Boss Blues Driver: BD-2 Waza Craft vs. Keeley Phat Mod
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
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The humble Boss BD-2 Blues Driver - a very underrated workhorse pedal. But in they stock configuration, they shelve off a load of low end and have a tendency to be quite noisy. Over the years, various people have 'modded' the BD-2 to fix these issues - the main one being Robert Keeley.
Keeley modded Blues Drivers are used by many great players all over the world (if you've ever watched That Pedal Show, you'll know how much they love theirs!) Because of the way it cleans up with the guitar's volume control, many players (Andy Timmons, most notably) use it to shape their clean tone.
Keeley upgrade components in the stock BD-2 to increase dynamics, lower the noise floor, bring back the low end & change the clipping structure slightly. They also do an additional 'Phat' mod (as in the pedal here) with an extra switch to add even more low end.
However, in 2014 Boss themselves announced the Waza Craft range - and they listened to the various criticisms of the stock BD-2. The BD-2w is essentially a Keeley modded Blues Driver, and the 'Custom' mode is the Phat mod.
Plenty of people on forums & on UA-cam have discussed how the stock BD-2 compares to both the Keeley mod & the Waza. But as far as I'm aware, no videos exist comparing the two modded pedals directly. Many have speculated on forums...but here is the proof, once and for all!
To my ears, the Waza has less low end in Standard mode than the Keeley. The Keeley cleans up slightly better with the volume control, but because of the huge low end it can sound slightly mushy at high gain, even with the Phat switch down. In Custom/Phat modes, the Keeley has more low end once again.
With everything set to 12, the Waza has a slightly higher output than the Keeley and is slightly brighter, so in the video I compensate for this by turning the volume & tone up on the Keeley - so that we can better compare the fundamental sounds of the pedals without perceived volume/EQ differences.
I didn't show this in the video, but the noise floors of the two are essentially identical - and the EQ sweeps are almost exactly the same too.
Which do you prefer? And why? Comment below!
Guitar is a Fender Strat through a Cornell Romany Plus (recorded with an sE Electronics RNR1 Ribbon) and a Hughes & Kettner Puretone (recorded with a 57)
jp@joeperkins.co.uk
I own (and LOVE) an original BD2, no mod. What I typically do is roll my guitars tone knob all the way down, and bring the BD2's tone knob most of the way up, then set the gain almost all the way up, and it's creamy, dreamy, tone rich bliss!
What a cool trick, I don't have a blues driver yet but I'll keep this in mind.
Same !
SO COOL~
Watching this video I just realized that the pedal I ended up with from guitar center was a Keeley modded one by accident 🤷
It has a blue light and a switch on it. Was wondering why mine looked so different than other peoples videos
loool, did you get a good deal? I see them on reverb for ~200 USD
Maybe guitar center didn’t know either. Those guys usually aren’t too sharp. Haha
lucky
Did you ever find out if it was the Keeley mod that you mistakenly bought? I would say you would know by the box. It would have a Keeley decal over (next to) the Boss one. However the box could have been switched along the way. Hopefully it was the Keeley mod.
I was just curious because I have seen moded bd-2s with a switch but not necessarily modded by Keeley.
Nice comparison! I have a few od pedals, including a Maxxon Tubescreamer and a Klon clone, and have just bought the BD2W. I really prefer the low gain od pedals, despite a background in heavy metal - they just make me want to play more / better! I also have a Free The Tone Firemist which was absolutely raved about, but it just doesn’t do it for me.....think I’ll stick to the lower gain stuff
The Waza is a bit tighter in the lows in mod mode, but overall, it's a tie.
I sold my Keely blues driver to Andy Timmons in 2012, last time I talked to him in 2017 it was still on his board.
Appreciate the comparison. I used to have a Keeley BD-2 and foolishly sold it. Was hoping to replace it with the Waza but wasn’t sure if how the stacked up against each other. Now I do.
Slight differences but I'd be happy with either tbh.
Like most people, I think I fancy the Blue one.
I agree with your assessment; I have the Keeley modded one and it's been on my board for a while as my low gain drive.
Very good video! I think that for a Strat with Alnico single coil pups (or maybe a Tele) the Keeley would be the clear winner. For humbuckers maybe the Waza would be better.
I love my keeley super phat mod od
Thanks, great video! Honestly I don't feel the need for more bass on the pedal, I tend to cut out lots of low end anyways.
Hey mate great "correct" comparison. I played a bd-2w and it s a clear improvement.. totally worthy. The bass frequency cut can make it go quite mean with th gain crancked out but still very dynamic.. i have a question thought. Which of both is more rouch sensitive? Greetings
In all honesty, aside from the slight difference in low end they really were identical in every way - to my ears/fingers!
Well I have an old BD-2 that never really left my pedal board in the last 8 years. I was thinking to upgrade to the Waza, but looks I can save some money by digging out my toolbox and buying a mod kit somewhere for probably about 30 bucks :) thanks for this video.
I made the mistake of selling my keeley bd2. Hunted for 8 month to get it back
thanks for being the one to do this. it's a good demo
Cheers mate :-) Glad you like it
I've just bought a brand new BD-2...sounds awesome...in every way...
Great video, nice short quick intro, you give us all the info we need ti know and then right into rocking out. Well done.
Thanks for the Video & Nice work!
both sound good. nice playing bro.
Thanks mate :-)
The waza still has a bit of the plastic sound
Ok so I watched this and then bought a keely...
I agree with all the conclusions you drew in the video; however, the waza was brighter throughout and I feel that when stacking it into my strymon riverside I will like the bass from the keely. They both seem like great pedals but through my rig and how I play the keely is better for me. If I had a sunset I would probably go for the waza, well done on the video.
The wazza version in standard mode sounds best for me as I'd use this pedal as a solo boost. So needs good mids...
I preferred the Waza out of these two also...they were very close, but I thought the Keeley got too bassy for almost all applications; the Waza was right in the sweet spot in both settings :-)
Well done man ;)... I'm very happy with my BD-2w
Cheers dude! :-) I was 100% expecting to prefer the Keeley, but....I kept the Waza!
I find it very complete and smooth ... I had (Wampler Pinnacle, Carl Martin PlexiTone, T-Rex Mudhoney...etc) and still possess a good amount of pedals like Friedman BE-OD, Fulltone OCD (latest V2)... etc ... but I always tend to come back from the old Blues Driver (now I use the Waza) ... I've always paired with a Tube Screamer, I've been using Maxon OD9 for a couple of years, it's a nice pair, I recommend it! ... Take care mate, Ciao! ;-)
Yrs ago I bought a used Alchemy modded BD-2 for $80. Was completely satisfied until I started listening to other comments about Keeley, Waza, and others. Found a Keeley for $124, found a Waza for $93 and a stock BD-2 for $49. Did me own comparison and found that for $80 I am completely happy with my choice. The others sit on the shelf. Will I sell them? Why as they work and someday I may want to use them.
I kind of like the toppier sound of the Waza. Little more clear. I had the BD2 Keeley Modded. Great boost pedal all around.
Waza better clarity
Has anyone compared the Boss Waza Craft BD to the Keeley Muse Driver?
Thanks for letting me know they sound exactly the same
Cheers mate...love Alex's tones! :-)
Who’s here because of Frank Iero? 👀
Me
Dude thank u for doing this video!!!!
Thanks for doing this. It's weird. Sometimes the pedals sound the same to me. Sometimes the Waza sounds better, sometimes the Keeley. Not sure what to think.
They were pretty close - a slight tolerance difference in the pots, but that'd be the same for two versions of the same pedal as well. For me, the big difference was in the low end...the Waza was thinner in both modes when comparing them like-for-like. Personally, I preferred the Waza...I liked that you could shelve off a good amount of lows in the Standard mode, but it could also get thick. I felt the Keeley was already quite thick in the first mode, and too bassy for me in the second. I think the Waza in Custom mode was more close to the Keeley in its first mode, in terms of thickness in the low end. But...just my opinion - everybody's preferences are different!
Great vid!
I couldn’t tell much of a difference listened to the video but that could be UA-cam’s compression. I’d be happy with either.
Joe, what do you think: i wana get a used bd2w, but with the same price, i could get an used bd2 Plus an tubescreamer mini.
I liked the TS better in only one situation: with low gain, to give a little crunch to the sound when playing chords, especially fingerstyle blues/funk/fusion kind of stuff. But besides that, i dont see many use to the TB, and prefer the bd2 sound.
Will i be able to get that with the custom mode in the waza? What do you think? I play an LP, by the way.
Personally....go for the Waza. The stock BD-2 is pretty thin in the low end (that's the big reason why the Keeley mod was so revered that Boss included it in their Waza!) - and I actually preferred the Waza over the Keeley. It's a huge improvement on the stock BD-2. It doesn't have the mid-push of a TS, it's more full frequency, but because of that I think it works much better as 'an overdrive'. For me, I love the TS sound but usually as a boost into another pedal or cranked amp. Plus...you're playing a Les Paul, which has a load of mids already!! So, I'd definitely go for the BD-2w if I were you......miles better than the stock BD-2, and much more useful for you than the TS-mini would be. Better to have one amazing, versatile pedal than two that probably won't work as well for you. :-)
Waza it is, then! ill keep tje original plan. Thanks for your time and consideration, very kind of you. Cheers!!
No worries Eduardo - hope I helped in some tiny way!! :P
And I like it I like It I like I like it I la la la like it la la la like it. Good video sir
We all like it, we like it, we like it...!! ;-) Haha Thanks pal! :-)
Joe Perkins will this pedal turn me into Andy Timmons?
I can sense your hair growing long just by looking at it ;-)
Rockin' all over the world!
BD2Keeley Phat Mod Mammoth is the one for me it sounds the best on a Gibson Les Paul Standard through a Fender deluxe reverb
What other pedals do you like. I have a les Paul and a deluxe and find that I have to test stuff and really hunt for the right fits. For overdrive I like the tumnus deluxe and fulltone ocd but the ocd isn't necessary anymore with the tumnus which I find superior but I stackem anyway.. I recent bought an arcane analog fuzz pedal which is a tone bender mk 2 clone I believe.. WhaT fuzz do you use and do you have any pedals you highly recommend ? Also are you sticking with the Jensen speaker or have you swapped it out. My les Paul and deluxe are great. Fuzz and my telecaster is a challenge. Any insight would be cool
I must say I like so many pedal I have a Seymour Duncan 805,Ti boost Laney Tony Iommi black country custom Zendrive , Neunaber Immerse reverberator hope this helps
nice vid M8
Keeley Wins. Flawless victory.
Hey Joe thanks mate.... definitively the internet of guitar things needed this. I needed this. Now to my long story: I have local access to the boss bd2w for a good price. Lower price than in Europe including vat exclusion. However, I want the new Super Phat Mod, the one with the "toshiba" transistor... which I need to order from either the UK or Germany. For around 20% more the price. Is it worthy the extra bucks, plus delivery? Or I shall take the boss, get it immediately, and save the bothers? Cheers. Thx for your demo again.
Hi Ces - I'm not 100% sure which transistor my Keeley BD-2 had in it (I've actually just sold it) but if the Toshiba is a new mod then mine almost certainly didn't have it because I think mine was a few years old. I bought them both and kept my favourite, which was the Waza. It really surprised me, because after all I'd heard about the Keeley mod I was expecting it to outclass the Waza. In truth, both pedals were exceptionally close (as you'll hear in the vid!) and to be honest, unless you were A/Bing them directly you'd probably never really know there was much of a difference at all. The Keeley cleaned up ever-so-slightly better with the guitar's volume knob - but the reason I kept the Waza was because of the difference in the low end. To me, the Waza S/C switch acted like a 'standard' bass switch on a normal OD pedal...it goes from normal (plenty of bass), to a slight bass boost. The Keeley had a lot of bass anyway, and then goes to even more bassy with the Phat switch - I felt it almost had too much bass without the Phat switch on, let alone with it. So I kept the Waza because of its versatility - cutting the low end in Standard mode was useful to be able to do, and in Custom mode it had loads of bass but not too much. The Keeley was almost too much of a good thing when it came to low end. But as I said, you really wouldn't spot too many differences unless you were A/Bing them directly. As for the Toshiba transistor...I'll have to let you tell me if it's worth it! :-)
Joe Perkins Music great. Thx for your reply. Keeley just released his own take now on the BD2 mod and it's called Super phag mod. New enclosure and it's a pedal on its own. This is the one with the toshiba element which supposedly providing it with a kind of new voicing... but it is still the same he was doing to the bosses, but now he doesn't need a boss pedal to do it... any way... very useful demo. Thx again for replying. Cheers
Ah I see - sorry, I read that wrong! Yes, Keeley stopped doing the Boss BD-2 mods because they started doing their own pedal with the Super Phat Mod - I didn't know about changing to the Toshiba transistor though! Thanks for watching, glad the video was useful :-)
So then, theoretically, the Keeley BD2 would be an ideal match for the Blues Juniour which is known for lacking in bass!
Wait ... I have the Keeley Modded BD2 (early 2000s) and a Fender Blues Junior NOS in tweed! Would people see value in a vid on this match?
@@bungy007 is it done already?
Great video! Thanks for the comparison!
Thanks mate - happy to help :-)
Waza sounds less compressed in the lows. Little more air around the notes!
Keeley is compressed and a bit more low end
Refreshing to see a video that gets to the point. Thanks so much for that 🙂
Sold mine pink label! Regret . Try to get it back
great demo
Great video. Thank you!
No problem - glad it was useful :-)
Brilliant video, earned a subscriber. Can see how much work you put into the videos, Great job!
Thanks Jamie - much appreciated :-)
The keeley phat mod hits. Can’t be beat.
Wow.sounds like boss lifted keeleys mod idea from them to apply to theyr own pedals officially and called it WAZACRAFT.to charge more money for an old old pedal.
As well as improving the input buffer, I think that's _exactly_ what they did!
damn the Keeley sounds amazing to my ears.
Can’t tell the difference.
Yep, definitely! Aside from the slight difference in low end on the mod switches & the tone knobs being in v. slightly different ranges, they're pretty much identical! :-)
The opposite for me. I've had the Keeley BD-2 for years and just picked up a brand new Waza hoping it would be close enough to have as a second, but the difference to me is huge. My Keeley BD-2 is way, way louder than the Waza and the Waza is much darker in either mode.
Guess they all vary a fair bit!!
@@JoePerkinsMusic - I just bought a second Keeley modded BD-2. It sounds identical to my original Keeley modded BD-2, at all settings.
The BD-2W was brand new, so perhaps Boss made some changes to the circuit in the four years since you made this comparison video.
The noise Floor on the Keeley is usually Lower on the Keeley but I dont know what it is like on the Waza
I remember them being pretty much the same - one didn't stand out above the other in that regard
I don't know why there are two versions of the BD-2 Waza: Japan and Taiwan.
The strangest thing is that the original BD-2 is made in Taiwan so ... Why the hype of the made in Japan? LOL.
I didn't even know there were two versions of the Wazas! :P Guessing they're probably exactly the same though!
@@JoePerkinsMusic All the Waza were supposed to be made in Taiwan, except for the CE-2W which was made in Japan, but then they started to make them all in Japan. Very typical of Boss, Lol.
Anyway, I appreciate your video and your impressions. I have Fender amps and they can be very bassy, so a modded BD-2 with too much bass is not very good for my ears. Greetings!
Hi. What pedal is better for Ramones songs, the normal one or the waza ? Thanks.
The other one here is the Keeley modded BD-2 - not the stock Boss one. But to be honest - any of the three will do you. That’s the spirit of punk rock...just plug in & make some noise!! :-)
It seems to me the gain / tone / volume never was set at equal leves. Seems like the waza always is set lower.?
They were set to equivalent volume, gain and tone - tolerances in the components mean the knobs might not be in _exactly_ the same position to achieve that.
You rock kind sir!
Thanks for this video. Good Work! The Keeley is the winner. At first they sounded identical but on some decent audio gear, the Keeley delivers a win. The Keeley is more natural and just sounds like it's build into the amp with more natural mids. Nice try Boss but Keeley knows best.
Sweet demo man! Hugely helpful. Awesome riffs btw!
I tested the Keeley and I can get close to same sound with adjusting the pickup tone and the tone on the std. BD-2
So I’m sticking to my trusty factory BD-2
Thanks for the comparison 👍🏼
Nice tones! I was surprised you can get the BD-2 to do a "mid-hump" if you roll back the tone. What is that bridge pickup on your strat? Sounds killer.
Cheers mate! :-) It's a 'Partscaster' but built up by somebody else so I'm not 100% on the exact specs...but they're handwound pickups made by Johan Lundgren over in Sweden. I'm not sure of the exact pickup model - and after emailing him some pictures, neither is he! :P But he reckons they're his replicas of early '60s Strat pickups :-)
To me the Boss Waza Craft sounds much better. It has just the right amount of bass in both modes, and it has better sound focus overall, especially in the mid frequencies, which makes it sound perfect especially on Fender amps. Unlike the Keeley, the waza craft is truly a full range overdrive. By the way, the waza craft is made in Japan, uses "discrete components", and is completely analog. In my opinion, The Boss Waza Craft is without a doubt the winner.
I preferred the Waza too :-)
Keeley sounds better to me.
The thing about low end on a guitar is that in the recording and mastering process a lot of that is filtered out, otherwise your overall recording is a muddy mess. That’s why more midrange-focused pedals and effects work a little better, unless you’re doing metal.
And it’s called a BLUES driver, not a distortion pedal. Ever hear top blues artists? Their tone tends to live in the mid and upper-mid frequencies.
Keeley sounds better, the Waza's distortion is a little too raunchy like the original BD-2
aside from that low end missing from the waza, there was very little difference between the two until you got to the custom/phat part. i listened to them without watching the screen at random times going from one to the other so i didn't know which was which, and i did that many times. every time the keeley sounded much more clear in the mids and highs than the waza. and seeing as how i want the pedal to do my darndest to emulate Andy Timmons, that's a no go for me on the waza. he runs his with the gain nearly maxed. thank you very much for this video. i had been going nuts trying to figure out if they would do the same things. you saved me many moneys.
Happy to help! :-)