Donner Blues Drive/Mooer Blues Mood/Boss BD-2 - Help me decide

[RC50OUTWEST]

Based on a couple of hours of research I had decided to buy the Mooer, because it seemed to be the closest to an original BD-2, which costs more than I want to spend. But there seem to be no Mooer Blues Moods available for a reasonable shipping time. Canadian sellers seem to have them, but I'm worried they will be held up in customs.

The Donner Blues Drive is available, and is both cheaper and quicker to get than the Mooer. But, I'm concerned that the Donner is a clone of an OD pedal other than the BD-2, and may not be what I'm looking for, tone-wise.

I'm new to pedals, and am trying to get a classic blues/classic rock kind of sound. I have a Strat, a Tele, and guitars with HB and P90 pickups, and play through a Bugera V5 (small tube amp) with a 1x12 cab.

Anyone have any comments/advice?

 

[Chiogtr4x]

I'm a Donner fan, as I do like cheap pedals, and have a few of their pedals that sound very good ( Reverb/Delay and Chorus)
- but just me,
I still want batteries in any OD/distortion pedal I own, so I can just grab it, w/o a board, for a single set, or just a jam

My ( always ON) Blues Driver is the best OD/boost pedal I've ever owned- since 1997/8. It is amazing.

I'd spend the $$, and get a real Blues Driver

( I think my Martin, and my Blues Driver may be my 'best purchases ever!' - that good!)

 

[Phrygian77]

I have a Donner Blues Drive and I have an old BD-2, and can tell you that the Blues Drive is nothing at all like a BD-2. I don't currently have a Tube Screamer, but it's obvious that the Blues Drive is in that camp. Side by side with my SD-1, it is much more similar than side by with my Blues Driver (BD-2) or even my Timmy.

 

[kuch]

love my BD-2. the only pedal I owned for many, many years.....

 

[northernguitar]

Buy the Boss…it’s the real deal and will survive the apocalypse.

 

[paulblackford]

As I understand it, the TC Electronic Cinders is also a version of the BD-2.

 

[northernguitar]

Done.

Boss BD-2 Blues Driver | Reverb

The Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, since its debut in 1995, has gained popularity for its organic tone and tactile response. Shop New & Used Boss BD-2 Guitar Pedals on Reverb.

reverb.com

 

[RC50OUTWEST]

Thanks for the quick responses. I found a used BD-2 on Reverb, and bought it. Am going with cheap pedals for the 2-4 more that I want, but decided the OD pedal was the most important, and worth spending more.

If anyone has anything to add, I'm still listening.

 

[Phrygian77]

@RC50OUTWEST get a Donner Blues Drive anyway and stack it in front of the BD-2. Any kind of TS based mid boost drive like that, or even a klone, works perfectly in front the Blues Driver. Then get something like a Mooer Black Secret, and with those three you can cover anything.

 

[Hoodster]

The Mooer Blues Mood is basically indistinguishable from the Keeley Phat modded BD2 - great pedal for a steal and tiny footprint.

 

[dlew919]

The blues drive is a tube screamer. As noted above the RV cinders is a bd circuit. Both very good.

 

[Tim S]

BOSS BD-2 & The Best Blues Driver-Style Pedals In 2024 | Delicious Audio

A reguarly updated buyer's guide to the best Blues Driver-Style pedals, including single overdrive clones and dual channel evolutions.

delicious-audio.com

 

[Skyhook]

Thanks for the quick responses. I found a used BD-2 on Reverb, and bought it. Am going with cheap pedals for the 2-4 more that I want, but decided the OD pedal was the most important, and worth spending more.

If anyone has anything to add, I'm still listening.

Please make an NPD posting after you've taken the BD-2 through its paces.