Boss TR-2 Tremolo

As usual for boss pedals this is pretty easy to use. I mean, if you can handle three knobs...

I bought it, tried it, and brought it back to the store.
What a poor tremolo pedal!
It`s terribly noisy, as if you implant a miniature Steamtrain in your amp that does anoying choo-choo-choo-choo sounds.
The other big problem is that it has a ridiculous low output, so you`ll have to install a boost or volume pedal to get along during live gigs. - Unacceptable.

The effect itsself is OK, though pretty cold, but you have a lot of options and can go up to helicopter trem sounds.

Boss pedals are always reliable. - Unfortunatly most of the time you can also rely on poor sound.

never did

Boss pedals are reliable, we all know. But that`s nearly all for the TR2.
It is noisy and weak.
Save some money and go for a T-Rex Tremster or even better a Fulltone Supa Trem.
They are worth the price- the Boss TR2 is not!

I play an Ibanez SZ520 and a baritone-tuned frankenstrat into a Rivera M-100. The TR-2 sits last in my front-of-amp chain, which goes vintage Morley VCO --> Boss GE-7 --> MXR Distortion+ --> MXR Phase100 --> Boss TR-2(it is a tad too subtle when it sits in the fx loop). It is very quiet...I do believe the newer TR-2's have had some sort of manufacturing change that makes them less hissy.
I did a pre-mod check, and yes...the sounds are shall we say...uninspiring.
So, I got out some snips and said goodbye to capacitor #4.
The mod is as good as advertised. You will not regret doing it.
The only thing I wish it had was an expression pedal input to change the effect rate.

I've got a silver-screw DS-1 and a CE-2 from the seventies that still work and sound like new. 'Nuff said.

You have to remember just how large a company Roland/Boss is.
Maybe I am just lucky but the two times I've needed them, I recieved prompt, friendly and accurate info.

I play mostly classic and hard rock. This pedal is versitile enough to go from "Born on the Bayou" to all kinds of nouveau chopped-up mayhem. After doing the C4 mod, I truly love this pedal.

Very easy to use and get a good sound out of it. It's a nice mod that takes a great, built like a tank, pedal and makes it more prominent. Love the blue light that is added. Step on it and go

The boss trems are normally dinged for their volume drop when engaged, with this mod there is a slight volume boost so the trem really stands out in the mix. I've read about some people modding these themselves by cutting some capaciter thing, but I wouldn't trust myself to do that. This is a good mod that makes a great trem even better - no real complaints.

built like a tank - no issues

don't know

solid trem - solid mod

Pedal sounds too dark and undefined when its stock. The volume drop was also a pain in the ass. To be honest, I was going to sell the pedal until I found out about the modifications available. Not the greatest sounding stock tremolo.

As Spider already posted, this pedal sounds quite a bit better when you switch out some of the stock component with upgraded parts. I had a local tech modify the pedal for me using Spiders instructions:

"To sort the drop in volume issue replace resistor (R9 10K) for a 4.7K resistor or better still install a 10K trim pot and tweak to the desired volume required."

4.7k is way too much gain. I even tried 5.6k but, which was a little bit better, but still too much. I wanted a enough of a boost to create a unified gain sound. The problem I also ran into was that when using the tremolo as the last in my effects chain, the volume boost of the tremolo drowned out the other pedals. I gave up on the idea of a resistor and the tech suggested that he install a trimmer on R9. This method works a lot better and basically performs the function of a volume control via the resistors output. It can also be installed on the board instead of having to drill for a new volume knob, or having to order a dual pot.

"To make the pedal have a more Hi Fi sound reduce noise remove (C3, C5,C20,C21 1uf)electrolytic caps and replace with 1uf metallised film capacitors/Mylar.Also replace(C2 and C6 10uF) electrolytic caps for tantalums."

No real comment. The caps are what alter the overall tone of the pedal. It pisses me off that Boss couldn't spend a dollar or two more and use the above caps to begin with. The pedal sounds awesome right now, and all I did was change 6 capacitors with better quality ones.

"To add high end sparkle remove completely (C7 10pF capacitor).Try it, if it is not to your taste put the cap back in."

I have a strat, tele and a Rivera Knucklehead. I have enough treble as it is, not applicable to me. I don't know if it's possible, but it seems like a toggle switch allowing two different tones: stock, and low cut would be cool. What I "hear" as tremolo in my head is a warm, wavey sound though, so it's all subjective.

"If you feel you would like to increase the rate lower the value of (R31 50K)try say a 10K to start with.I personally left mine as stock value.The above requires a bit of knowledge and the use of a soldering Iron...Proceed with care."

With the above mods, the pedal can get very "choppy" if you turn the rate and depth all the way up, as well as turning the frequency knob to sawtooth. If you're into that sound it would be cool, just not functional for me.

BTW, if you are going to do the above mods and have removed c4 from the board, you will need to replace it. I talked to one of the people at Keeley and he said they do nothing to c4, he actually asked me some questions about it and how it affected the tone.

Boss...hells yeah.

Waka waka!!!

Awesome with the mod, not so hot without it.

This is an update to my review on 11/27/2004, where I described my C4 mod to the TR-2. Since then, I have helped dozens of people make this mod, and everyone seems to be pretty happy with the results. I have also noticed a number of positive reviews for the mod here on the Harmony Central site. The C4 mod puts alot more pep and personality into this little green guy.

Here are the C4 mod instructions:
1. Remove the bottom plate and the insulating plastic piece which is just inside.
2. Carefully fold out the circuit board and find C4 in the middle of the board (it looks like a little silvery pillow, and the board says "C4" next to it)
3. Remove C4. You can use wire cutters, nail clippers, or even scissors. You can also bend it back and forth a zillion times until the two leads break.
4. Replace the circuit board, insulator, and bottom cover. Done!

Don't forget- this will VOID your warranty.

If you have any questions, please email me. I can send you a scan of the circuit board showing the location of C4.

-zuff

This pedal is composed of only three knobs, so it's very very easy to use and the controls are pretty immediately understandable

I felt only a little volume loss. But this tremolo can offer to the player a huge variety of sounds. The sound is dark and psychedelic. We can never set the tempo, but that's the best of tremolos!!! :-)

Ok. Just as the Boss guarantee teaches us all!

I don't know

I play pink floyd and oasis. anyway the sound is adactable to every stile!!! Since the sixties' piano to the interrupted voice tremolo!!! Great!!

Three knobs - rate, wave, depth. Doesn't get any simpler, really ...

I play pretty much exclusively a Fender American Deluxe Strat ---> Marshall AVT100 (soon to be replaced by a decent 30/40 watt tube amp) with various used in between ... Crybaby 535Q, Ibanez Fuzz (rarely), and the Boss TR-2. Before the C4 mod I was quite satisfied with the sound; it was a sort of soft vintage-style flutter/swell, quite nice. However upon reading that it could be improved, I made a rash decision and cut out the C4 cap (a silver 'water-tower on 2 legs' type thing right near the centre of the board, next to a black rail-looking thing) with some little scissors. When I set it all up and plugged in again, I immediately thought I had botched it; there was this crackly choppy signal for a split second ... but then, checking the leads and junk were all plugged in, it worked like dream. The upgrade in tone post-mod is remarkable! It kept all the sparkle and there was no volume cut ... also the variation are a tad more prominent, you can get more extreme tremolo sounds now.

Previously, yes - built very solid. Now, with voided warranty and all - have no idea. I only did the mod 30 minutes ago!

Pointless now, anyways ...

I've been playing nearly 7 years ... heavily into blues and oldies rock, some alternative stuff (Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Jeff Buckley, etc.) As I said, I was quite happy with the thing before I modded it, but the mod turned the TR-2 from a really good pedal into a superb one. First and only mod I've ever attempted btw, really easy. Before the mod I might rate about 8, after mod would be 10; so in between I shall go!

Using with Fender Blues Junior. Marshall AVT50H head and 1960AV cab. Or sometimes with Peavey Blues Classic amp straight in and with only TS-9 Tube Screamer.

Guitars: Jay Turser JT-50 (Goth copy) and Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan strat.

Honest and open: Unless you'll remove the C4 capacitor cap, don't buy this pedal. Sucked all tone and volume. Removed the C4 with scissors. Awesome. That easy. HOwever, bear in mind that you void the warranty when you remove the C4 cap. I don't get in to other mods, though. Again, keep in mind that this is the only way to have this pedal, so say just go to hell when they tell you at the shop you can buy an extended Boss 2 year warranty plan for an extra $20. Boss don't break.

Once the mod is done, tone is great. Anything from Flamenco to the Leslie Cab twirling horn sound. From ska to funk to rock to reggae to SRV's "Cold Shot"

Not noisy at all. Nice and quiet with as much true bypass as possible.

Now the effects sound great.

5 before the mod, 8 after the mod. I mean c'mon, for a trem pedal there may be not be a '10' on the market.

Can absolutely depend on Boss. No questions. Gig without a backup any day.

n/a

Great match for any type of persons and music. Playing over 15 years. Own Fender Strat/SRV; Jt-50 Jay Turser; Yamaha Flamenco Guitar; Fender Metal Resonator guitar

Own Marshall AVT50H head (valvestate) with AVT CAB; Marshall 1960AV cab 4X12; Fender Blues Junior Combo amp (tube); Peavey Blues Classic 40W amp combo (tube); Fender FM212R solid state combo;

various pedals (crybaby; TS-9 tube screamer; NYC Big Muff; Digitech Delay (don't buy one...all they do is suck volume) )

AGain, 5 rating before simple mod; 8 after

It's a quite easy effect, 3 knobs:
-rate, increases the speed of the tremolo;
-wave, controls the waveform of the effect;
-depth, when counterclockwise no effect in created.

I use it with my rick bass -> all tube ampeg and the effect is very good. I bought it four years ago but I was not satisfied at all. I have to admit it was thinking to sell it until I read about this C4 mod: I did it and the effect improved so much I decided not to sell it anymore. Just cut that big silver cap with some scissors. No more volume drop, and the general sound was not altered. I am really satisfied now! I don't find it noisy at all. I have to agree with lots of other rewievers, 6 unmodded, 9 modded.

The pedal is sturdy and really dependable.

I never had to get in contact with Boss, as said their pedals are reliable.

I play rock and progressive rock and effects are an important part of my sound. I think I found the ultimate tremolo effect and I won't ever think to sell it anymore. If stolen I'd buy another, maybe used since these are not so cheap!

Easy to use. Three knobs

My set up consists of: Vintage Fender Strat > RMC 1 Wah > Axis Face Fuzz > IbanezTS9 > Fender Reverb > Fender Deville(4x10)Amp.

The Boss TR2 in original condition is a good pedal BUT, with the help of a gentlemen named Dan Wiley (an electrical engineer)whose comments I read (see below) about the C4 mod, I proceeded to amputate the tiny damn thing located in the center of the board and the TR2 became a great effect with a "meatier,warmer tone and no volume drop". I do not get involved with electrical boards but this operation was easy. Went from a 7 to a 10 in quality.

Built like a tank. No problems

N/A

Blues, vintage rock, jazz. I have been playing for 20 years. The TR2 is a great addition to my peddle board with true bypass and the C4 mod.