Boss Pedals: BD-2 Vs. DS-1 Vs. OD-3 Vs. SD-1

[TelZilla]

Blues Driver / Distortion / OverDrive / Super Overdrive

Can somebody give me an idea what the differences are in these, especially in terms of "gain on tap", transparency, and dynamics?

I'm really looking for something that's pretty close to a clean bost for solos and such- I like my amps, and I just want to hit the amp a little harder for additional volume during solos. I'll run it with the drive low and level high.

Plus, I want something cheap.

Can anyhbody enlighten me?

[BoB/335]

I have an SD1 and would not call it a clean boost. I've been reading a lot on pedals for years now and maybe tout the BD2. But it seems that the OD3 is referred to as a sleeper being a great pedal, very transparent, and not well known enough. The DS1 is suppose to be a very good distortion box but seems as though it would fall short as a clean boost.

[w0odman]

I go easy on the drive knob on my OD-3 and use the level knob mainly. If you do this you can use it as a clean boost like you describe. I love it. My favorite overdrive/boost pedal by far.

[tazzboy]

I don't care much for the blues drive at all I have heard many sound clips and just don't care for it. OD-3 is ok I've only heard one sound clip and that was with someone overdriving. DS-1 I tend think of as more of Heavy Metal type pedal and the sd-1 I don't have comment on it yet cause I haven't heard in action.

[zeeman]

I have all the pedals you mention except the super overdrive. SD1 is definitely not what you want. Out of those you mention the OD3 would come the closest. I also have a sparkle drive and that provides a great clean boost as you can mix the clean and overdrive in any way you like. If you want a pure clean boost you can just set the mix all the way to the right and viola. Might be worth checking out.

[bowlfreshener]

Check out this link with sound samples
http://www.bossus.com/go/compact_pedal_demo/

[ruger9]

If you got a Keeley-modded Blues Driver, you could definitely use it as a clean boost.

However, if you're looking for a VOLUME boost for solos, look into the Barber Launch Pad... extremely high headroom, won't add much gain to the tone (except for the extra signal hitting the amp's tubes, of course.)

Another great pedal for this- I own one & love it- is the Radial PB-1 Power Booster. It's 2 pedal in one: it's an always-on buffer that has an adjustable "drag" control...hard to explain this one, simplest explanation is it's like a tone knob of sorts...check out their website for a full explanation... and a footswitchable volume boost, also adjustable. Small footprint. GREAT, USEFUL pedal.

[hal]

not a fan of Boss pedals unless modified. The Keeley mods are great, but my favorite are the Monte Allums mods. I use his modded OD-3 on my board for lite crunch. Check them out at http://www.monteallums.com/.
AND--very reasonably priced.

[winny pooh]

sd-1 = tube screamer
ds-1 great for rythym cruch but a bit fizzy on the high end
the others I have no experience with.

Calling Joel Terry....

[eddiewagner]

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

Check out this link with sound samples
http://www.bossus.com/go/compact_pedal_demo/

sounds pretty good to me.....

[TelZilla]

How about Bad Monkey? Does that do clean boost pretty well.

Sparkle drive is too $$$$.

[teleclem]

od3 or bd2

[ruger9]

[QUOTE=winny pooh;1104690]sd-1 = tube screamer
QUOTE]

slight correction:

SD-1 = tubescreamer WITH ASYMMETRICAL CLIPPING (tubescreamers have symmeterical clipping)

Boss even had a patent on the asymmeterical circuit for awhile, or so I've read many places online...

[IronJoe]

Originally Posted by TelZilla

I just want to hit the amp a little harder for additional volume during solos.

In my opinion, the only one that remotely matches this description is the od-3. Personally, I use a Tube Screamer for a boost with a little hair, so that's what I'd recommend. Seems like every company has some variation of a TS pedal so take your pick. The ts10 is pretty cheap on ebay.

[tazzboy]

I would say since now I have hear the sound clip of the SD-1. That would recommend that and/or OD-3.

I would recommend checking Ibanez TS-808 or Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive.

[papejazzer]

How about using a volume pedal?

[Chito]

Except for the OD-3, I have all the pedals you mentioned including the Bad Monkey. And as already mentioned, none of the ones you mentioned will give you a transparent boost. The SD1, BD2 and the BM have all different characteristics and it will really depend on what you like to hear in your tone. Altho not an overdrive nor a distortion pedal, I find the BBE Boosta Grande is one of the most transparent boost pedals around and works best if you just need something to boost an already overdriven tube amp.

[tazzboy]

I also forgot to mention get Boss EQ pedal.

[TelZilla]

Hmm- I think I might just try the volume knob.

[6StringShooter]

[QUOTE=ruger9;1105076][QUOTE=winny pooh;1104690]sd-1 = tube screamer
QUOTE]
SD-1 = tubescreamer WITH ASYMMETRICAL CLIPPING (tubescreamers have symmeterical clipping)
QUOTE]


What is the difference?