Expressive Touch Sensitivity
Sweet, nuanced, and ultra-expressive, the BD-2 Blues Driver stands as an enduring icon in the annals of guitar overdrive. Its influential BOSS analog circuit design behaves like a tube amp, providing natural, touch-responsive gain that’s not possible with standard overdrive and distortion pedals. Nearly three decades on, the BD-2’s articulate voice continues to power the sounds of players in every musical genre, from blues and rock to country, jazz, and beyond.
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Features
- Classic BOSS overdrive pedal, in continuous production since 1995
- Innovative amp-like gain circuit with organic tone and rich harmonic content
- Highly responsive to picking dynamics and guitar volume changes
- Wide gain range supports a variety of applications, from a transparent clean boost to aggressive overdrive
- Tone control for shaping the high-end response
- BOSS five-year warranty
Landmark Amp-Style Circuit
From the beginning, the BD-2 was conceived by BOSS engineers to reproduce the interactive gain and compression properties of a tube amplifier. To meet this goal, they developed a unique multi-stage clipping circuit inspired by actual amps. This innovative design delivers a very organic playing experience, with drive character and harmonic content that changes with your picking attack and sound that smoothly cleans up as you roll back the volume.
Clean to Mean
Don’t be boxed in by the name—the versatile sound of the Blues Driver circuit flows with any guitar style. Lower gain settings produce a mild breakup that’s ideal for defined chord work, arpeggio playing, and adding body to lead lines. The tone gets fatter and more saturated as you crank the gain, mimicking the behavior of a vintage tube amp. The BD-2’s transparent voice also excels as a full-range boost for pushing downstream drive pedals and high-gain amps into fierce distortion while maintaining definition and clarity.
Unmatched Dynamic Expression
The BD-2 is renowned for its sensitivity and expressive range, and many players use it as an “always-on“ pedal to shape their core sound. A soft touch is rewarded with a rich harmonic bloom around the notes, while a hard attack delivers sharp-yet-smooth tones that cut through the band. With your just playing touch and volume knob adjustments, there’s a universe of drive colors ready to explore.
Guide/Articles
Behind the Board: Ben Jackson with Yungblud
Yungblud’s live and studio tones are built on BOSS—guitar tech Ben Jackson reveals how the band’s boards bring the noise night after night.Read more…
Reverberations: Alessandro “Asso” Stefana
Enter the enigmatic world of Alessandro Stefana—guitarist, composer, and sonic explorer—in this rare interview on sound, gear, and vision.Read more…
Exploring the Advanced Features of the BOSS V-Guitar System
The BOSS VG-800 V-Guitar Processor revolutionizes guitar and bass performance. Investigate its advanced features.Read more…
Behind the Board: Gavin Maxwell with Mogwai and IDLES
Guitar tech Gavin Maxwell shares pro pedalboard tips and unique insights into the signature sounds of Mogwai and IDLES.Read more…
Behind the Board: Tom Dalgety with Ghost, Pixies, Royal Blood, and The Cult
The award-winning rock producer shares his top tips and tricks for using BOSS pedals to create number-one records.Read more…
Behind the Board: Mike Crawford with Portishead, Massive Attack, and Goldfrapp
The top-tier stage tech and musician busts pedalboard myths and explains why he’s used the same BOSS effects since 1982.Read more…
Reverberations: Malina Moye
The six-string sensation discusses her beloved BOSS pedals and this year’s IWD campaign theme: Inspire Inclusion.Read more…
The BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver: A Touchstone of Tone
More than merely a drive pedal for blues players, the BD-2 Blues Driver is a modern classic with genre-spanning appeal.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining a Synth Pedal with Other Effects
A synth pedal can transform a guitar signal into another instrument entirely. Explore the versatility of this powerful tool.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining Vibrato with Other Effects
Vibrato works for everything from gentle chorus to extraterrestrial sounds. Use it to create wild tones and tasteful classics.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining Tremolo with Other Effects
Tremolo can be the solution to unlocking new exciting tones and effects through a handful of simple pedal combinations.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining EQ with Other Effects
As simple as an EQ pedal may initially appear, it’s a must-have for any pedalboard, large or small. Learn to use this essential effect.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining Chorus with Other Effects
Chorus adds an extra dimension when paired with other pedals. Here are some dynamic suggestions for combining it with different effects.Read more…
Getting the Most Out of Your Overdrive Pedal
Learn to maximize your overdrive pedal for guitar or bass. Plus, get essential tips to utilize the effect for multiple genres and sounds.Read more…
Pedal Partners: Combining Overdrive with Other Effects
Find out what pedals work best with overdrive, how gain stacking works, and the perfect partners for this dynamic effect.Read more…
Guitar Pedals Go Country
Country music uses pedals differently than other genres. Explore the style’s effects history and learn to use stompboxes to get that twang.Read more…
What’s the Difference Between a DS-1, SD-1, and BD-2?
Discover the differences between these three pedals. Explore how they sound, how they’re used, and which one might work for you.Read more…
Specifications:
- Nominal Input Level
- -20 dBu
- Input Impedance
- 1 M ohm
- Nominal Output Level
- -20 dBu
- Output Impedance
- 1 k ohm
- Recommended Load Impedance
- 10 k ohms or greater
- Controls
- Pedal switch
GAIN knob
TONE knob
LEVEL knob - Indicator
- CHECK indicator (Used for indication of check battery)
- Connectors
- INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
DC IN jack - Power Supply
- Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22) or Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately) - Current Draw
- 20 mA
- Expected battery life under continuous use
- Carbon: Approx. 24.5 hours
Alkaline: Approx. 44 hours
*These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use. - Accessories
- Leaflet (“USING THE UNIT SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,” and “Information”)
Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22) - Option (sold separately)
- AC adaptor (PSA series)
- Size and Weight ( incl. battery )
- Width
- 73 mm
2-7/8 inches - Depth
- 129 mm
5-1/8 inches - Height
- 59 mm
2-3/8 inches - Weight
- 360 g
13 oz - * 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
- *The specifications are subject to change without notice.
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