Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I just wondered if anyone's ever tried to power their Fulltone pedals (Fulldrive II or Fat Boost more specifically) from an 18v supply, and if so, how does it change the tone?

It's something I'd consider doing myself if it's worth doing, but don't really wannt to 'waste' the money on a new power adaptor for the pedals if it doesn't make too much difference

Thanks.

Craig

 

[Curly]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

I think Mike Fuller has some comments about this on his site.

I think the basic idea is that it's more dynamic, with more range.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

Curly's right on. I'm powering my OCD with a Dunlop 18v wall wart(Dead quiet, no hum for $12) and it really opened up the tone and made it more dynamic than before. IMHO, it made enough of a difference in tone to warrent it's own power supply.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

Wonderful idea
Headroom!! Eh..lol

 

[Brow]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

Hey guys. thanks for your replies

On my Pedaboard (soon to be totally re-built now I've got my custom looper ) I power everything with a Diago Power Station (http://www.diago.co.uk/pedal-power) and they have a connector available that can take a 9v input source (from the power supply itself) and then double it up to 18v http://www.diago.co.uk/component/pa...acturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,90/

I may just buy 1 of these and see how I like the change in tone on my Fulltone pedals

 

[Stratman]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

It work quite well on my Fulldrive II. More open and substainable quality / level of fun tone. (Guitar driven music)

However, not all pedals can handle that increased voltage.

 

[greco]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

However, not all pedals can handle that increased voltage.

I can hear the cursing (through little wafts of smoke) already.


BTW, apart from contacting the manufacturer, how would one determine if a 9V pedal could handle 18V ?

Dave

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

I'm interested as well, and haven't tried it. It's only because my Line 6's are taking up those outlets.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

I really want to try it with my OCD and Fulldrive II, especially the Fulldrive, cuz that thing sounds very amp-like already! And I could always use some more headroom out of those pedals (bigger and brighter), some more of that will always help with my smallish Gibson GA5 amp.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

If the capacitors, transistors and opamps in any pedal can handle 18 volts, then there is no problem.

For the large manufacturers (Boss, Ibanez, MXR/Dunlop, etc.) it's just a matter of looking at the parts and looking them up. However, most of the electrolytic caps will be rated at 16 volts because they have a smaller footprint on the PCB. Smaller part count circuits may have 25 volt eletrolytic caps.

But then you get builders that goop their pedals to hide their secrets so the only way to find out is to contact them. And yes, Fulltone does this. It's a good bet that any pedal of his can handle 18 volts though.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

Fulltone does this. It's a good bet that any pedal of his can handle 18 volts though.

I think that he does state this on his website, but better check to be sure.

 

[Brow]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

Thanks for the posts guys

Here's what Mike Fuller has to say about this

the FD2 gets much more dynamic, a little brighter and a lot less compressed, more articulate, more amp-like, with more of the strings coming through....very nice!. The "Comp-Cut" mode gets a serious increase in headroom without distorting. Using 18volts DC, The FatBoost gets tons more Clean headroom, doesn't distort at all, and can get upwards of 30db of crystal clear gain. The Bassdrive just MUCH better for Bass guitar with the extra headroom and clarity.

I think I'll buy 1 of those voltage doubler adaptors that I posted above, just to see how I like the effect

 

[lpmarshall]

Re: Fulltone pedals powered from 18v

I was running my MI Audio Crunch Box for awhile at 18v, and just like running Fulltone pedals at 18v, it gets more dynamic and amp like with less compression.