BD-2 Blues Driver

[just strum]

After reading the thums up in the other thread I started doing some reading on this pedal and the only negative I was able to find was

"In a nutshell: good at low gain, real warm when I turn my bottom tone knob almost all the way down with some spring reverb. When the gain is high it sounds terrible. I'm sending it off to get modded. Pretty good on low gain."

and

"MOD THIS PEDAL!
The bd-2 standard sounds pretty good, especially at low gain. But with a mod it sounds incredible. I did the monte allums h20 plus mod and am very happy with it. It really turned this pedal into my favorite overdrive pedal."

Just curious if anyone agrees or disagrees - also, does anyone have one that is modded?

 

[tunghaichuan]

I've got two. I just purchased a used, like-new one in the box to mod, but have not done so yet. My other one is about 10 years old now.

For some reason, they sound different. The older one is very harsh when the gain is all the way up. I have to leave the tone control at about 9 o'clock or it gets this nasty, shrill high end. With the gain on about 10 o'clock or so and the tone at 12 o'clock, it does a very nice jangly, "transparent overdrive" sound. When the gain is all the way down and the level is all the way up it does a great clean boost. But you have to mind the tone knob or it gets harsh.

The newish one sounds pretty good with the gain cranked. The tone knob doesn't sound nearly as harsh. I'm really tempted to use the older one as a clean boost and the newer one as an OD, and not mod it as I planned to do.

I would suggest trying out the BD-2, don't buy it sight unseen (or unheard?). And use your guitar(s) and amp(s) if possible.

Premier Guitar Magazine did a nice article on modding the BD-2.

tung

After reading the thums up in the other thread I started doing some reading on this pedal and the only negative I was able to find was

"In a nutshell: good at low gain, real warm when I turn my bottom tone knob almost all the way down with some spring reverb. When the gain is high it sounds terrible. I'm sending it off to get modded. Pretty good on low gain."

and

"MOD THIS PEDAL!
The bd-2 standard sounds pretty good, especially at low gain. But with a mod it sounds incredible. I did the monte allums h20 plus mod and am very happy with it. It really turned this pedal into my favorite overdrive pedal."

Just curious if anyone agrees or disagrees - also, does anyone have one that is modded?

 

[markb]

The one I had was like two different pedals. It gave a very natural and uncoloured overdrive (no mid-hump) which cleaned up wonderfully from the guitar up to about 1 o'clock on the gain. Into a Fender Vibrolux it was like turning up the amp from 4 to 7. Beyond that it turned into a messy, fizzy distortion, Think thin sounding Big Muff, not great. I couldn't use the tone control beyond 10 o'clock with a tele'. In defence of the pedal, I'd say the lower gain range is worth owning one for. I'd look elsewhere for higher gains. Lots of folks swear by them as a low to medium gain pedal and the $20 Monte Allums mod kit is very highly rated.

Oh, and it stacked really well with a Bad Monkey. Set BD-2 low for edgy rhythm tones and kick in the Monkey for mid boosted solos. Using it like this was not dissimilar to what I got from a Fulldrive 2 in FM mode using the boost for solos. This should work with any TS type pedal, Robert Keeley recommends using it this way.

 

[Spudman]

I've kept mine stock. It sounds pretty good and like mark says it stacks really well. Mostly I use mine with the DVM Zonkin Screamer. Killer combo.

 

[F_BSurfer]

I had a BD-2 for 10-12 yrs that I used occasionally couple yrs ago I put H20 mod in it after that never played without it. This is one of the most missed piece of gear that was stolen. I do have a new one now just have not had the time to mod it yet.......I have said it here before this mod takes a good pedal and makes it a really great pedal.

 

[Robert]

I have a modded one and I like it a lot. I can get very nice bluesy tones from it.

I agree it sounds best with the gain lower, but modded it's definitely smoother when the gain is higher.

 

[Tibernius]

You might want to have a look at this, it compares the stock BD-2 with the Robert Keeley modified version:

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/GG-202-REV-BluesDriver.php

Might be worth checking the Digitech "Screamin' Blues" pedal as well, I've got one and it sounds very similar to the BD-2 at medium gain or lower, but sounds a lot better at maximum gain. It sounds like the Mesa patch on the G2.1U.

 

[Kazz]

You might want to have a look at this, it compares the stock BD-2 with the Robert Keeley modified version:

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/GG-202-REV-BluesDriver.php

Might be worth checking the Digitech "Screamin' Blues" pedal as well, I've got one and it sounds very similar to the BD-2 at medium gain or lower, but sounds a lot better at maximum gain. It sounds like the Mesa patch on the G2.1U.

That Screamin Blues pedal is one I have gassed over for probably a year and half...never really made up my mind between that and the bad monkey...so to date still have not bought either. Should probably buy both of them after I pick up my VoX ad30 because until then I am ampless.

 

[birv2]

I'm probably in the minority, but I didn't like it either stock or modded. I had the Keeley mod done, and both were too ice-picky for my ears. A matter of taste, I'm sure. YMMV.

I sold it and kept my Arion Tubulator, which was a lot warmer sounding.

Bob

 

[just strum]

You might want to have a look at this, it compares the stock BD-2 with the Robert Keeley modified version:

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/GG-202-REV-BluesDriver.php

Might be worth checking the Digitech "Screamin' Blues" pedal as well, I've got one and it sounds very similar to the BD-2 at medium gain or lower, but sounds a lot better at maximum gain. It sounds like the Mesa patch on the G2.1U.

zZound has B stock for $40 on the Digitech "Screamin' Blues".

A nice "on/off" demo

http://www.digitech.com/flash/ScreaminBluesDemo.php

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I also have to say that based on what I have heard of the BD-2, it seems to me you can get the clean drives that it does out of DVM's Rabid Rodent pedal, which has the three overdrive clipping modes, and the Ruetz switch, for 3 more overdrives. Plus you get the 3+3 Distortion modes. I think I would go this way if I wanted a Blues Driver. Maybe I am wrong, but I understand the BD-2 to give a clean drive and boost without all the mid range that a TS-9 clone/Bad Monkey gives. That is what I think about the overdrive settings of the Rabid Rodent. Gives some good, clean heat, without all the mid range in normal mode. I have not stacked it with the Bad Monkey yet. I will have to try that.

DVM, or Childbride, if you disagree with me or think I am mis-stating, please let me know, but I don't think so. :AOK:

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

The BD-2 is my main overdrive, and has been for months now. I rarely have the gain over noon, unless I want some fuzz & fizz. I lik ethe fact that my Tele still sounds like a Tele, and that my dirty sound is just a dirty version of my clean sound.

The Screamin' Blues is pretty similar. I have on of those as well. Think I'll give that one a whirl next time I plug in...

 

[just strum]

I've been messing/adjusting the factory setting of the Blues Drive on my RP350. Running it through the laptop I am able to quickly tweak it and am finding some real sweet tones.

 

[guitartango]

That Screamin Blues pedal is one I have gassed over for probably a year and half...never really made up my mind between that and the bad monkey...so to date still have not bought either. Should probably buy both of them after I pick up my VoX ad30 because until then I am ampless.

So guys, do you think it's worth buying the digitech sb or go for the tone driver? I love the sound from my badmonkey, good cheap pedal

Mike

 

[Robert]

It all depends on your ears... you should really try both and decide for yourself. It is so subjective. For the record, I played the Blues Driver predominantly during my last gig, and it worked tremendously well.

 

[ZMAN]

I have both the BD-2. I used the BD-2 for years as my main pedal. I never turned on my rig without it. I used it a lower levels and it sounded great. Then I bought my Fulltone Fulldrive and OCD and I put the BD back in the box and I haven't used it since. I never modded it but it sounded good to me stock until I got the Fulltones.

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

I have both the BD-2. I used the BD-2 for years as my main pedal. I never turned on my rig without it. I used it a lower levels and it sounded great. Then I bought my Fulltone Fulldrive and OCD and I put the BD back in the box and I haven't used it since. I never modded it but it sounded good to me stock until I got the Fulltones.

Yeah that really seems to be the next step inpedals for me as well ("boo-tek", I mean). BUt to be honest: I'm in no hurry to spend the time or money yet. I think the BD-2 is that good.


For anyone considering the Screamin' Blues:

It might not be a bad (lower priced) alternative to the Blues Driver for you. The Bass & Treble knobs make the EQ more tweakable, but that's where I hit a wall. You see, it took me 2 seconds to dial in the BD-2 where I wanted it. It took just a a few minutes more to get cookin' with the Digitech pedal, but I have to admit it threw me a bit.

Please note with either pedal:
Be open minded. It isn't gonna smooth things out like a Tube Screamer type overdrive. You're gonna keep more low end, and that low end is gonna distort in a really "loose" way. Higher Gain setting on the BD-2 are fuzz-like, but adjusting the Tone control can yield a usuable tone for some gonzo 60's-style leads. If you play rhythm beyond "chugga-chugga" barre chords, the Blues Driver will be your best friend.

 

[guitartango]

Shame this doesnt include the Digitech SB, but this is a good site for comparing pedals
http://www.oldtonezone.com/distortionoverdrive-pedal-shootout/

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Shame this doesnt include the Digitech SB, but this is a good site for comparing pedals
http://www.oldtonezone.com/distortionoverdrive-pedal-shootout/

My BD-2 has never sounded like that "Full Gain" clip. Ever.

 

[just strum]

Shame this doesnt include the Digitech SB, but this is a good site for comparing pedals
http://www.oldtonezone.com/distortionoverdrive-pedal-shootout/

guitartango, nice site, thanks.

My BD-2 has never sounded like that "Full Gain" clip. Ever.

Huck, personally I didn't think it sounded that good, but I am partial to clean and partial boost.

 

[just strum]

I have a modded one and I like it a lot. I can get very nice bluesy tones from it.

I agree it sounds best with the gain lower, but modded it's definitely smoother when the gain is higher.

Robert, did you buy yours with the mod already done or did you do it? I am really thinking that this might be my first "real" pedal and was wondering if I would be happy with the stock version. I saw a test on youtube of the stock ver 2, 3, and 4 and to be honest I couldn't tell the difference and then I listened to a modified one and again at clean and partial gain, I didn't really hear that much of a difference. Since I prefer clean to partial gain, I don't really know if the mod would be necessary.

DVM, what do you have that would be comparable to the BD-2?

 

[Robert]

I have not played a stock one. I bought mine already modded by a guy called Steve Dudley. It's the same mods as Keeley plus one more mod I think. People say it is much less harsh on higher gain settings, and more smooth. I am very happy with it. It sounds really, really nice for bluesy tones. Even dirty country twang.

 

[just strum]

I have not played a stock one. I bought mine already modded by a guy called Steve Dudley. It's the same mods as Keeley plus one more mod I think. People say it is much less harsh on higher gain settings, and more smooth. I am very happy with it. It sounds really, really nice for bluesy tones. Even dirty country twang.

Using the RP350 I find myself drawn to sounds/tones close to the BD-2, so I think that is definitely the best "first pedal". It seems to have the stamp of approval from a number of people here.

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Huck, personally I didn't think it sounded that good, but I am partial to clean and partial boost.

It sounded terrible. Mine has never sounded like that on the Full Gain setting. It's fuzzy, yes, but that clip sounded damaged. :rotflmao:

 

[just strum]

It sounded terrible. Mine has never sounded like that on the Full Gain setting. It's fuzzy, yes, but that clip sounded damaged. :rotflmao:

Good, I'm glad to hear that, it adds to the fact I am heading down the right path with this purchase.

 

[tunghaichuan]

It sounded terrible. Mine has never sounded like that on the Full Gain setting. It's fuzzy, yes, but that clip sounded damaged. :rotflmao:

I have to agree. That clip didn't sound anything like my BD-2 with the gain control full up. Not nearly enough gain.

tung

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

You will...instead of getting a cut in lows...have your lows distorted by the pedal. But man, that clip...

 

[Robert]

Here is an interesting review together with links to 3 modders:
http://lespaulplayerdoctor.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/bd2-the-blues-driver-h20-mod/

I still love the BD-2 and I won't ever part with mine. It's killer for bluesy stuff or as a cleanish boost with some oomph.

 

[just strum]

I'm definitely getting one. Right now I have to pay for my health insurance for the next two months (I get reimbursed) until my normal health insurance kicks in. That hits me for $1300 a month, so purchases will be few and really low dollar items (no $4 picks for me ).

I will buy it stock and see how I like it without the mod. Since I will be working on the Washburn this weekend, I should be able to master my welding, I mean soldering skills, to maybe take a stab at a pedal mod.

 

[R.B. Huckleberry]

I'm definitely getting one. Right now I have to pay for my health insurance for the next two months (I get reimbursed) until my normal health insurance kicks in. That hits me for $1300 a month, so purchases will be few and really low dollar items (no $4 picks for me ).

I will buy it stock and see how I like it without the mod. Since I will be working on the Washburn this weekend, I should be able to master my welding, I mean soldering skills, to maybe take a stab at a pedal mod.

Personally, I'm gonna save up for a Kelley modded BD-2. I like the stock version too much to mess with mine, and I'd really like one of each.