Fulltone CA operations are closing after 30 years.

[Gianluca]

Maybe the best contribution to the pedal industry in terms of quality and authenticity.

https://guitar.com/news/gear-news/fulltone-rumoured-shutting-down-california/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_VQQ9x99Aw

Incredible pedal maker, any pedal they made, IMO.

[kbp810]

Sad to hear. Not sure if I've even seen a pedal case in a store without at least an OCD in it

[Gianluca]

Yes, OCD alone sold incredible numbers: 250k units. Interesting is the Ge version.

[ElChoad]

The Fulltone Fulldrive II MOSFET edition is amazing. One of the few pedals I actually hang on to.

[rockabilly69]

I've used Full-Drives as my main overdrive on my electric board for years, the Full-Drive 2 for many years before going to the 3 and they are both really good overdrives.

[TalismanRich]

That's too bad.

I have his MDV-2 Vibe pedal.   There were great to to deal with then it developed a problem about a year or so in.   Sent it back and the went through everything, found the bad opto sensor, and sent back free of charge.   No hassles, no questions, just good service. 

[Gianluca]

yes, just a great company as a great company should always be....times are changing

[Gianluca]

rockabilly69, yes I think the Full Drive in all its version is a great Drive, great pedal boards there as usual  ? 
the v3 I think it's my favourite....maybe I'll buy one

[bolero]

They made great stuff!!

Hopefully it's only temporary, due to parts scarcity?

[TalismanRich]

Bolero,  it sounds like it's permanent as far as making pedals for normal sale.   However, he seems to taking steps to insure that no one decides to profit off his work and good name.

“I’m closing the Fulltone CA Shop because I will not start pumping my personal money into a business that no longer turns a profit… this four year climate makes 100 per cent made in the USA impossible,” the statement continued.

The alleged letter seemed to indicate Fulltone’s intent of remaining a “valid corporation” and that founder Mike Fuller will continue to protect his “$3M worth of worldwide trademarks & patent” and will “build a few pedals here and there as I am vividly aware of what it takes to keep my brand from being stolen.”

[bolero]

Well that's encouraging then. It's smart to shut down during this shitshow of an economic shit-uation.

 

I'm sure he'd ramp up again, once supply chains are back & people have money to buy gear!

[DetroitBlues]

Think I only had a single Fulltone over the years, Full Drive 2 Mosfet; back when they were at their height of popularity, they were not affordable for me.  Which may be what lead to their demise.  So hard to complete with the clones coming from China (like Joyo, Donnor, and even Amazon), its any wonder how any company can complete with their offerings.

Their Octafuzz, Supra-Trem, Deja-Vibe, and Clyde Deluxe were some of the best offerings at one point of time if I recall.

Anyone worth their salt in the professional world used the OCD it seemed.

The Pilmsoul was a favorite of a few guitar teachers I followed on YouTube.

That being said, its said to see them go away they were an really industry staple for a long, long time.  Perhaps the first big "boutique" pedal builder there was.  

[kbp810]

Looks like the price on what's left out there (new and used) is skyrocketing now too; just saw an OCD v1.2 for $600+

[Gianluca]

GAS ?
so fun, vendors in EU ran out of Fulltone ODs stock
the best OCD is th v1.7 hands down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYX8MJt4ulc)
but....paying all that money an OCD it's crazy

 

[DetroitBlues]

If they go out of business, I'm suspecting someone like JHS will create a clone OCD that will incorporate the different versions, sort of what they did with the Pack Rat.

[TalismanRich]

I'll let my MDV2 go for a paltry $2000...   Get it while you can folks.   In another year it will be twice that much!!!!  ?

 

I'm beginning to think that guitar players are borderline crazy!

 

[rockabilly69]

3 hours ago, TalismanRich said:

I".....I'm beginning to think that guitar players are borderline crazy!"

 

you're just figuring that out now???? 

[JeffB]

I kept the FD2 in case I ever found the urge to gig again. It works.

I dont remember anything about buying it, when or where, but I remember it being on my board more often than not.

[Gianluca]

I agree, the FD2 is a nice Overdrive
...and guitar players are past borderline crazy ?

[rockabilly69]

1 hour ago, JeffB said:

I kept the FD2 in case I ever found the urge to gig again. It works.

I don't remember anything about buying it, when or where, but I remember it being on my board more often than not.

I don't remember when I got mine either, and there was a short time where I swapped it out with other overdrives, but I always came back to it. It's one of the few overdrives that would work with all of my electric guitars, and even with my magnetic pickup equipped acoustics which I play blues slide guitar on. But eventually I replaced it with the the Fulldrive 3 which is VERY similar in tone but is a bit more versatile.

[greatmutah2112]

I’ve had a couple Fulltones.  A Supa Trem which I eventually sold and a MDV-2 which has permanent residence on my pedalboard.  Sad to see his company fade out like this but at least he’s going out in a good place and will still have some offerings here and there. 

[y2kc]

I have a Full Drive II that I purchased early on. Inside and on the bottom are hand drawn goodies. It did not work when I called mike up and asked him

what to do. Over the phone he directed me to snip a wire between two whatchamacallit's and presto it has worked all these years. Those were the days.

 

The pedal, for what I play is grainy and too Gainy. Is Gainy a word?  I still have it but try not to use it. Best wishes to Mike on his retirement.

y2kc

[bolero]

I really like my Fulltone gear: well made & sounds awesome:

Clyde deluxe wah

Tube tape echo

GT350

OCD

Octa-fuzz

  I think he really kickstarted the whole high-quality boutique pedal industry too, when he started out? Anyway, I hope he keeps releasing stuff in the future.