Best version of the BD-2
- Shadoweclipse13
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I can't comment to a comparison of models, but I had a Keeley-modded BD-2 (with a "fat" switch) and it absolutely killed.
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
- tequila_in_teacups
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I found this a useful comparison vid:
https://youtu.be/ox3L6_UBEP8
https://youtu.be/ox3L6_UBEP8
- ryanthellama
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
Have you tried any Blues Driver with your JC-40 before? I tried a regular BD-2 with both my tube amp and my JC-40 and I found that it sounded a little fizzy on my JC in a way I wasn’t liking. Something about the breakup felt more artificial coming through a solid state than through my tube amp. Might be worth trying one from Amazon or somewhere you can easily send back in case it doesn’t react the way you want. Of the Boss overdrives I tried (BD-2, SD-1, OS-2, OD-3), the OD-3 sounded most natural through the JC to my ear, for what it’s worth.Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 7:24 amCurrent amps are Matchless Spitfire and JC-40. Only gain I’m actively using is a Benson Germanium Fuzz. I do plan to incorporate, my rat back in at some point.
- JSett
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
That's likely due to the fact that the BD-2 is designed to be pretty transparent so you'll still hear the tone of your amp...JC's are artificial and sterile sounding by design. A BD-2 is just giving you that, plus distortion. The OD-3 is colouring your amp to sound more like a tube ampryanthellama wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:11 pmHave you tried any Blues Driver with your JC-40 before? I tried a regular BD-2 with both my tube amp and my JC-40 and I found that it sounded a little fizzy on my JC in a way I wasn’t liking. Something about the breakup felt more artificial coming through a solid state than through my tube amp. Might be worth trying one from Amazon or somewhere you can easily send back in case it doesn’t react the way you want. Of the Boss overdrives I tried (BD-2, SD-1, OS-2, OD-3), the OD-3 sounded most natural through the JC to my ear, for what it’s worth.Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 7:24 amCurrent amps are Matchless Spitfire and JC-40. Only gain I’m actively using is a Benson Germanium Fuzz. I do plan to incorporate, my rat back in at some point.
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- Unicorn Warrior
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
Thanks for that suggestion. I actually used to own an OD-3 and a JC-120 at one point. It was an okay sound, but it seemed a bit too tube screamery for lack of a better way of describing. I did use it a lot though and wouldn’t be opposed to grabbing another.ryanthellama wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 10:11 pmHave you tried any Blues Driver with your JC-40 before? I tried a regular BD-2 with both my tube amp and my JC-40 and I found that it sounded a little fizzy on my JC in a way I wasn’t liking. Something about the breakup felt more artificial coming through a solid state than through my tube amp. Might be worth trying one from Amazon or somewhere you can easily send back in case it doesn’t react the way you want. Of the Boss overdrives I tried (BD-2, SD-1, OS-2, OD-3), the OD-3 sounded most natural through the JC to my ear, for what it’s worth.Unicorn Warrior wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 7:24 amCurrent amps are Matchless Spitfire and JC-40. Only gain I’m actively using is a Benson Germanium Fuzz. I do plan to incorporate, my rat back in at some point.
- tequila_in_teacups
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I use my Cinders with my JC-22. I like the sound – suits the sort of thing I’m playing lately.
- Embenny
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
That's a phenomenal comparison.tequila_in_teacups wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 2:06 amI found this a useful comparison vid:
https://youtu.be/ox3L6_UBEP8
The Cinders blew me away. It basically does everything the other BD-2s can do, at roughly 1/3rd the price of a standard BD-2 and 1/4 the price of the Waza. The only thing the demo didn't compare was the bypass mode. The Cinders appears to be true bypass while the BD-2 is buffered, right? That honestly puts the Cinders a cut above in my books. A decent buffer can be desirable, of course, for people with big pedalboards or long cable runs. I just don't need that.
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- tequila_in_teacups
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
Well, after complaining that cheap secondhand BD-2s are basically nonexistent here, I found a totally mint unused one for $80 (~£40) not far from where I live. Grabbed it for no other reason than it was cheap.
- JSett
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
Wow, perfect serendipity!tequila_in_teacups wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:54 pmWell, after complaining that cheap secondhand BD-2s are basically nonexistent here, I found a totally mint unused one for $80 (~£40) not far from where I live. Grabbed it for no other reason than it was cheap.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- OffYourFace
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I find that my BD-2 sounds excellent with my Roland Cube 60 in JC mode. It's a little harsh with my '76 Deluxe Reverb's vibrato channel (has bright cap) and smoother with the normal channel.
It might work great with the Matchless. I think I like the BD-2 better with Vox style amps tbh. Think Adam from Swervedriver, he makes that combo sound great. The Spitfire has a Vox style power section and tweed style preamp. Give it a go and let us know. It's a great pedal, it's way more 'clear' than the OD-3. I have both and recently compared the two. I prefer the BD-2.
It might work great with the Matchless. I think I like the BD-2 better with Vox style amps tbh. Think Adam from Swervedriver, he makes that combo sound great. The Spitfire has a Vox style power section and tweed style preamp. Give it a go and let us know. It's a great pedal, it's way more 'clear' than the OD-3. I have both and recently compared the two. I prefer the BD-2.
- tequila_in_teacups
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
It really was! The seller was even kind enough to hang onto it for a few extra days till I got back from Christmas hols.johnnysomersett wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 11:24 pmWow, perfect serendipity!tequila_in_teacups wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 8:54 pmWell, after complaining that cheap secondhand BD-2s are basically nonexistent here, I found a totally mint unused one for $80 (~£40) not far from where I live. Grabbed it for no other reason than it was cheap.
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I A/B'd the BD-2 and Cinders for about an hour this afternoon and came back to it again this evening to re-test my first impressions. They're really very close. Toss a coin to decide which one sounds best. Then get out of bed on a different side and your opinion would probably change.
The BD-2 gets loud sooner, and the gain kicks in sooner too. That's just different pot taper, I think – you can replicate the sound of one on the other with enough fiddling, and at max vol and gain they're near enough identical. The BD-2 has maybe 5% more presence, which some might perceive as sounding a little brighter/spikier/harsher. Again, we're talking fine margins. The Cinders is maybe a little bit easier to 'dial in', but it could just be that I've had more time to get comfortable with it.
I can't say I prefer one over the other. The Cinders does what the BD-2 does every bit as well. The BOSS will probably stay on my board just because it's indestructible and its side jacks play a bit nicer with the rest of my pedals.
I checked the bypass mode of both. There's maybe the slightest loss of high with the BD-2, but I didn't notice anything wildly different otherwise. FWIW, I've got a small board of just five pedals.Embenny wrote: ↑Mon Dec 26, 2022 11:51 amThe only thing the demo didn't compare was the bypass mode. The Cinders appears to be true bypass while the BD-2 is buffered, right? That honestly puts the Cinders a cut above in my books. A decent buffer can be desirable, of course, for people with big pedalboards or long cable runs. I just don't need that.
- JSett
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I found having Boss pedals in my chain always kept the high-end better intact thanks to their buffer (which I am a fan of).
Regardless of all the chatter, the best version of the BD-2 is mine, and I will die on this hill...
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Regardless of all the chatter, the best version of the BD-2 is mine, and I will die on this hill...
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Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- tequila_in_teacups
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
My brain automatically inserts 'lawyer' after the word 'blues', so burying that association under a few layers of paint is certainly appealing.johnnysomersett wrote: ↑Wed Jan 04, 2023 2:54 amI found having Boss pedals in my chain always kept the high-end better intact thanks to their buffer (which I am a fan of).
Regardless of all the chatter, the best version of the BD-2 is mine, and I will die on this hill...
- JSett
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
Mine does the same. Fortunately I don't actually know the minor pentatonic scale. Or any scale for that matter.tequila_in_teacups wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:04 amMy brain automatically inserts 'lawyer' after the word 'blues', so burying that association under a few layers of paint is certainly appealing.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?
- MrShake
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Re: Best version of the BD-2
I love this place.johnnysomersett wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 1:25 amMine does the same. Fortunately I don't actually know the minor pentatonic scale. Or any scale for that matter.tequila_in_teacups wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:04 amMy brain automatically inserts 'lawyer' after the word 'blues', so burying that association under a few layers of paint is certainly appealing.
And same. As a '90s teen who happened into a BD-2 accidentally, I definitely covered up the label a few times back in the day when I was trying to grind out "serious" "alt rock".
Luckily, the closest I get to a scale is that bit in "Rumble".