Fulltone MDV-1 User Manual
Congratulations on your purchase of the
Mini-Deja’Vibe
Model MDV-1
What was an “original Univibe?” It has nothing to do with the company who currently owns the Trademark for the
name, rather it was an effects device made between late-1968 and 1973 designed to replicate a Leslie rotating
speaker by using a tiny light bulb and four photo-resistors to help achieve its odd blend of pitch-bend vibrato and
chorus-like Phase-Shifting. Although it didn’t much sound too like a Leslie, its watery sound took on a life of its
own, and can be heard on many recordings ranging from Hendrix, to Pink Floyd, to Van Morrison.
Original Univibes were large effects boxes mated to a separate wah-style foot-pedal (to control the modulation
speed) via a (5 pin) quick-disconnect cable. Old ‘vibes were very inconsistent from one unit to the next and were
prone to malfunctioning, with no one knowing how to fix them let alone how to make them sound good
again....well, almost no one. I started out in the ‘80’s collecting, dealing, and repairing ’vibes, which lead to the
somewhat bright idea of re-designing and building a bullet-proof new ‘vibe clone in a smaller footprint. My goal
was to make a True-Bypass ‘vibe that was more reliable, could be tweaked by the user to his/her taste, and that
was 1/4 the “original Univibe’s” astronomical used-market selling price!
I have been making my Deja’Vibe (the exact “original Univibe” clone) for 20+ years, and am the only ‘vibe-maker
having original-spec photocells custom-made, the only one making a custom mirror-finish surfaced lightbulb
reflector shrouds, and the only one using the Panasonic/Masushita 2SC828 transistors that the original Univibes
used. MDV-1 pedals sold after 2/1/2015 require an 18 volt DC power supply...we recommend the Fulltone FPS-3
which is included (US, Canada, & Japan only). You don’t have to be a Trower or Hendrix fan to appreciate the
MDV-1, you just have to appreciate that massive pulsating wall of sound it helps you create when you switch it
on. So I say to you now...Play on.
C
2015 FMP Inc. All Rights Reserved
Michael Fuller / President
Mini-Deja’Vibe
Input Jack: plug guitar into this, or cable coming from the “out” of another effect.
Output Jack: plug cable going to amp into this, or cable going to “input” of another effect.
Intensity Knob: controls the amount of effect (chorus and Vibrato) by increasing (clockwise) or decreasing (counter-clockwise)
the brilliance of the light source circuitry. For faster speeds, reduce the Intensity a bit.
Volume Knob: affects the overall volume of the pedal...but only when the pedal is turned "on."
Speed Knob: this sets the rate of the modulation, and will be reflected visually by the flashing LED.
I gave the MDV an over-sized knob so that you can adjust the speed on-the-fly using your feet.
Speed/Status LED: This bright LED not only tells you when the effect is On, but also pulses at the selected speed so you can visually
sync to the desired tempo.
Chorus/Vibrato switch: When this switch is set to Vibrato you get out of tune pitch-bend vibrato with no phasing. When this switch
is set to Chorus you get the familiar Hendrix/Trower phasing sounds that we all grew up with.
Modern/Vintage switch: Set this switch to Vintage for stock warm “Vintage Univibe” sounds of a darker nature, or set it to Modern for
more output and brightness...great for use with less distorted tones!
Warning! Do not use any voltage other than 18VDC. Your MDV-1 comes with the finest power supply available, the Fulltone FPS-3
(for USA, Japan, & Canada only) 18VDC power supply. You may only use a 18 volt DC supply offering at least 100ma. of current, and using the
standard 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel connector configured Center-Negative.The symbol for “Center Negative” is the following:
If you use a pedalboard Power supply, make sure to use one that is “Regulated” and has “Isolated outputs” (for example: the Voodoo Lab
PedalPower2) so that exactly 18.0 volts DC is supplied. If you use a non-regulated 18VDC power supply, the unit’s bulb will either be brighter
or dimmer than is recommended and will not perform correctly and may be noisy.
MDV-1 Features:
Light Source Trimmer control: Warning! This trimmer allows you to fine-tune the amount of current that gets to the light bulb thus adjusting
the amount of pitch-bend Vibrato and Phasing.This is set at our shop and should not need adjustment but (if need be) should only be adjusted
by someone who understands the nature of the circuit and how the Lightbulb affects the overall sound. The Trimmer is accessible by opening up
the pedal and using a small slotted or Phillips-head screw driver to turn the Trimmer slightly Counter Clock-Wise (CCW)
to DECREASE bulb brightness, increasing the “Phase Swoosh.” Or Turn slightly CW to INCREASE bulb brightness and “Phase Swoosh.”
You have to use your ears, but our optimal setting is marked around the access hole should you want to return to the factory setting.
Warranty: Fulltone products carry a Limited 5 year Warranty to the original owner with proof of purchase the product was bought
from an Authorized Fulltone Dealer. There is no need to register your product, simply keep a copy of your original sales receipt.
The Warranty covers failure due to manufacturing errors only and is void if a mod or repair is attempted by anyone other than Fulltone
(or an Authorized Fulltone Repairman) and/or if we deem that any operator-caused abuse or damage has occurred. Things that would
cause voiding of the Warranty would include: the use of an incorrect power supply, water damage, physical abuse, etc. If you are having
a technical issue please do not call. Instead, email engineer@fulltone.com to troubleshoot the problem and (only after troubleshooting) for
the scheduling of your repair. After we have decided that a repair is necessary, we will email you an Acrobat PDF copy of our Return
Authorization Form. (RA Form) You then print it out, fill out all the information, and include it in the box with the effect you are sending.
Fulltone Musical Products Inc. is not responsible for and injuries and/or damages related to the use of our products. The Customer is
responsible for all shipping costs. Thank you for buying the Fulltone MDV-1!
for Sales, Techical, or Repair related questions go to www.fulltone.com/contact-us
C
2015 FMP Inc. All Rights Reserved
Fulltone Musical Products Inc.
11018 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
for more info and expanded information/videos go to http://www.fulltone.com
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