Anyone Tried Boss BD-2 Blues Driver Mods? Share Your Thoughts!

Instruments Guitar and Bass
1

I’ve been playing around with my Boss BD-2 Blues Driver pedal lately and I’m curious if anyone here has done any mods to enhance its sound. I’ve read about various modifications including the Keeley Mod which seems to be quite popular.

Why Mod Your BD-2?

The BD-2 is known for its smooth overdrive but I believe it can be pushed further in terms of tonal richness and clarity. Here are some potential benefits I’m hoping to achieve through modding:

  • Improved Clarity: Enhancing the definition of notes can really make solos pop.
  • Extended Range: Some mods are said to expand the tonal range of the pedal, allowing for more versatility in sound.
  • Sustain and Compression: Looking to achieve a more sustained sound without losing dynamic response.

What Mods Have You Tried?

I’m interested in hearing about your experiences.

  • Have you tried the Keeley Mod? What did you think?
  • Any other mods that you found beneficial?
  • What’s the best way to approach modding if I’m a beginner?

Tips for Enhancing my Pedal

If you have any tips on tools, techniques, or resources like guides or videos, please share! I’d love to learn more about how to safely make these changes without damaging my pedal.

Also, if you have before/after sound clips, I’d love to hear how the mods changed the tone of your BD-2!

Looking forward to your insights!

2

I’ve experimented with the BD-2 mods and found that replacing the stock diodes with silicon ones really enhances the clarity and sustain of the pedal. Worth a try!

3

That’s a solid tip, lucas83! I’ve found increasing the gain knob slightly makes a big difference too. It gives a warmer bluesy tone that I really love.

4

One modification I’m considering is changing the op-amps. I’ve heard that using OPA2134 can yield great results. Anyone tried this?

5

Yes, anelson! I’ve swapped the op-amps before. It definitely adds a bit more headroom and clarity. Just make sure to install them correctly to avoid any damage.

6

I opted for the true bypass mod and it made a noticeable difference in my rig. No more tone loss when the pedal is off!

7

I love how each mod can completely change the character of the pedal. I keep switching settings and tweaking it!

8

Donnamartinez, have you thought about changing the capacitors to film types? It might smooth out those high frequencies even more.

9

I completely agree with you, phillip! True bypass is a game changer, especially with long pedal chains.

10

It’s interesting how our ears can perceive things differently. I thought about doing the same swaps but I’m not sure if I’d like the change. Have any of you reverted back to stock?

3 Likes
11

Funny you mention that, jlogan! I went back to stock once just to hear the difference, and honestly, I missed the mods right away. It was a real eye-opener!

12

Just be careful with the mods! I tried one and ended up with a pedal that made an awful screeching sound instead of the bluesy tone I wanted.

13

Haha, xfoster! If you think that’s bad, I once modded a pedal and it ended up sounding like a cat in a blender. Lesson learned: research before you mod!

3 Likes
14

Exactly! It’s best to start with one mod at a time so you can really hear what each change does.

15

Going for a full re-casing of the pedal is another interesting project. It not only looks great but can affect how the components resonate. Has anyone done it?

2 Likes
16

I haven’t re-cased mine, jessica37, but I’ve thought about it. It seems like a fun way to personalize the pedal. Any tips on materials?

17

I’ve had success using lightweight aluminum for re-casing. It’s durable and gives the pedal a unique vibe. You can find some great tutorials online too!

1 Like
18

I’ve tried a few mods on my Boss BD-2, especially the capacitor swap. It really brightened up the tone and added clarity. Highly recommend it!

4 Likes
19

That’s interesting! I was considering a diode mod. How did the clarity change, and did it affect the gain structure?

6 Likes
20

The diode mod actually opens up the gain without making it too harsh. It’s a great way to get more versatile sounds. Definitely worth it!

1 Like