Opinions on the Bluesbreaker mk1

Had one. Loved it. Regret selling it still after all these years. Bought a clone, and I can't tell the difference, so it doesn't hurt too bad.

 

Had one don't miss it, can be brittle sounding. Works best w/ a signal chain that can roll of a bit of high end w/o getting flubby or muddy
IMHO current price is driven more by hype and collector value i.e. "made in UK while Jim was still in charge " than any real uniqueness. Try a Boss 59 Bassman w/ just a hint of gain for a much better result if you are trying to fatten your sound w/ just a hint of breakup. It's a misunderstood pedal, and often used as a OD which it is not ; this gives poor results so it's avalable cheap.

 

I built a clone and I really like it more than dozens of other OD/distortions I have. I use it with clean Fender amps and it is just right for me.

 

Whats the difference between an original and the bluesbreaker 2?

I really like that pedal, often works well with a Ts9 as well.

 

To say someone isn't using a drive pedal correctly because they are using it as an overdrive seems like nothing more than personal bias.
To say it gives poor results is entirely subjective. I used one for years, and LOVED those poor results. One person's poor result is
another person's delight and joy.

 

You need to turn the gain almost all the way up to get a good sound, but it's worth getting

 

Please re read I'm speaking of the Bassman.Boss is very clear that both the Bassman & DR pedals are character modeling pedals, and that the gain control is primarily for evening out response between a variety of guitars and amps, there are literally 100s of reviews on line that criticize these pedals when used as a overdrive, which is true.. they sound bad, because that is not their intended purpose. They do have the ability to impart a full singing sustain to even a low cost rig at a wide range of volumes. I found the BB to work best in a limited application and even then it really doesn't sound much like Clapton on the BB album because well he didnt use such a thing, it also doesn't provide the fat full od of a '45 at all levels. Marshal needed a name for the low gain pedal of the three & latched on to that. For the original price of $50 if you like it fine if not..no harm no foul but $300 +is a lot to pay for a pedal based on name association, when there are less expensive alternatives that are closer in tone & provide more flexibility in sound shaping.

 

Ah, my mistake. I see what I missed now.

 

I think the snouse #1 fits the need.

 

They were okay -- quite low output. Sounded better with a Fender sort of amp. The footswitches wore out on them quickly.

 

The BBV1, mk 1 is the warmest. After that they get progressively more harsh and thin to my ear. I think that's where the reputation as an overly bright pedal comes from.

 

I like to think of the Bluesbreaker as a boost pedal to be used it into an already overdriven amp or into another OD pedal. It seems to highlight another part of the midrange than a TS does... If you are getting it for gain you gonna be let down, especially if you think that "Bluesbreaker" means it's gonna make you sound like early Clapton or that the thing was modeled after a JTM45 sound...as I've seen some claim - It was not! It's a "goosing" pedal, just like a TS.

 

I've recently discovered the Bluesbreaker pedal. For me it is the best OD pedal I've tried except for the Prince of Tone. I took a Bluesbreaker clone and modded it to the King of Tone specs. When paired with the POT I have a KOT which is truely amazing. Unity gain on both pedals gives me an overdrive sound that I've never been able to get before: compression, sustain and breakup. I'm on the waiting list for a KOT at this point.

 

I like the bluesbreaker mk1 ... it has shortcomings like a lack of volume but otherwise a really nice lower gain overdrive

 

It's not generally known that there were two versions of the original BB. The '92 version has a warmer sound. Around 1994 Marshall changed the value of two resistors and a small cap, making the pedal a little louder and much brighter. The KOT and POT are based on the warmer variant. Not sure about the Snouse. I've been playing a GGG clone with the '92 specs for years and have recently added a Chicago Stompworks clone of the brighter '94 pedal to my stable. It's a nice through-hole build in a MXR size enclosure and cost me $59. I like both pedals a lot.

If you're going to be using a strat or tele with low-output, vintage style pickups, I'd seek out a BB with the '92 specs. If you've got hot pickups, p-90's or humbuckers, the '94 might be a better choice. Either way, the changes are easy and can be made by any competent tech, providing you buy a pedal with a through-hole build. PM me if you want particulars about the differences.

 

If the OP is thinking of buying a vintage BB for $300, IMO it's a bad idea, mostly because they are big, heavy, old, expensive, poorly built and hard to repair when the parts break off the board.

Lots of clones available though, and they are uniquely able to make an amp sound like itself but louder IME.
Course, IDK what the OP wants it to do?
There's always the PoT as well, which I believe can be operated like a BB1, though technically it's a little different even on the OD setting.