Boss BD2, SD1 or OD3? How To Choose a Boss Overdrive Pedal that is Right For You
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- I'm comparing the Boss OD-3 Overdrive, SD-1 Super Overdrive and BD-2 Blues Driver overdrive pedals.
Which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.
I did this comparison to help me decide which Boss Overdrive pedal I prefer. I thought other players might find it useful when trying to decide which pedal to buy.
I know there are LOADS of other Boss overdrive pedals that I'm not covering, but let me explain why I narrowed it down to just these three. There are other current production Boss drive pedals like the BC-2, ST-2 and OD-1X but they are all digital pedals and while that's not a bad thing by any means I simply wanted to stick to analog overdrive pedals for this video. There are also the modified Waza Craft versions, the SD-1W and BD-2W that many people might prefer but I decided to stick with just the stock versions because I feel if you understand how the stock versions of these pedals sound first, then you can better decide after that if you might prefer a modified version. As for the many great out of production overdrive pedals that Boss have made, I'm afraid I'm just sticking to the current production models in this video.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:20 - As a Foundation Overdrive
03:42 - As a Low Gain Boost
05:41 - As a High Gain Boost
If you buy one of these pedals and want to support the channel please consider using my affiliate links:
- Boss OD-3 Overdrive
USA: amzn.to/3puzeBc
UK: amzn.to/3w5Usb3
- Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
USA: amzn.to/3uWO0So
UK: amzn.to/351yUAq
- Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
USA: amzn.to/3w2hiAw
UK: amzn.to/2T7Cnej
Other equipment used in the video:
- Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue
USA: amzn.to/2TGNxGY
UK: amzn.to/34WmjyD
If you're interested in one to one online Zoom or Skype guitar lessons please contact me via my website michaelbanfieldguitar.com - เพลง
The OD-3 sounds amazing in front of the clean amp. It's almost voiced as a preamp and was the clear winner in this scenario imo. I've been an SD-1 user for decades, but I liked the BD-2 the best for everything else.
Yep the OD-3 is pretty much an amp preamp in a pedal. I love it. I still don’t know have one funny enough.
OD-3 sounds good o on bass too💪
You seriously do very thorough and in-depth demos and they don't take an hour because you don't over explain everything. Awesome man! Great playing.
This is the first video where you can distinctly hear the difference in the drives! Great work!!!
Cool, thanks! More Boss pedal comparisons on the way.
The SD1 really nails that rock n roll sound of the 70's and 80's.
Can i get good jimmy page tone using sd1?
@@A9_Chord Not really, better off with a marshall style amp pedal
Great comparison demo! I especially like the way you quickly toggle through all three pedals at the end of each segment so it's easy to hear the difference in tone. Much appreciated!
Been struggling forever about trying the OD-3 vs. my old SD-1, and this vid was a HUGE help! New subscriber! Thanks!
Best comparison I've seen. For someone just starting, this offers clarity that might otherwise take forever to fully appreciate. You're a good teacher.
Glad it was helpful and thank you for the kind comments!
I use the SD-1 and BD-2 as a combined tone and they sound mint together!
Back in early 90s I saw Dread Zeppelin. Their guitarist used a SD1 and BD2 into a rather clean Hughes & Kettner combo amp. I was astounded how good of tones he got from that setup. It was these pedals and the various combinations. I presume he used the BD2 for a distortion tone and then added the SD1 for high gain.
Same here, BD2 paired with SD1
I just watched so many videos trying to compare these and this one was the best. I really like how you went 1,2,3,1 because of our short auditory memory for comparisons. I also like that you weren't comparing them on a really dirty channel or anything. This was very comprehensive!
Gear Comparisons videos are so underrated.
Great work sir!!
I love the Blues Driver. It's got just the right amount of overdrive and balls to give me the sound I am looking for. Thanks for the comparisons. Much appreciated.
Super excellent: I have been watching tens of videos on ODs and several of them on Boss pedals. Your video is the one that informed me the most.
Wow, thank you!
Great quality review man. Keep it up. Quality audio and video, and I am glad you did the comparisons one right after the other with the same riffs, no pause in between and such.
Much appreciated!
Thank you for posting!! These pedals are very underrated for their own individual reasons. One could get a full compliment of drives by having them on their boards. I am sure they all stack well too.
Thanks for the video. I got a Boss OD-3 after watching this and have been loving the pedal already!
Great to hear, good choice!
I just picked up the Waza Craft Blues Driver and am just blown away by that pedal! It doesn't have the overemphasized mid-range hump of a tube screamer, which I love but I'm really digging the transparency of this Blues Driver and it really gives you that sound of a tube amp being driven hard! Plus getting the Waza Craft version gives you the circuitry of the original pedal plus the Custom mode which makes it sound more like a Keely version of a Bluedriver. Best of both 🌎!
SD-1 Is for Marshall and other good high gain rock amps. OD-3 sounds good on your clean amp
Running the Sd1 through a 100 watt Marshall with Master Gain. Sounds amazing...and 50 bucks. What a great bargain.
Found your video again, clicked like this time! LOL
Rewatching this with far more appreciation and respect for tone, I'm finding myself wanting all 3 pedals and wanting to play with them using my Blues Driver. It's so awesome how any combination of the two can help me sculpt my tone! I love this!!
Welcome back! Yeah they all have there uses, and when you get into combinations then the fun really starts!
I found this really interesting and very useful. Thanks for the in depth comparison. Nice job!
I like the way you switch thru each one with short riffs
uwu
Nice. Surprised how much I enjoyed the od-3 in your demo as I've not liked it in other demos. Great, thorough demo.
I love the OD-3 into a clean amp, thanks for commenting!
Great vid - rare to hear such a clear comparisons with excellent analysis afterwards. Got yourself a sub.
Welcome aboard!
I’ve seen a lot of demos and yours are at the top! I subscribed and rung the bell. 👍🏼
Great work. Love your approach! Gives a thorough comparison across the harmonic range.
Thank you. Hope it was useful!
Very good comparison my friend. Down to the point. Enough talking, same riffs on all pedals. Top content.
Much appreciated!
Best comparison video I've seen in TH-cam! Great insights as well. You nailed it! Subd!
Hey thanks, welcome aboard!
I love that little bit of bite out of the bd-2. I don't know if it's more presence or something about the difference in transistor and op-amp clipping, but it's always been my fave.
Great comparison. Nice work, Michael.
Very interesting review in the way you present the pedals used in conjunction with different amp settings. Overall I preferres the OD3 and the comparison has been very helpful and time saving!
Thanks for showing the strengths and weaknesses of each of the pedals. Novel approach and very informative. I enjoy the cognitive comparison.
My pleasure!
i was curious about the differences in these, thanks for the video this is perfect
Great content. I liked all three pedals in different situations. So hard to choose one!
I'm a clean amp, pedal platform, bedroom jammer. I had the SD1 on my board and it was always a bit thin sounding because of the mid hump. I swapped it for a BD2 and I'm shocked at the difference! The BD2 has way more gain, tone variety, and sounds much fuller in my situation. It goes all the way to distortion when maxed out. Extremely happy with it. It's now my main pedal for sure. The TH-cam shootouts don't quite capture the real differences, probably a compression thing.
Great comparison. love the midrange of the SD1
I use an SD-1 as a high gain boost with a 100 watt Marshall. It works really well.
Great comparison video. I like your approach. I have an SD-1 and I like it, but I like the sound of the OD-3 as a low gain boost. At higher gain I think I like the Blues Driver the best.
Great comparison thanks. As a pop-punk / indie fan, the SD-1 is my favourite on its own, and I like the BD-2 as a boost.
Loving the Boss comparisons, excellent content. Thank you.
My pleasure! More to come. Let me know it you have any video suggestions for Boss pedals, I was thinking of maybe doing something on the OS-2 next...
@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar Yeah I haven't played that one so would look forward to it. I'd also be interested to hear you playing/talking about how you achieve good clean tones. Btw the MT-2w is great & not just for metal, in custom mode with the Dist low you can get close to AC/DC.
@@johngregorowski Thanks John, yeah I'll have a think about a doing a video on clean tone, thanks. I only have the stock MT-2 so that's interesting about the MT-2w.
good comparison - useful and well edited too
Fantastic video! Best comparison ive seen yet.
Wow, thanks! More Boss pedal comparisons coming soon.
Very concise and informative comparison. Thanks. I wanted to like the OD 3 but found myself preferring the SD-1 for everything except volume boosting an amp. I guess there is a good reason why the SD has been around so long.
Yeah the SD-1 sure is a timeless classic. Thanks for commenting!
These three Boss pedals are real classics since ages but nobody did a good comparison vid about them until now. My personal favorite is the OD-3. Again, thanks for the great vid. Subscribed.
Very kind! Thank you!
Thank you for this video. Neat and concise narration. OD-3 on the clean channel sounded best to my ear.
Great demo, new subscriber here - Love my BD-2 into a Vox AC15C1 in front and set at 3-4 level. Gives me a low - mid gain boost, and it's nice and sparkly. The interesting thing I learned recently is that when running a DOD 250 as a clean boost pedal in front on the BD-2 with a full gain setting I can reach fuzz territory, not gated but nice saturated fuzz. So many combinations can be reached these days with pedal, amp EQ and the guitar volume and tone knob.
Good compare and contrast video man! In this shoot out I felt the SD-1 was consistently brighter with more highs. I like all three pedals but I prefer the slightly fuzz grit on the BD-2.
This is incredibly useful, thank you! Very well made video
yout technique for video making is awesome, clean and nailing it. i'm commenting just so your videos move up
It seems the best overall is the OD-3, but the SD-1 is so warm and creamy in a very good way and I think its frequency response helps the guitar to sit perfectly in its own range in the band mix. It would be nice to see and hear the same comparison with single coils.
This is a 100% correct. Once you know what tone you need to cut through a band mix, you recognize that tone anywhere. And that’s the SD1!
Great comparison, very clear and useful! Good job sir
Thanks, glad it was helpful!
Useful; subscribed! Standalone, I like what the OD-3 does. The SD-1 seems a fantastic alternative to a Tube Screamer as a stacker. It'd be interesting to hear this with all three set with the mid-frequencies level matched.
A very good presentation. I'm in the market for a 'first' pedal, and this video helped me greatly. Thank you!
I'm going with the BOSS 0D-3.
Great choice if you ask me, especially into a clean amp. Hope it works for you, welcome to the wonderful world of pedals!
you running a tube amp ??
Merci pour ce test vraiment bien réalisé, avec des séquences courtes qui permettent de conserver la mémoire sonore.
A very important factor when comparing pedals like these is your type of guitar. this is a humbucker source; this means high output, lots of midrange. A tele style or a strat style guitar would give either more sparkle or less midrange. My experience - which is personal - is
1 teles don't like fizzy gritty stuff which means the BD-2 is less good.
2 strats adore midrangy stuff, hence they like mid overdrives as the SD-1 (or even silicon fuzz faces for that reason)
In short: humbuckers style guitars will make the BD-2 score better, strats works best with SD-1 and teles love OD-3.
"overall average" I'ld say OD-3 is the most amp like of the three, with the BD-2 being an amp with a much smaller speaker. ;)
I know you're dead right, a similar argument could be made for amp and speaker choice too. I included some different guitars on a similar Boss distortion comparison but it can make the video quite long and not many people stay to watch the finer detail stuff, then the video gets a poor retention rate. I'll definitely include the odd extra guitar in the future though, thanks for commenting!
@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar You're dead right yourself there ;). I might think though short videos are impossible when comparing pedals. The videos of That Pedal Show are very very long, but they are popular as well. You did include bookmarks as they do as well: that really is the key, people might return to watch in several blocks.
On topic again: I commented because I prefer Strats and i love midrange drives and don't really like BD-2 for example. But I noticed that is mainly because of the guitar choice. And then the wheel started rolling ... I really hope you make other videos because you know, they are good ;)
@@arcadepiano il est humainement impossible de critiquer la telecaster , la meilleure guitare de l univers !!! je ne peus plus jouer sur autre chose , une guitare incroyable , avec laquelle nous pouvons aborder tous les styles , apres il faut de tout pour faire un monde , mais chez moi , mon pedalboard ne sonne jamais mieux que lorsque je branche ma telecaster .
I think I'm leaning towards the blues driver either way, looks dope, sounds dope, and a fairly good price. My only electric right now is a squier bullet mustang with double humbuckers so I'll probably just get that blues drive, that is when i get some money.
@@buttscarlton1830 totaly yes
Really nice review and you have made the difference audible. Cheers.
Good demo. My Nobels ODR-1 has just died and I was thinking of one of these three to replace it. This video has helped me choose, thanks! 🙂
BD2 has been my go to for a long time now as I find it so versatile. Increasing the gain anywhere up from 12 on the dial moves it from a crunch into an almost fat distortion, but still keeping its bluesy characteristics.
I find it feeds off the guitar's volume dial as well, tapering off the volume reduces the fatness but still gives a good signature crunch.
I never really put the tone dial above 9 though as the gains can really start sounding harsh.
Thanks for a good comparison of these classic pedals. Personally I have the SD1 on my board and use it for 70s rock into a just on the edge of breakup valve amp... the pedal is very affordable and cuts through the mix.. especially when you are playing with a keyboards.
Great thorough video. Very well compared and described. And I love them all haha.
Glad you enjoyed!
Great comparison. Makes me glad I have the SD-1. I'm looking at a transparent overdrive to run into the SD-1.
i used to do this an EHX English muff'n and it was the best od sound i have ever gotten out of an ampliflier. i would boost the high gain channel with it or run it in series with a hardwire distortion pedal through a valve king 4x12. it had a marshall like roar yet a really clear punchy sound to it that you could feel in your bones, its such an underrated od
Great video! I’m definitely down with the BluesDriver. It’s more the tone I’m after with what I’m trying to do.
Excellent format for showcasing the differences between pedals! I always found myself preferring the others to the OD-3, though. Horses for courses, I guess! Cheers!
I have a BD-2 and I love it. But you're right, compared to the other two there it has a different sound, closer to distortion. It has a fizzy bite (in the best possible way, exact opposite of a DS-1) while the other two are smoother. I'm going to get that OD-3! Great video.
Thanks for sharing! Yeah I think the OD-3 is great, especially on a low drive setting into a clean amp. You might like the sound of the BD-2 going into the OD-3 as well...
I enjoyed your comparison format and very glad to subscribe..At certain levels there seemed so little to choose between them and personally, I could use anyone.. The difference seems to come through as the volume is increased but it seems so subtle at times.. I wonder if a greater variation might show through with different guitars and pickup configurations.but that would mean a longer or additional videos. I love watching pedal reviews regardless.
I know what you mean about using different guitars, I did that with a Boss distortion pedals comparison but not too many people stay to watch the finer detail stuff like it seems, so then the video gets a poor retention rate. I definitely think I'll use the odd extra guitar in the future when it's relevant though. Thanks for commenting!
Best demo of those pedals out there!
Thank you!
I bought a mint Od-3 for $60 and I'm very happy. It's built like a tank and sounds great
I have the BD2 since two months ago. I can't stop playing with it. I play it with the Dumbloid overdrive pedal in the effects loop (as a cab sim) and put the BD2 at the front. The result is fantastic!
That's what they said when i was growing up...stop playing with it or you'll go blind lol!
@@xsamittbruh! 😅
Hi, Thank you for this video! I have finally picked which one I want. I'm a beginner!! Going for the BD2 Baby!! I'm excited, lol.
Excellent choice!
I really like your videos. They are always well done and informative :)
Thanks! Glad you like them.
Bought the sd-1 a few months back and love it for stacking the big muff. Great video! Definitely will sub :)
That's an interesting combination, Big Muff's are normally mid scooped while the SD-1 has a mid boost. I suspect the result might be a mid focused fuzz, nice!
@@MichaelBanfieldGuitar I run an SD-1 before the BigMuff, awesome tones!
I've got the same set up! An sd-1 before a big muff.
This is a very good comparison. Thank You!
Great demo! I like your other videos as well, glad I found your channel. Subbed!
Brilliant, thank you!
Great review, thanks for doing this so thoroughly and carefully. As a guitar-playing hobbyist, I don''t feel that I need to spend big bucks on pedals. To date I have some great pedals in the $100 to $150 range and I have the SD-1 and the BD-2 but not the OD-3. Now, I always thought the SD-1 sounded really good with my Stratocaster/Hot Rod Deluxe but I think I might need to get an OD-3 for those creamy low-gain tones. This review really helped me to hear the difference, thanks again!
I think the SD1 shines with amps that are already cranked. At least that's what I've found when using TS style pedals with blackstars and even with marshall in a box pedals. Both have tons of bass so SD1 cutting that bass and emphasizing mids is pretty good. Great vid btw, I am convinced I need a BD2 now. OD3 with probably make my sound v muddy due the low end.
An OD3 and a DS1 is all I need
Nice demonstration and great playing too!
I have an OD3.. use it all the time. Love it.
A+! 9 minutes 2 seconds and not an unneeded word. Review videos should be as concise and to the point a this one. Excellent.
Thank you. Glad you found it useful!
Nice comparison! OD-3 is my favorite but I think I'm going to buy'em all, haha
Good choice!
Great comparison and information. For sure a helpful video mate. Continue like the quality and you'll surely start growing.
Oh, and I personally prefer the OD-3 :) Very natural sounding.
Glad you found it helpful. Yeah I really liked the OD-3 too.
All pedals are great but I'm a die hard fan of OD3
I have both the SD1 and BD on my board. Choosing either is a win win, love them both. I have the BD set lower gain and the SD to where it rips.
Very nice!
The Sd-1 sounds awesome with Gain and tone on full!
Just got the Blues Driver Waza.. What a tremendous pedal.. It sounds fabulous with all my guits, Les Paul, Strat and Tele.
Great comparison video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video :D you really help me understand the differences 😁
Great comparison!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
This is my kind of channel. Direct, gives detailed but clear descriptions and just nice playing. Subbed. And you sold me on buying a BD. Thanks
That's brilliant, thank you!
Your videos are awesome, pls don't stop posting videos
Thank you! Just had a bit of time off. Next month I'll be uploading a lot more videos though.
Love the old Hondo (some what modded) that you are playing! OD3 really lovely!
Very nice comparison! Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
Hermano excelente video, me sacaste de dudas!! Mañana compraré el OD3, definitivamente es un overdrive puro con mucho gain y cuerpo!! Saludos desde Cereté-Córdoba-Colombis
Colombia!!
¡Gracias!
I actually got a Boss BD-2 from my friends dad, and I really do love it. I play a lot of Metal/Rock songs so this fit perfectly
you did a FANTASTIC job making this . i love how you edited the images of the pedals so one can clearly discern what is on - smart ! i have a large collection of dirt boxes here . i built most of them . i have ONE boss ds-1 lol . i did a wampler mod to it just because i felt it could be improved and i really did not care for that mod . i am gonna un mod it . in the mean time i think maybe for xmass i will ask for an sd-1 . i do not own a TS type pedal here . i do have a bad monkey and i love it very much . something about the boss aestetic and it being yellow .... nd only 49 dollars ! thanks for this demo . now i know what i am in for . i have a roland jc120 and then also a jc50 or is it a 70 i forget . i have read that people really like the sd-1 with that amp so ... there ya go .
Thank you! Glad it helped. Yeah, if you’re after a tube screamer type pedal by Boss then the SD-1 is the way to go, good choice. Thanks for commenting
Had the BD2 for quite awhile… nice comparison.
Hi, another great comparison. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Great comparison, thanks!
Very good comparison. Would have loved to see it with a single coil guitar as well since they act so different with pedals.
Had all of these, sold the SD-1 and BD-2 still have the OD-3, it sounds great with a clean amp, the SD-1 and BD-2 probably work best pushing an amp
Great content as always!
Great demo, cheers mate!
Thank you, my pleasure!
Blues driver reminds me of speaker break up. Super overdrive sounds best or most familiar. Great video, thank you!