Boss Blues Driver vs. Boss Super Overdrive

[D Phillips]

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

[No Twang Please]

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.

[Ben Harmless]

Originally Posted by No Twang Please

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."

[telerocker5150]

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

www.robertkeeley.com

[Brennantele]

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.

[D Phillips]

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.

[Buddaman]

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.

[Stephens]

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.

[shades]

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

http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/e.../intro_R_L.jpg

[D Phillips]

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.

[telecat33511]

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? )

[jarmijo]

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!!!

[Telenator]

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.

[RedRock]

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.

[DaBender]

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.

[saladin]

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

[Tele-phone man]

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