How to use a Boss Blues Driver BD-2

Hi, I'm Jeff Starr, a filmmaker who also loves guitars and gear. This video is about the Boss Blues Driver and various ways you can use this pedal

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:15 Level control tips and tricks
4:42 Gain control
8:55 into an overdriven amp
12:01 More tidbits, practice tool and final thoughts.

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Recorded in LogicX.

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[tubularbill]

I have owned provably 100’s of pedals (yeah it’s a hobby) but this is still my go to pedal beyond a basic boost. In my opinion the best overall pedal ever made. Just really does it all.

[luisvergarafernandez]

This is one of the most complete reviews I’ve seen on the BOSS BD-2. Thanks.

[TheNetcase]

I have so many overdrive and distortion pedals that i have swapped in and out of my board. I got the BD2 and put all the rest away. This is by far the best sounding drive pedal.

[SeriouslyLarry]

I use a BD-2 as a base rhythm overdrive with the gain between 10 & 2 o'clock depending on the song. For solos I run a Tube Screamer into it with the level all the way up & gain all the way down. They work great together this way for me. LP humbuckers BTW.

[dowaliby]

Excellent informative video and great playing, thank you! I love my Blues Driver. An incredible versatile pedal. In regard to the the conventional view that a Tube Screamer is better for guitars with humbuckers and the Blues Driver better for single coils, I have found the opposite to be true. My Strat sounded so thin and lackluster when played clean, but once I got an Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (level dimed and gain on zero), it fattened up the tone immeasurably and provided a volume boost as well. I felt like I achieved tonal Nirvana. For anyone who might be interested, a good example of the tone I was able to achieve with the Strat through the TS is my guitar instrumental cover of "Since I Fell for You, " (Fender Player Plus Strat and Fender Super Champ X2 with Ragin' Cajun Speaker), which is posted on my channel.

[ibrewalot]

Thanx for all the info...I've had one of these for years and have recently fallen out of love with it. This video made me realize perhaps I wasn't using it correctly. I appreciate the exploration of all the different ways to use it again!

[Bourgeault]

Thanks for a very educational and useful video. I have a gazillion pedals and have just put this one back in use after ignoring it for many years…had forgotten how good this unit is.

[myideas]

Best review I have seen for any pedal bar none. Thanks

[paulwatson]

Well this video makes the point perfectly. Not only for the BD2 but other pedals as well, it’s important to learn every pedal’s capabilities as a lot of guitarist (me included) at times just find a setting and stick with it. The BD2 is not a one tick pony it’s important to learn the full palette of its capabilities otherwise we are doing ourselves a disservice. Ask yourselves this have you ever bought a pedal sold it then gone and bought it again? Stupid I know but it’s something I’ve done and I don’t think I’m the only one.

[agtrst]

I have been using the Boss Overdrive SD-1 a lot. Just got the BD-2. Enjoying the journey of finding out the different settings you can use with this and how different it is from the SD-1. Your video helps a lot. I also find that the settings for the pedals affects different guitars in somewhat different ways. I alternate between a Strat, Tele, and an Ibanez with HBs. Thanks for the info you shared.

[BorisBidjanSaberi]

Going back home and trying all this little settings

[stagecoachal]

Best pedal overview of any kind I have ever come across - thanks 🙂

[snorky]

Been thru 4 of these pedals. Love them. Learned a lot here I did not know before especially about level. I usually have my pedal set for hard distortion, but have my guitar volume down. Makes for a crisp sound and roll it up for solos. Depending on guitar of course. thanks for the info, gave me some ideas. I have a gig today too!

[joepre-lg]

love the sound with Gain in maximum wow

[vanessajazp]

I have a Big Muff Sheepshead for Fuzz and this pedal for everything else. Tried a lot of distortion pedals over the years, but to my ears nothing beats this one.

[casobeattts]

Great video! I just picked up an SD1 and I’m having a hard time trying to figure out how to use the BD2. You gave a bunch of tips that can help me choose the tone direction I’d like to go

[marcelodangelo]

The BD2 is amazing with single Coil. (Nobody asked me, but… ) I use it as a soft drive, first drive in the line, and it helps to get the other drives more dirty. It is almost a crunch when the gain knob about 8 or 9 o’clock.

[MartynCampbell-ibgr]

Great vid just bought one. I prefer the gain at two o clock level midday tone 11 o clock into a VOX AC30 with blues with a crunch sound I find it’s like adding another amp to the sound. Great pedal Best wishes from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[ShaneStoneOfficial]

I just bought the 50th anniversary edition BD2 and SD1… I am excited to see how they sound stacked

[googaboogaloo]

I love this pedal. Ben McLoed from all them witches uses this and I really like his tone.