NPD Boss Blues Driver

[b2187101]

After buying and selling numerous pedals, finally found one I like. Boss Blues Driver gives my AC15C1 just the right amount of crunch and boost that I have been wanting.

I like the tube distortion that the VOX has... was looking for something to push it over the top just a little- without making it sound like a solid state amp. IMHO, I never thought the VOX took pedals "well".

Glad I found one I like, really loving it.

[Chiogtr4x]

Lot's of Blues Driver love here, its a versatile favorite !

[Weaselcoon]

I dig my Blues Driver quite a bit.

[ce24]

The BD2 setting on my Boss ME50 is very good....duh...but the other guitarist in my ba/nd as a Keeley modded one and mine gets VERY close to his......I like the sound

[Big_Bend]

I love my BD-2, especially with the Galaxie mod from Machine Head Pedals. Highly recommended!!!

[jebbo]

I loved my bd-2, but it made an irratating buzz when I hit high notes. I couldn't stand it, so I attempted to mod it. (It didn't work out.) I don't know what I did wrong, but obviously something went wrong. I can bypass it, but when I turn it on it just mutes my signal. RIP blues driver. It didn't live to see a gig.

[mal paso]

Congrats! It's always nice to find a piece that fits the puzzle.



This may sound crazy but





I prefer the BD-2 to the OCD

[Rockdog]

Originally Posted by mal paso

This may sound crazy but





I prefer the BD-2 to the OCD

That doesn't sound crazy at all.

I tend to agree with you here. I prefer the more open, transparent sound of the BD-2 to the more compressed sound of the OCD. Both are great pedals--they're just different tools in the shed.

I will say, however, that I think the BD-2 greatly benefits from a well-done mod. I have the Keeley version and I love it.

[mal paso]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what exactly does the Keeley mod do? Or the Galaxie, for that matter?

[Wrong-Note Rod]

I've got two of them, one each for a couple of different pedalboards. I always use mine to boost an already saturated dirt sound.

[Chiogtr4x]

Originally Posted by mal paso

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but what exactly does the Keeley mod do? Or the Galaxie, for that matter?

No hi-jack here. we are talking Blues Drivers!

I have the MHP "Galaxie Mod" Blues Driver and what Keith @ MHP (11 Gauge ) does to the BD-2 (I don't know or understand the 'nuts and bolts' but I think it involves a lot of component changes...) are two basic things:

The mod takes the 'fizz' (that you can get out of the Gain knob at higher rotation) out of the Gain control, by actually reducing some gain, making that control work smoother over its entire range

The mod also make the Tone control (especially in conjunction with high Gain control settings) not be ice-picky like the stock one can get (say with single coil bridge PU's) past NOON. There is a more gradual taper on the Tone control

The mod does not change the Blues Driver great (guitar volume knob cleanup) dynamic ability (say with Level at NOON and Gain @ 1:00-2:00 clock), or its clean boosting/flat EQ (say with Level @ 1:00-2:00 and Gain @ 9:00 clock)

edit: I presonally prefer using a BD-2 as an "always ON' pedal as I can roll from clean to OD with my guitar

[tlimbert65]

My BD-2 is my favorite pedal. If you go easy on the gain and tone, it does a good job of mild, transparent overdrive, and helps a decent SS amp sound more tube-ish, as well.

[mal paso]

Hey Chio,


Thanks for the response! Very informative, I may have to look into that.

[Chiogtr4x]

Originally Posted by mal paso

Hey Chio,


Thanks for the response! Very informative, I may have to look into that.

Sure, I'm a Blues Driver fan, stock or modded- just find it to be versatile if you spend time with it.

I like them at low Gain mainly for giving me just a little bit of breakup to my basic guitar>clean Fender amp tone w/out messing with my EQ.

For me who plays (old) R&B, swing blues, '50's and '60's R&R/country where a cleanish tone is still predominant, a BD-2 is a good friend. I prefer using other pedals when ramping up to harder rocking music (more coloring to the EQ of my amp, plus different sounding distortion), which for me is NOT really that hard (Say Stones, Allmans) and I will just use them, usually with the BD-2 still ON

[jdaunt]

I'm having traders remorse over mine. I liked it, but wanted a new amp so threw that out as a trade in to get a nice discount on my amp. But not wishing I still had it (and the amp of course) and am thinking about getting another. Also considering a Boosta Grande or MXR Micro Amp for a more clean boost. But I did really like the boost the BD-2 gave, so am leaning that way.

[minstrel55]

I've played one, but don't own one... on the short list.

[Wrong-Note Rod]

Originally Posted by jdaunt

I'm having traders remorse over mine. I liked it, but wanted a new amp so threw that out as a trade in to get a nice discount on my amp. But not wishing I still had it (and the amp of course) and am thinking about getting another. Also considering a Boosta Grande or MXR Micro Amp for a more clean boost. But I did really like the boost the BD-2 gave, so am leaning that way.

the Micro Amp isnt a bad way to go. Its got a sort of mild upper mid kick to it. I use mine a lot.

[Rusrant]

I've had mine for several years, and still seem to always go back to it. I was using a bunch of different things, but the BD-2 gets me the sound I need from clean to cranked. Mine is modded slightly to tweak the bass and mids, but even stock they are great pedals.

[telerocker1988]

I had one, got rid of it. Missed it so I bought another.

I probably will look into getting it modded when I have the dough. Also need to get my TS-9 modded so I'm probably going to send them to the same place - haven't decided where.

That said, I enjoy it stock with the gain set low and the level set high alongside a Tubescreamer type.

[colchar]

I've got one of the new limited edition blue AC15s on order and have been thinking about which pedal to add to it. I saw a video online of a Blues Driver being played through an AC15 and thought it sounded great so I am seriously considering one for myself but I have a question - I find some Boss pedals to be rather trebly or ice picky. Since the AC15 can be a bright amp to begin with does the BD2 exacerbate that?