just wanted to know if there was an easy/cheap way to mod the Fulltone and make it more bass friendly.

lowbass68 · #20 01-10-2011, 09:27 PM

Been using a Fulltone Bassdrive for a few years and still like it. I generally use it to give a light dirty mid boost so it suits my needs. In cases where I need more lows I use a Boss Bass EQ (GEB-7) for tweeking things tone.

I also use a HBE Hematoma, the Bass Pig, ODB-3 (for some stuff), Messdrive Hybrid and a modified Juggernaut for different shades of dirt.