Keely modded BD2 vs TS9 Stock?

[and44]

Morning!

My local Store has a Keely Modded BD2...recently Ive heard good things about this so wanted your opinion on it..

As a long time user of a (stock) TS9 that I really like. how close is the BD2 in terms of tone.. is it pretty much the same thing? or different kettle of fish entirely.

As I don't really have too much space on my board i'd like to replace for a different sound rather than replace with the same thing... or alternatively run them both together if I can..

[Daniel-San]

The Keeley BD-2 has a different sound then a typical TS type pedal. More transparant, less of a mid-hump. In my opnion a very nice pedal for lots of musical styles. Does a good boost after fuzz/distortion too.

By the way...I see you have the DG sig. strat. Only because you like the guitar or because you play Pink Floyd music too? Because if you play PF the BD-2 does a very good job in a rig for that music ;-)

[and44]

The Keeley BD-2 has a different sound then a typical TS type pedal. More transparant, less of a mid-hump. In my opnion a very nice pedal for lots of musical styles. Does a good boost after fuzz/distortion too.

By the way...I see you have the DG sig. strat. Only because you like the guitar or because you play Pink Floyd music too? Because if you play PF the BD-2 does a very good job in a rig for that music ;-)

Well Im a hugh fan of DG, so when looking for a new CS Strat.. and having tried a handfull this was the one that shined brightly for me, other than its my "heros's" guitar setup but because its also a very decent fender CS guitar.

We play Floyd style music (original material though) but im no gilmour : ) I often do pretend though if thats allowed lol!

[David Vee]

The Keeley BD-2 has a different sound then a typical TS type pedal. More transparant, less of a mid-hump. In my opnion a very nice pedal for lots of musical styles. Does a good boost after fuzz/distortion too.

:agree


I've owned a Keeley modded BD2 for about 2 years... very versatile and as mentioned above, with a reduced TS mid-hump. It likes single coils and humbuckers... also very touch sensitive/responsive. It stacks nicely... and should compliment your TS9. Go for it! :aok

[Less=more]

I would got for it. However, I found the Keeley BD-2 as a great always on pedal with mild gain for a boost. Ended up not being able to use it for more than that because I find it sounds amazing with Lead guitar but not so amazing with rhythm. To me the way it breaks up sounds good... but just not what I was after. I can't play lead... so I sold it.

its one of those pedals that just makes things sound special. I am a ts guy and I recommend it.

[cwcashiniv]

I had a Keeley BD-2 on my rig, and I sold it for a Sparkle Drive, thinking I wanted a TS808 styled circuit, and now I regret every second of it! The Keeley BD-2 has a scooped midrange, like what the others mentioned above, but what is great is:
1. The enormous amount of headroom (the dB jump is a lot higher than stock).
2. The note articulation (very responsive and dynamic to string attack).
3. The gain available (goes from mild all the way to good mid-gain in tone).

If it's still there, you're a fool not to snag it! I myself do play rhythm, and found it to be a main drive when on my board. Good luck!

[zestystrat]

I have an AM BD and found it to be a littly fuzzy ala Keef.

[Liquid_Mojo]

The Keeley BD2 with the phat switch is great. Has nice transparency to the sound without the mid hump. Good for that back alley blues sound.

I wouldn't say it replaced my TS9, but it's a nice flavor.

[Cainer]

I own both and don't find them to be similar in the least.

[got_twang?]

I have both a Keeley Sparkle Drive and a Keeley BD2. I love them both, but they're very different from each other.

If I could only have one of them, it would be the BD2 though. It's just so versatile, and it cleans up nicely when you roll off your guitar volume.

[sanhozay]

I really like the Keeley mod BD-2, very transparent and no mid loss, big & thick bottom end. So diametrically different than the tube screamer that both on a board make more sense than choosing between the two.

[Bluedano1]

I really like the Keeley mod BD-2, very transparent and no mid loss, big & thick bottom end. So diametrically different than the tube screamer that both on a board make more sense than choosing between the two.

I'm with you!

After many years of trying to do it all with one OD pedal (which in my case was either a BD-2/something similar, OR a Tube Screamer type ) I realized that having both really covers a lot of ground- you have the option of using either of them seperately (which so far I prefer) or stacking them for some serious sustain if you spend some time with them.

[sleejay80]

yeah, those two, cant be more different, in terms of overdrive.
that's why i have both on my board :)

[Liquid_Mojo]

The BD-2 is a different animal then the TS9. I've used both on my board in the past. If you dime the gain, it can get in fuzz territory. To the OP, it wouldn't hurt to have both. One does not make the other redundant.