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Fuzzy Bosses

On the Boss side, let's start with the DF2. It is quite uncommon because it uses a monophonic synth that generates a note when you step and keep your foot on it. As the note is related to what comes out of the guitar, it sounds like feedback. Almost. The distortion part is very close to a DS1, so it is not that great. The best thing to do is to restore some mids to the sound and maybe reduce the amount of clipping. I did this mod on a few DF2 for customers so they could have the feedback without the distortion. They seemed quite happy. While the pedal's tone is not very inspiring, the feedback effect can be great fun and it can fool the public in a live context.

What can I say about the Boss DD-3? I got this one for almost nothing as it was dead. Its tones are similar to the ones I can get from my Peavey DDL, if only slightly brighter. Its main advantage is that the mix control is very progressive and allows to use the pedal in front of a fairly overdriven amp while still providing enough control on the delayed signal level. The DD-3 is simply a good workhorse.

The Boss FZ2 is called Hyper Fuzz because it is based on the Univox Superfuzz. The circuit is "improved" to offer a higher output level, less noise and an additional clear boost mode. The two fuzz modes simply reflect the two tone options of the Superfuzz. The tone of the FZ2 is quite agressive, with a very pronounced upper octave effect. I hated it the first time I tried it because I didn't understand that the best way to use it is to play it like an Octavia. The FZ2 sounds very much like the Ibanez Standard Fuzz or the Superfuzz but with more output and a "cleaner", more modern slant. The two band eq is a great added bonus. It works very well for leadlines and crazy low string riffing.

Next we have the Boss FZ3. Just like the FZ2 and FZ5, it sounds as good as a hoover plugged into an 8" speaker when you first try it. But the interesting thing is that a silicon Fuzz Face is at the heart of the circuit. It is therefore pretty easy to mod it into a FF type pedal with an added tone control. To get you started, take a look at my article here in the Tech Talk page. It really can be made to sound great! It is amusing to notice that Boss has decided to base its fuzz designs on famous fuzz pedals from other manufacturers. To my knowledge, these are the only Boss pedals of the time to borrow from other manufacturers (apart from the OD1). Furthermore, why not make a fuzz pedal based on the highly collectible Bee Gee and Bee Baa fuzzes from parent company Roland?


Boss 1st compact series

The OD1 is just a Tube Screamer with no tone pot. It sounds very screechy in its original form but I have an extremely simple mod to counteract this (just one resistor!). It then becomes very warm and pleasant. That's now 7 Tube Screamers in my possession. True, it is a lot, but it is never too much.

The CS1 is a special beast. You have to like dirty compression to appreciate it but with the switch in the Hi position, you can sound like Dire Strait pretty pretty easily.

The TWha is one great pedal with a perfect tracking, no warbling, and a very good wah tone: there is a cry-baby circuit inside! It doesn't have many controls but what it does, it does well.