Boss OS-2 Overdrive Distortion Pedal Review and Comparison

Hear the Boss OS-2 compared to a Boss SD-1, Keeley Ibanez 808 Tubescreamer, Boss DS-1, Boss DS-2, Boss MD-2 and ProCo RAT. Is the Boss OS-2 the most versatile Boss Overdrive Distortion pedal? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

I did these comparisons to help better understand the sounds of the Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion. I thought other players might find it useful when trying to decide whether or not to buy this pedal.

Pedals used in this video:

- Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion

- Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive

- Ibanez Tubescreamer TS808

- Boss DS-1 Distortion

- Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

- Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion

- ProCo RAT

Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:39 - SD-1 / TS808 comparison
02:12 - MD-2 Mega Distortion comparison
03:30 - DS-1 Distortion comparison
04:55 - DS-2 Turbo Distortion comparison
05:51 - ProCo RAT comparison
07:23 - OS-2 Pros and Cons

[MichaelBanfieldGuitar]

Listening back to the recording on the distortion sounds, I think I set my amp a little too clean which left them sounding a bit fizzy in the high end. Especially with the MD-2 comparison. I found the OS-2 can be very bright with a lot of presence, adding a bit of overdrive to your amp really helps to round off that high end.

[ChorusHunter]

Probably I'm coming in late to this party but just wanna say you did an incredible thoughtful job with your review. I was thinking "who knows how the OS2 compares to this DS1 or the Rat", and you covered all those grounds before I even realised. 
It really makes your channel standing out compared to other gear-focused channels.

[felipecassel]

You deserve more views, man! Amazing job. Complete and straightforward.

[andybrown]

Wow, a RELAVANT, informative, proper gear review. Great job man and please keep putting decent content out like this!!

[scooter]

Yes, I found your review of the Boss OS-2! Your reviews are meaningful b/c it's evident you take time to understand the pedals first and play excellent tunes during your demos. I had a Boss OS-2 before & was thinking of getting one again

[joshphillips]

Seriously dont get why you don't have more views, these vid are so helpful and arent too long like others

[jaibruce]

Very informative! You gave justice to this underrated pedal. I've been using this for 21 years now and yes, the main strength of this pedal is versatility. You can emulate any amps/pedals sound out of this pedal. Great content man! Rock on....

[bonwana]

I actually purchased the Boss OS-2 online about an hour before i saw this video. Looks like I made the right decision. Excellent review/comparison.👍

[binface]

i've been thinking about getting hold of one of these after seeing demos claiming they're shite - I like a challenge. You've coaxed some wonderful sounds from it which makes me think it won't be much of a challenge after all. Nice to see you using an MD-2. I tend to set mine with the boost on full and the gain at around 9 o'clock, with the the bass control almost at 0. I find this gives it a more defined and articulate tone.

[saucybaka]

Best demo I've seen for a pedal in a long time

[mendBOT]

This was the pedal that started my Boss Pedal collection, it's really really underrated, you basically have an SD-1 and DS-1 in the same pedal (if you fully turn the color knob either way) or you can have this parallel mixture of them that is pretty nice. Since I'm not a particular fan of the SD-1 (I prefer the OD-3 or the Blues Driver) I might mod it in the future to change the color of the overdrive portion a bit but I definitely like this one.

[sloppyjoe]

the best demo of this pedal on Youtube!

[heztorm]

Amazing review. Just bought a used OS-2, just for the Overdrive mode now. I can see It works fine
This vídeo was really usefull for me. So well done. Thanks and cheers!

[binface]

i've been thinking about getting hold of one of these after seeing demos claiming they're shite - I like a challenge. You've coaxed some wonderful sounds from it which makes me think it won't be much of a challenge after all.

[jeanenviedapprendre]

I bought this for an overdrive because the sd1 just wasn't curting it in my rig. The sound I use is quite different than the sd1. I have other distortions, but this pedal has an impressive range of sounds! Plus I got mine used, so it was 1, 000% worth it!

[CS]

thanks for posting this video!
this pedal was the very first pedal I ever bought a long time ago and recently I was thinking of selling it, but after watching your video it helped me to get the sounds I wanted out of this pedal and I've even added it back to my main board!

[KRDZoom]

The OS-2 was in an auction lot of Boss pedals I bought. I thought it would be a "sell for $20" pedal. Turns out it's priceless!!! This video proves it!

[TVguy]

Solid review and great explanation of how to best use this pedal.

[geordiemcbain]

Appreciate the “ put it on edge of breakup” I haven’t found “the” sound I need on my practice amp at home.
Driving the tubes to natural gain way too loud… this helped me love this pedal. With some good pickups… Duncan 59s this pedal makes the amp sound like it’s naturally at 6 or 7 when it’s really at 3.5 and the gain is at about the same.
Power soak down to 5 watts. This pedal makes my amp sound great at 10:30 at night. Good video.
Nice work with the color knob too.

[zammie]

Thanks for a great demo! Never knew the Od-2 can cover so much ground. Great bending trick at 6.33 too!