Boss Blues Driver vs. Boss Super Overdrive

How close or how different are the Boss BD-2 and SD-1 pedals? I have owned an SD-1, but never played a BD-2. I love OD pedals. Would it be useful to own both or somewhat redundant? Thanks.

Doug

Honestly there is very little difference in these two pedals. I would personally go with the SD-1 only. You will probably get folks here telling you that you need this mod or that mod to get a killer sound from either pedal. The SD-1 gets points on sound and price. The BD-2 is twice as much and no, you won't have much variety of sound if you get both.

Honestly there is very little difference in these two pedals.

Wow. You're certainly welcome to your observations, but I couldn't disagree more. I own both, and they're night and day to me.

The SD-1 is very tubescreamer. If you like that sort of thing, it's great. I use it for pushing my Marshall on occasion, but overall, it's way to middy and colored for me.

The BD-2 has about twice the available dirt, and twice the available clean boost. It is also much flatter overall, without a real mid boost to speak of. It's still colored, but more in the area of the lows, which roll off a bit. That can be good or bad, but it does help keep the lows cleaner overall. Not as much "grease" as the SD-1, but more "oomph."

KEELEY MODDED BD-2! i have used both pedals stock and modded. the bd-2 sounds so much better!

www.robertkeeley.com

I have both, an old beat up stock SD-1 and a keeley BD-2. Ben hit in on the head. The SD-1 is a lot more tubescreamerish. I use the BD-2 for rhythm and the SD-1 to kick it for solo's. They're both great pedals.

Thanks for the responses!

My tastes have changed so much over the years. I used to be really into using chorus, delay, phase, and other modulation effects. In the last few years I have developed more of an appreciation for OD's and distortion. I would like to have 2 or 3 different options to play around with. I will check out a Blues Driver in person this weekend and might try mixing it with an SD-1. Thanks again.

I recently put together a mini pedal board with a Boss CS-3 compressor, an SD-1 overdrive and an RV-3 reverb/delay. Considering that I picked up the SD-1 brand new at GC for $29.99 I cannot complain one BIT!!!

I agree that the SD-1 is more TS-ish. One interesting thing about it is that the tone knob seems to have more of a pronounced mid-range sweep than a typical hi-cut type tone pot. You can hit a chord and slowly sweep the tone knob until you emphasize the frequency that you want. Very cool pedal. I think the BD is great too, though I hear a little more of the fizz that I usually dislike in OD pedals. Still a pretty good gain pedal though. Excellent with the Keeley mod.

Peace.

I have a Keeley BD-2 and have it set for a mild overdrive. I find it to be a great alternative to the Tubescreamer sound. The SD-1 is very Tubescreamer sounding because it is almost the exact same circuit. I like the SD-1 too but the BD-2 is capable of more clean and more overdrive as Ben stated above. Basically the SD-1 to my ears can be a bit harder or edgier sounding while the BD-2 can really sound smooth and even.

I prefer the BD-2 myself, but here is a handy comparison chart to peruse...

http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/en/BD-2/images/intro_R_L.jpg

:cool:

I have ended up with both the SD-1 and the BD-2. Both are great pedals. I have to agree with what most folks have said. The SD-1 is very Tubescreamer like which is great considering the price difference between a TS and an SD-1. The Blues Driver is a great pedal for a couple of reasons. I love the drive it can produce and what a great clean boost it can be used for.

I have a BD which is great, but I've been itching for an SD-1 for some odd reason
( wanted something edgier maybe? my birthday's coming up maybe? )

i have both
the SD1 equaliza in A a lot of mid range, like a tubescreamer
th BD 2 equaliza in V more clean and a really more dirty

they are diferent!!!

I have the Analogman Modded BD2 and it's super sweet. Way better than stock.

Now I can get anything from a sweet, clean boost to out right hair raising overdrive! It's in the classified section if you're seriously considering one.

In my opinion,

The Blues Driver has a edgy, raspy top end that has been discussed in other
threads;

The SD-1 is much smoother and musical sounding. Of course, your mileage may
vary.

I have both, though my SD-1 has the "808 mod", and I tend to agree with RedRock. I use the SD-1 when I want a fat sound for slide or the occasional dirty rythm, while the BD-2 has more bite, and sounds nastier to me.

Neither....OD-3 for the win!

Anyone considering either pedal should check this site out. I just tried the SD1 mod, and the change was unbelievable. He has a few different mod kits for each pedal, and I'm currently trying to get a hold of a BD2 to mod. The sound clips and the reviews at Harmony Central (especially for the BD2) are incredible.

http://www.monteallums.com/pedal_mods.html