Keeley Boss Blues Driver BD-2 questions/ do I need the upgrade?

[vindrewski]

I know this is a well covered subject here, but the problem is I can't find anything very specific about this mod.

Okay, I get that it's "phat," but is the other position on the toggle the stock setting? Are there any other changes?

Keeley's website, other than saying how great it is, doesn't really go into much detail about it. Same goes for all the posts I read here.

Picked up a stock BD-2 recently and I love it. Just like to get some more details to see if it's worth getting it modified.

Thanks.

[Stratm69]

Taken from Keeley:

"THE" BOSS BD-2 Effect Pedal Modifications!

Transparent Guitar Tones!! If you are new to Robert Keeley Electronics Sound, try this pedal.

The BD-2 Phat Mod is Transparent Overdrive with Full Range sound.

For tone-purists, this is it! It's not simply a distortion pedal but rather a tone tool that adds to your guitar tone, supplying really nice lows, crystal clear high frequency, great picking response and detail. For those wanting to set their amp on fire but not change the tone of their system, this is the pedal.

The BD-2 is not the same as a TS9 pedal. It has a more FULL-RANGE sound and is much more TRANSPARENT. When cranked it offers a grittier/more-edgy tone.

***After our mods it’s a remarkable tube-amp enhancer/simulator!***

The BD-2 is very DYNAMIC and works wonders with the volume control on your guitar. You can control all the drive you want by setting the BD-2 Gain high and using your volume control to instantly dial in the rest!

This is not a "fuzz" pedal, (although a stock one might appear to be at times!) but has the best characteristics of a fuzz pedal. Smoother and more realistic sounding on top of all that!

Perfect for Hendrix to Country! How can Robert say that?!?! This pedal has a HUGE RANGE OF TONE!!! Customers tell me on a daily basis, it's the sound they've been looking for for years; it sounds like their rig without the "distortion-pedal-carpet" over their amplifier.

This is the pedal if you are looking for the cranked Fender Super amplifier sound.

Plus, we add our "Phat switch" to allow even more of your natural low end through for those times when you need a little more beef!

One of the best parts is that it has tremendous volume output. It can be used as a CLEAN BOOST with no problem and drive your amp into natural sounding overdrive.

[Stratm69]

Originally Posted by Stratm69

Taken from Keeley:

"THE" BOSS BD-2 Effect Pedal Modifications!

Transparent Guitar Tones!! If you are new to Robert Keeley Electronics Sound, try this pedal.

The BD-2 Phat Mod is Transparent Overdrive with Full Range sound.

For tone-purists, this is it! It's not simply a distortion pedal but rather a tone tool that adds to your guitar tone, supplying really nice lows, crystal clear high frequency, great picking response and detail. For those wanting to set their amp on fire but not change the tone of their system, this is the pedal.

The BD-2 is not the same as a TS9 pedal. It has a more FULL-RANGE sound and is much more TRANSPARENT. When cranked it offers a grittier/more-edgy tone.

***After our mods it’s a remarkable tube-amp enhancer/simulator!***

The BD-2 is very DYNAMIC and works wonders with the volume control on your guitar. You can control all the drive you want by setting the BD-2 Gain high and using your volume control to instantly dial in the rest!

This is not a "fuzz" pedal, (although a stock one might appear to be at times!) but has the best characteristics of a fuzz pedal. Smoother and more realistic sounding on top of all that!

Perfect for Hendrix to Country! How can Robert say that?!?! This pedal has a HUGE RANGE OF TONE!!! Customers tell me on a daily basis, it's the sound they've been looking for for years; it sounds like their rig without the "distortion-pedal-carpet" over their amplifier.

This is the pedal if you are looking for the cranked Fender Super amplifier sound.

Plus, we add our "Phat switch" to allow even more of your natural low end through for those times when you need a little more beef!

One of the best parts is that it has tremendous volume output. It can be used as a CLEAN BOOST with no problem and drive your amp into natural sounding overdrive.

I don't think you can get more detail than that. It sounds like the mod makes it more natural and transparent sounding by letting your guitar and amp shine through more. It won't be a tone suck! Looks like you get more range and versatility too.

[bbrunskill]

Well, I had one. It was far clearer than a stock BD-2. Less fizzy on the top end, more low end, very wide range of volume and tone.

Great pedal. Mine was stolen back in 2008, and I ended up getting a Barber LTD SR, but the Keeley BD-2 was wonderful.

[Coldacre]

Originally Posted by Stratm69

I don't think you can get more detail than that.

it actually says very little about the mod. from what I can gather, the mod will:


* The BD-2 Phat Mod is Transparent Overdrive with Full Range sound.

* ***After our mods it’s a remarkable tube-amp enhancer/simulator!***

* allow even more of your natural low end through


all of the other things seems to be about a stock BD-2 in general.... I dunno...... seems like hyperbole.......

"Transparent Overdrive with full range sound": it's already a transparent overdrive.... what does 'full range sound' mean?

not knocking the mod, I've never tried/heard one. it just doesn't tell me much about the befores and afters on the website.

Originally Posted by bbrunskill

Well, I had one. It was far clearer than a stock BD-2. Less fizzy on the top end, more low end, very wide range of volume and tone.

thankyou! that tells me alot more about the difference between stock and modded.

[greeny23]

there realistically isn't too much done to it. the phat mod toggles between a single stock and a new capacitor.
if you are happy with the stock sound, keep it. if you aren't, sell it or get it modded.

[wck]

Yeah, if you like the way it sounds then don't mod it. I didn't like the keeley mod because it got rid of the treble content and added bass which obviously made it more fat but I prefer to retain as much high end without the fizz.

[redbeardrob]

why do you think you need the mod?

i'd stay away from it if i were you, especially if you're not even sure what the mod does. it's not like it's capable of a true bypass mod, which IMO is the only reason i'd mod it. that's just me. i keep most of my stuff stock. thats the way most of my heroes of old did it anyway... the stock blues driver is a beautiful thing. i still use mine from time to time.

[kelvinator60]

Monte Allums H2O+ is a GREAT mod. Did it to mine and it has been glued down ever since. Much better than stock. I owned the phat ones and didn't get much out of them.

[champion ruby]

I like the stock Blues Driver also, the phat mod isn't a huge enhancement.

[dmw319]

Originally Posted by wck

Yeah, if you like the way it sounds then don't mod it.

I agree but I could argue for the other side. I was happy with my stock BD2 but loved the keeley mod on mine. I'd say if you like the stock bd2, the keeley mod will just make you love it more!

[vindrewski]

Originally Posted by Coldacre

it actually says very little about the mod. from what I can gather, the mod will:


* The BD-2 Phat Mod is Transparent Overdrive with Full Range sound.

* ***After our mods it’s a remarkable tube-amp enhancer/simulator!***

* allow even more of your natural low end through


all of the other things seems to be about a stock BD-2 in general.... I dunno...... seems like hyperbole.......

"Transparent Overdrive with full range sound": it's already a transparent overdrive.... what does 'full range sound' mean?

not knocking the mod, I've never tried/heard one. it just doesn't tell me much about the befores and afters on the website.

That's what I though. Kinda hyperbolic. At least with, say, the Rat2 mod, he tells you exactly what you're gonna get.

And as far as "Transparent Overdrive with full range sound," I could desrcibe the stock BD-2 like that.

Thanks for the responses, guys.

[jboyjams]

Originally Posted by vindrewski

I know this is a well covered subject here, but the problem is I can't find anything very specific about this mod.

Okay, I get that it's "phat," but is the other position on the toggle the stock setting? Are there any other changes?

Keeley's website, other than saying how great it is, doesn't really go into much detail about it. Same goes for all the posts I read here.

Picked up a stock BD-2 recently and I love it. Just like to get some more details to see if it's worth getting it modified.

Thanks.

I had a stock BD-2 and then had Keeley do the mod to it.
(after receiving mine back from Keeley, I was curious and borrowed a stock one to A/B)

I'd say that if you like it, then don't get it modified.

I never use the phat switch and it has plenty of low end and volume as stock.

I like the blue light and the mod didn't hurt, but the stock is a little raunchier and the mod does change the tone a bit - maybe a little more refined but seems to possibly have more gain, not completely sure about the gain but the mod may make it a tad warmer or something.

It's not a huge difference between the two.

[FenderBigot]

Originally Posted by redbeardrob

why do you think you need the mod?

I've gone through this in my head a few times... my BD2 is still stock. The way I dial it in and use it, I'm not sure I "need" the mod. I've taken it off my board and almost boxed it up twice, but I've got an Amp11 and an OCD already there covering my gain needs. My BD2 is set as more of a clean boost with just a touch of hair, when I roll back the volume knob it sounds nice and clean.

These are everywhere new and used, I still may send mine in for the phat mod and if I don't like it then I'll just buy another stock one.

[Agitator]

Originally Posted by vindrewski

Picked up a stock BD-2 recently and I love it.

Sounds like you don't need the mod, then!