Boss BD2 alternatives

[Flores_68]

Hello,

I've been using the Boss BD2 for crunch, light overdrive tones and despite liking the tone I get, it really bothers me that the BD2 is not touch sensitive at all. No matter how lightly or heavily I pick, I seem to get exactly the same output coming out of the amp. I tried the Fulltone OCD with the gain turned all the way down and I came closer to my goal but I've been wondering if there's anything out there that'll get me a nice, creamy, crunchy tone. Some ideas that crossed my mind: DOD Preamp 250 or maybe the J Rockett Blue Note. Any thoughts???

 

[marcello252]

BD2 and OCD are actually very dynamic, so it sounds a bit odd, being hard clipping (a tube screamer-like topology, which is soft clipping, for example is way more compressed).
I'd say you should try a topology where FETs emulate tubes, for example the Wampler Plexi Drive, Catalinbread Formula 55 or Dirty little secret, a Menatone Foxy Brown, a Zvex box of rock, the options are multiple

 

[Securb]

I think you are looking for dynamics not touch sensitivity, two totally different things. A DOD Preamp 250 is not really that dynamic. It is the same circuit as the MXR Dist+, which is a blunt force distortion box, very much a one-trick pony. If you want dynamic, I would look at a Klon-clone there are a lot of them out there that are great and inexpensive. Take a look at the Moskey Golden Horse; you can get it for $14 shipped, I am not sure why every guitarist doesn't have one in their stable. Ironiclly the 250 or MXR D+ would be awesome for touch sensitivity, dynamics are there but not their strong suit.

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[GuitarStv]

Weird. The BD-2 should be pretty easy to set up for dynamic playing - it's not a terribly compressed circuit. Rolling the volume knob on your guitar back or picking lighter should really clean up the sound as long as you've got the gain below 2/3rds of the way up.

 

[Artie]

Take a look at the Moskey Golden Horse; you can get it for $14 shipped . . .

That's a heckuva price even if you just bought it for the case and parts alone.

 

[Chistopher]

I would say from your description the pedals aren't the problem. What''s the rest of your rig like?

 

[Ascension]

Have a BD 2 as well as several other overdrives. Like the Blues Driver, but there are 2 I will suggest trying for what you are looking for. First is the Nobels ODR 1 or my personal Preference on these circuits the Wampler Belle. I own both a Bell and the latest full size ODR 1 both are very nice. However, the Bell offers much more versatility with the added bass control and also the clipping switch. These are the most dynamic and transparent overdrives I have ever worked with.
The other is a Wampler Tuminus which is a Klon Clone. With the right amp these can be very nice and very dynamic.

 

[Chistopher]

I wonder if the OP will ever return