The Caline Crazy Cacti is an overdrive pedal with a built-in boost, made by Caline and also listed as the CP-2012. Reviewers describe it as an apparent clone of the Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET, carrying over that pedal's mode switches and boost arrangement at a much lower price12. For a player, that means two footswitchable stages in one box: an overdrive with three selectable voicings, and a boost that stacks on top of it.
What it does
The Crazy Cacti splits its controls between an overdrive side and a boost side. The overdrive side has Volume, Tone and Drive knobs, and a boost signal knob sits on the far right of the row1. Two footswitches turn the stages on and off: overdrive on the left, boost on the right1.
One thing to know before buying: the boost only activates when the overdrive is on, so it cannot be used on its own with other pedals1.
There is no spot for a 9-volt battery, only a 9-volt plug in the back, so the pedal needs a power supply1.
The mode switches
Two toggle switches shape the overdrive's character. The first selects one of three tone modes1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Vintage | Old-style FD2 mid-heavy tones that cut through the mix; a vintage overdrive suited to blues and classic rock32 |
| FM | "Flat-mids": a more natural, transparent sound, like a modern transparent overdrive12 |
| Comp Cut | Removes the bounding from the feedback loop, working like a clean boost, with rougher overdrive sounds possible at higher settings12 |
The second toggle, on the right side of the pedal, switches between Standard and Mosfet settings, with the Mosfet setting giving more volume and a little more power1. In the Fulldrive-derived design this is a clipping choice: MOSFET clipping on one position, and Normal clipping on the other, described as even more asymmetrical, sweeter, more open, with no "blanket" over the sound2.
What reviewers said
Two YouTube reviewers covered the pedal, in 2014 and 2020, and both came away positive.
Shane of intheblues reviewed it in November 2014, noting its many options including a transparent overdrive, vintage overdrive, and either a clean or full-on boost3.
Jay of Rock and Groove reviewed it in June 2020 and was enthusiastic about the pedal overall:
"I think the petal is great I love it I think it works really good it sounds fantastic it's got great dynamics"1
He kept it on his pedalboard and called it definitely worth the money1. On the details, he was more mixed:
- He was not a big fan of the Standard setting and preferred pushing the toggle up to Mosfet1.
- In Vintage mode with the toggle down at Standard, the volume drops significantly lower, which troubled him a little1.
- Overall volume is a little softer compared to his other pedals, and it does not get as loud unless the gain and boost are cranked1.
- Through his Vox AC15 on a clean tone, Comp Cut only added more highs, though he noted that on an amp not known for its clean channel it works as a wonderful clean boost1.
On build quality, he found a solid, heavy construction with a solid metal bottom rather than cheap plastic, footswitches that click nicely, bright LEDs, and good quality knobs1.
A 2014 demo video from MrSanSystem described the pedal as an overdrive with boost and a Fulltone Fulldrive clone with true bypass, and offered a favorable impression of one specific setting:
"It sounds great on a strat's Neck Pickup, truly spectacular!"2
That verdict was for FM mode on a Stratocaster neck pickup2.
Where it sits among Caline overdrives
The Crazy Cacti is one of several Caline overdrives built on known boutique circuits. Others in the range include the CP-84 Honeycomb Tone Overdrive, the G-002 Green Mamba Drive, and the Mellow Drive. What sets the Crazy Cacti apart within the lineup is its dual footswitch layout and the Fulldrive-derived mode and clipping toggles, which give it more voicing options in one box than a single-knob clone.
For a player weighing it against the original, the practical differences reviewers pointed to are the boost's dependence on the overdrive being on, and the softer overall volume compared to other pedals, against a price the reviewer saw ranging from 35 to 50 dollars in 20201.
Videos
intheblues
MrSanSystem
Rock and Groove
Questions
What is the Caline Crazy Cacti based on?
Reviewers describe it as an apparent clone of the Fulltone Fulldrive 2 MOSFET, an overdrive and boost pedal. It carries over the Fulldrive's Vintage, FM and Comp Cut modes plus a Standard/MOSFET clipping switch and a separate boost knob.
Does the Crazy Cacti take a battery?
No. There is no compartment for a 9-volt battery, only a 9-volt DC input on the back, so it needs a power supply or an isolated pedalboard power output.
Can the boost be used on its own?
No. The boost only activates when the overdrive side is switched on, so it cannot be used as a standalone boost with other pedals in your chain.
How much does the Caline Crazy Cacti cost?
One reviewer in 2020 had seen it priced anywhere between $35 and $50, which is far below the boutique pedal it is based on. Prices vary by seller.
Sources (3)
- Caline Crazy Cacti Overdrive Pedal, Rock and Groove (YouTube), 2020-06-09
- CALINE Crazy Cacti CP-20 (Overdrive, Clone Fulltone), MrSanSystem (YouTube), 2014-04-06
- Caline Crazy Cacti Overdrive Pedal, intheblues (YouTube), 2014-11-02
