Fulltone Fat-Boost FB-3

- Volume knob
- Gain knob
- Bass knob
- Treble knob
- LED
- External 9 volt power connection
- Internal 9 volt battery connection


UTILIZATION

This pedal can be used in a few ways. You can use it as a clean boost (it's likely intention). You can use it as an EQ (albeit a limited one). Or you can use it as a light overdrive pedal. I prefer to use it as an overdrive pedal, not to say it does not work well in those other functions, I just don't need those.

To use it as an overdrive, as you might suspect, you crank the gain and keep the volume knob around 9:00 (EQ to suit your gear). To use it to EQ, set the volume and gain levels at a point where they don't affect the volume of the amp and EQ to taste. To use it as a clean boost, pretty much do the opposite of how to use it as an overdrive.

SOUND QUALITY

I used to own a Fatboost V1 that was stolen many years ago. I bought this because I figured it had two EQ knobs (where as the old one just had a single "tone" knob), so that would make it more functional. That's on paper. Reality bares a different result.

The V1 of the pedal worked well with all amps I tried it with. The latest pedal, not so much. It tends to create metallic sounding overtones that are rather unpleasant. I don't recall this issue with the V1. You can turn down the treble, but it goes from metallic to dull without anything in between. There also seems to be a LOT more bass frequencies in this pedal. Almost too much with humbuckers.

If you find a guitar/amp combination this pedal works with, it's magical. If you don't get magic you get painful clanging.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm not sure why Fulltone messed with the perfection that was the first pedal. Maybe they just wanted to update it (now twice). Maybe Mike Fuller wanted to give people a reason to buy a new pedal? Who knows. All I know is I want my original Fatboost back!

I'm not really into this pedal so my review will dictate that unpleasant feeling towards it. This is a subtle pedal in that the effect it gives while very transparent is extremely low. You will hear a difference when you engage this pedal from your normal rig tone but it doesn't do a whole lot.

However, the way I believe it was designed was to use at the end of your signal chain and a line booster if anything. In this application it achieves the tone when loosing signal with long effects chains or long instrument cables. The Fulltone Fat Boost 3 is slightly different then is previous examples.

•The FB-3 brings back the v1 11-position Gain control to give the ultimate in control over the FETs
•The FB-3 adds one more stage of FET so that the pedal does not invert your signal
•The FB-3 cures v1's huge bass increase and dull high-end issues, but allows those sounds as well should you so desire.

Fulltone FatBoost 3 FB-3 Guitar Effects Pedal Features:

* 11-position gain control
* Additional stage of FET
* Cures v1's huge bass increase and dull high-end issues
* Class-A, FET (Field-Effect-Transistor)
* 35db of non-distorted gain
* Super-bright LED
* 5-year Warranty



UTILIZATION

Pretty simple to use...it has two control knobs and two mini knobs that dial in the bass and treble as desired. When it comes to these types of pedals I am really looking for something that doesn't alter the tone. So when I see knobs to dial EQ I pass my interest very quickly. Especially it is something that is used as a buffer which ideally would have no EQ operation. Just a box and maybe one control knob like the Flying Dragon from Lizard Leg Effects.

SOUND QUALITY

Like I mentioned previously the sound is very good but not too much of a difference. I like using boost for amps on occasion but this doesn't do it for me. I think I would much rather get an OCD from Fulltone and run it as a clean boost. But if this thing is designed for the end of your chain than I would pass on it.

If I need an EQ boost than I would get an MXR EQ and be done with it. The EQing for me just kills this idea for a pedal. If I need a buffer than I'd buy one from Wampler.

OVERALL OPINION

I would pass on this pedal. It is pretty inexpensive coming in new at around $125, but I think you can pass on it if you don't have long effects chains or long cables. Fulltone products are made to high quality standards so this pedal is very good quality but not a real need for it in my opinion.

I probably would only reccomend this pedal to someone in need of an inexpensive and subtle boost. It is pretty cheap and will boost your amp a little. If you need a pedal to stack on top of your existing overdrive pedal than this is a good pedal for that. It does give a solid boost to other OD pedals.

The Fulltone Fat Boost 3 is a high quality booster pedal designed for use with electric guitar. While you can probably use it with other electronic instruments, I'd recommend using it only guitar since this is what it is designed for. The pedal has 1/4" connections for input and output and requires power from a nine volt power supply. The Fat Boost 3 has a class-A FET design and true bypass as well. It isn't rack mountable in any way as it is stomp box.

UTILIZATION

Using the Fulltone Fat Boost 3 is incredibly simple, as there are only a few parameters to work with here. Really when it comes to boost pedals, you don't need much, so it isn't like they are skimping here either. The pedal simply has large knobs for volume and drive, as well as two smaller knobs to control your bass and treble levels. A manual isn't necessary at all with the Fat Boost 3.

SOUND QUALITY

I've used the Fulltone Fat Boost 3 for recording and live shows in tandem with a Fender Jazzmaster and a 1976 Fender Twin Reverb, so I definitely got an accurate read on what the pedal truly sounds like, and I'm loving what I hear from it. The pedal isn't as subtle as most booster pedals out there, which is a good thing for me as I like the drive I get out of this bad boy. I definitely wouldn't recommend it in place of an overdrive pedal or anything like that, but it can definitely give you sounds ranging from subtle boosting to full on drive.

OVERALL OPINION

While more expensive than your average boosting pedal, if you're going to be using a pedal like this consistently, I'd recommend ponying up for the Fulltone Fat Boost 3, as it is up there with the best boosting pedals that I've used. The clean design and sound are definitely a steal, even at this price. Do not overlook the Fulltone Fat Boost 3 if you're looking to pick up a boosting pedal for your guitar.