Marshall BB-2 Bluesbreaker II

Well I am sure that we all know how to use a stomp box.

Mode (Blues/Boost)
Drive(Overdrive)
Tone (Bass Through Treble)
Level(Volume)

Any questions?

Ok, the important bit.

My setup:

Amps: Marshall SLP1959 100X Head Through 1960TV 4x12 100 cab
Fender Blues DeVille(circa 1999)

Both amps are running ASPEN 12AX7-M Preamp Valves, the marshall has the standard output valves and the fender has Philips USA 6L6's

Guitars: 70's strat (EMG SV pickups with active boost)
80's strat (scallopped with DeMarzio's)
60's Gibson LP (500T's)
00 Epihone LP (Gibson LP Std buckers)

Pedal Board: Guitar
-> Samson Wireless
-> Boss TU-12 (Tuner)
-> Cry Baby (With Volume Boost)
-> Ibanez TS-9DX (Drive low,levelhigh for gritty boost)
-> Marshall BB-2 (Main overdrive)
-> Marshall SV-1 (Chorus)
-> Boss DD-3 (Delay)

You can probably guess from my setup that I am into Blues and rock of a classic nature. My main sound/tone idols are David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple).

My settings for the BB-2 in this configuration are Mode: Blues, Drive: Max, Tone: Max, Level: 10-11'oClock. Bare in mind that the amp settings also play a large part in the overall sound. I have tried to set the Fender and the Marshall amps accordingly so that my overall sound is similar with just the coloration of the amp coming through.

Through the Fender using one of my strats the sound is very vintage, the overdrive is natural of 100W Marshall cranked. (I should know I have A/B tested it with my SLP) which is exactly the tone I like, although if you turn the guitar down as to clean the sound up, the sound changes into a warm Bassman sound (due to the ASPEN Mullards).

Once I start using the other effects in series, I can get a very acurate David Gilmour or a very close Ritchie Blackmore and all kinds of Zeppelin/Sabbath/Clapton sounds.

Through the Fender using a Gibson/Epiphone, the sound is still very vintage Marshall, although it accentuates the fat, rich sound you get from Humbuckers.

Again once using the other effects in series, I can get anything from Gary Moore/Paul Kossof/Jimmy Page.

Through the Marshall using a Fender the sound is still very much vintage Marshall (obviously) but the sound has that Marshall FAT sound, maybe even a little too much at times, you almost have to back off the drive a little on the BB-2 otherwise it can get fuzzy at times.

I can get anything from Hendrix/Clapton/Jeff Beck/Ritchie Blackmore.

Through the Marshall using a Gibson/Epiphone the sound goes into another dimension, it becomes very heavy, rich, and smooth.

This configuration is typical AC/DC/Thinn Lizzy and it is superb!

I would consider using a different overdrive pedal on the marshall pure;y for the strat as I am not entirely satisfied with the sound using the BB-2 on full drive. Maybe I will buy a second one and set it up differently.

I have a DOD YJM308 Yngwie Malmsteen on order which I intended for my strats through the Marshall, so look out for my review.

I have owned this pedal since late 1998 and I have not had any problems.

I called Marshall once about my 1959SLP 100W head and they were very helpful and knowledgable.

I would give this pedal an overall rating of 9 the 9% stands for its tone and sheer versatility. As you can tell from my review above, not all effects suit all kinds of amps. So the remaining 1% stands for the fact that although the sound through my Marshall is very good, it is not perfect to my ears.

4 knobs, easy to use if you are familiar with dist/ od/ boost. easy to get a good sound out of.

it's funny, but i've used this pedal through a variety of amps(i've tested it on ss vs tubes, etc... small/ big amps, you name it. it never fails to come thru with a good sound. honestly, i've used it hooked up to an ancient kustom pa type head with crappy speakers, and i still got a nice tone.
it has a nice spectrum. you can get all out metal on a overdriven amp, and i think the boost mode works very well.
true bypass as well.
i had the jackhammer before, and i think this is better in terms of versatility.

i've hammered nails in the apartment with it. i'm not kidding. solid metal casing. also, it seems to be resistant to scratching.

never dealt with em, except when i emailed them about a vox ri amp i had before , and they responded within 24 hrs. marshall/korg/vox all the same now.

this is a very underrated pedal. well suited for rock, metal, blues, anything. it's similar in some respects as a boss bd2 but has better overall useable amount of sounds.

Hey, it's a pedal. How hard can it be to use it? One small problem, though. When changing 'blues' to 'boost' a massive difference in sound level may appear.

Using it with Fender American Telecaster. A perfect match, so to say. I've got also Marshall's Supervibe but I use it really seldom. Oh and delay. Few of them, I love delays ;-)
It's probably one of the least noisy pedals I've ever heard. BB2 can produce a wide range of sounds, so you are really comfortable to choose a few of your fav settings. Sure one can make it sound crappy, but it needs a certain dose of talent ;-)
I use mostly Marshall Valvestate amps. Just a matter of sentiment, though.
I mostly play rock music, garage rock revival aso. BB2 loves that and I love it working for me. All in all - 10!

Totally relaible. Definitely would use it without a backup. It's a small tank.

No idea.

I'm using BB2 for like 5 years now and if it got lost, I'd surely go for another one. Unfortunately, one thing is missing with this pedal. It would be even better if one could change 'blues' to 'boost' mode while playing - using footswitch.

It's very easy and straightforward to use, with a helpful manual supplied. Not much to understand: a choice of either overdrive or a clean signal boost, with full true bypass. A double stomp switch may have been good, to change between drive and boost, because you have to reach down and flick it over.

I use this with different guitars, mostly an old Strat and a 335. It's pretty quiet and the true bypass makes it transparent when turned off.

The 'boost' setting is very useful if you have a pedalboard - it lifts the volume of your clean signal and compensates for the tone sucking of other chained together stomp-boxes. There is some colouration: your clean tone becomes slightly compressed, but play around with the settings and it's worth keeping on all the time. This is its main use for me, and the drive is just an added extra.

The drive tone is good, quite Marshally (surprise) - gritty, raunchy sound with as much gain as you would ever need for blues. Sounds a bit thick sometimes, slightly muffled and could do with some more upper register, but a powerful baby.

Looks pretty strong. The battery access is a bit awkward, but handled with reasonable care, can't imagine screwing it up.

I play mostly blues, rock, rnb, some jazz. I wanted it to give me a Marshall type sound, even using other amps, but obviously it is not an amp modeller as such. Used through a small Mesa-Boogie combo, the pedal sounds pretty much the same as the amp on 'contour', or crunch. So, the drive sound I could probably get from A.N Other pedal, but the clean boost is an imporatant part of my gear when using a pedalboard.

Simple, mode knob for selecting "Blues" (Overdrive) or "Boost" (Slightly gainy transparent boost), then you have the normal three knob setup for any drive stomper. Of course, when boost mode is selected the volume pot is the only control in use...basically giving you an MXR micro amp type gain boost pedal and a standard marshall overdrive pedal in one casing. Select the mode that you need, and set as desired for your application. Easy, very easy!!!

I only use the boost function but it is a very important part of my sound, i'll explain after i describe my setup...

My setup goes like this at the moment:
'69 and '72 Fender Thinline Telecasters, Boss TU-2 Tuner, Crybaby, Marshall BB-2, Ibanez TS-9, Boss BD-2, Marshall Vibratrem, Boss DD-3 Delay, Electro Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb all into a Vox AC30TB.

The BB-2 is the cheapest piece of equipment i use and i have tried to find a better quality item to replace it, but i cant find anything better for the job that it does for me.
As you can see i am very fortunate to use a telecaster and Vox AC30TB combination....the vox has an amazing natural overdrive when cranked, but the volume required to get this overdrive is far too much for indoor performances. BUT, when i set the volume of the Boost mode of the BB-2 just above that of my pristine vox clean sound, at gigging volume, the sound is axactly the same as the amp when cranked to the last, but at a reasonable volume. No loss of top or bottom just a clean breakup of the tubes at a managable volume....really sweet!!!
(Works like an MXR micro amp or boutique booster, but i cant justify paying so much when this is perfect and just as good as those units)

After this clean breakup i use the TS-9 for full-on overdrive and the BD-2 on top of that for leads. (The TS-9 and BD-2 sound much superior to the BB-2 for full drive sounds IMO)
I have all my overdrive needs covered from pristine cleans through three stages of overdrive to rip roaring leads, with phenominal tone throughout....unbelievable!!!
I wanted to buy a better quality booster for this purpose and after trying the good'ns i just went and bought a another BB-2 as a backup booster. In my opinion it is the best backup to have because it covers boost and drive functions if any of your overdrives let you down at any time.
For full overdrive sounds i find the TS-9 and BD-2 are better but for my clean breakup i wont be without the BB-2, Ever!!!
For Drive sounds (Blues mode) i'd give it a 7. For my purpose, as a booster in boost mode a definate 10.

Bought my first in late '98 after they first came out and it is still in perfect nik on my board. And when its cleaned up looks like new. Have one as a backup now since '02...never used....probably never will be, but its there if i need it. AAHHHH, peace of mind is a great thing in this business!!!

Never needed....wouldnt bother for a measly pedal. I would be a bit embarassed. The price of the phone call from ireland would probably buy me a new pedal!!!
Forget Marshall support unless you have an expensive valve amp still under warranty.

Boost Mode, a must have for me to replicate the clean breakup of my Vox at Workable volume levels. No loss or gain of EQ in any way for me. A volume control with just the right amount of pre determined gain. Excellent for dirty clean rhythms with vocals. Puts a beautiful sparkle on lightly played cleans and a nice growl when you dig in. A great band tool....not great for bedroom use in my opinion, there are much better drive boxes for bedroom rock star moments!!! Our band plays Pearl Jam / Radiohead / Jeff Buckley kinds of stuff and it is perfect.

Well, using this pedal is not really difficult. There's a selector for "Boost" an "Blues", a knob for "Drive", one for "Tone" and one for "Volume". Just put this thing on the amp, and you'll get a great tone out of it.

I use the pedal with a Hughes&Kettner 30W combo (I don't know the right name, I bought it from my guitar teacher) and an Epiphone Les Paul Custom 50th Anniversary Model.
I play (or better, try to play ;) ) Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, a bit of Lenny Kravitz and some Pink Floy songs. With the Distortion channel of my amp, these things didn't sound very good, but by using the pedal, it nearly sounds like one of those old Marshalls. When I play "Whole lotta love" with the pedal, it sounds just like the original.

Never dealt with Marshall

Well, it's a great pedal. It sounds great and it seems to be very solid.

4 Knobs - A selection switch for "Boost" (clear volume boost) or "Blues" (vintage overdrive) mode, Drive (amount of gain/distortion), Tone and Level controls.

Input & Ouptput jack, 9v input for mains power, LED for power indication and single footswitch.

HIDEOUSLY EASY TO USE! I got a great tone in 30 seconds! However, you make want to take a few minutes to familiarise yourself with the amount of sounds this little metal box can put out.

Switching between the two modes merely cuts out the gain and tone controls when the "Boost" mode is selected. Both modes are very easy to operate. Child's play.

My current rig:

Marshall JCM900 4500 Hi Gain Dual Reverb 50w tube head => Marshall 1960AV Vintage 30 4x12 speaker cab => BB-2 => Boss TU-2 Tuner => Gibson '61 Reissue SG with '57 Classic humbuckers.

I also run a two button channel/reverb switch as well as an Ibanez Phase Tone phaser and Pearl Flanger in the effects loop.

The BB-2 is a true bypass, so no noise at all, or at least none I can detect.

I bought this for the boost option - I play rhythm guitar in four-piece emo/dark rock band, but lately I've been playing a lot of solo riffs as our lead guitarist is vocalist as well and can't always nail singing and soloing. So I've taken on some riffs and wanted a good booster to cut through on the solo stuff. The BB-2 was mint, it allowed me to get a nice gain boost and my solo work was instnatly percievable.

However, the Blues option is just as good - it's effectively given my JCM900 a third channel. I had just previously had a fairly good (for a Marshall) clean channel and dirty channel which crunched up nicely.
There were times though when I needed a gain boost to grit up my clean without having to stop and up the preamp control. The Blues mode on the BB-2 came to the party. Now I have a nice "vintage" overdrive pedal to use on my clean. It's not as ballsy or in your face dark-rock crunch as my amp's B channel, but I didn't want that. The blues tone I have (Blues mode, Drive at 11.00, Tone at 2.00 and level at 3.00) gives me an oldschool "plexi" sound, very smooth and vintage. It's great!

It's very similar to the tone used by Clapton on "Layla" (original version), and with a bit of tweaking, I get a nice Zep and Sabbath sound as well.

The only downer I have is that the tone control doesn't ever get very bright - this is overall a quite dark-sounding pedal, but never muddy. However, it is voiced for a blues sound, which is generally not as bright as modern tones. For that, I can't fault it much.

Boost mode works well, possibly too well at times as it can overdrive an already cranked amp to the point of major feedback. I am looking into a noise gate to cut back on that in future.

Overall, a great sound, really gives my SG, a "classic-sounding" guitar a very nice vintage tone, but not at the expense of removing it from the modern range of sounds, if that makes sense. Havent' tried it with single coils, but my band's other guitarist has a Strat Plus we're going to try this week.

More solid than a Boss pedal - seriously! I don't know if I would gig without a backup, but I have a Boss BD-2 for that purpose.

N/A bought it second hand, haven't needed too.

Been playing for 7 years, mostly rock based stuff - been a fan of indie/emo and the alternative scene for the last few. This pedal is the money. It get a great oldschool sound, but you can crank it into modern territory with ease.

I've been looking for something like this for ages, and seriously, it's like having a another Marshall plugged into you guitar!

it's a stompbox... how hard can it be?

bossTU12->Marshall Guv'Nor(original)->Boss DS-1->BBII-> Boss PH3->Boss TR-2->Boss DD3-> Hughes&Kettner Duotone head w/H&K Quaddie.

I use different types of guitars, for different songs (all originals) and this pedal gets used A LOT. with a beefy, humbucker guitar, the BB2 belts out a bone-crunching, toppy drive, but plug it into a single coil guitar, it's mellow's out, while still keeping a HEAP of bright, top end (If that makes ANY sense) often used in conjuntion with my original guvnor, which gives an overdrive to blow your ears out...

this pedal has been on my pedalboard rig for about a year now, and it's gigged all over australia MANY times, and has been overseas a few times, and thus far haven't had a problem. love the true bypass in it!

haven't had to deal with marshall...

personally, i LOVE this pedal... even though it was given to me as an endorsment, i'd go and buy one. it suits anything. it can be bright and brittle, and real subtle, and then it can blow your head apart. I play a well-suited style of music to it's sound, (ie, The Vines, Jet, Muse) so i like a nice drive... highly reccomended.

I was just testing this pedal out for a brief time when I bought the Guv'Nor and didn't really fiddle around with the settings.

EXCELLENT!!!!! I would have bought this pedal if it weren't for the fact that I am broke and need the Guv'Nor for its well rounded distortion. But if you need to turn your amp into a blues beast get this!!!

I'm assuming its as good as the Guv'Nor (which is really good)

N/A

Its meant to play the blues and thats it. However it does a damned good job of making a nice blues tone so I will give it a 10 because it does exactly what it is supposed to do.

This pedal is very easy to use. Select blues or boost mode and off you go. The manual offers useful starting points for settings.

I was using this pedal with the following gear: An SG with Wilkinson humbuckers, a cheap strat copy with Kent Armstrong humbuckers, through a Boss TU-2 tuner and a Morley Power Wah into a Marshall DSL100 and 1960A cab.

I bought this pedal for the boost mode only, just to get some extra level and drive for solos. I was persuaded by the manufacturers claims of a "totally transparent / clean boost". Nothing could be further from the truth. The boost mode is truly awful: hopelessly distorted with a narrow frequency range. The distortion is not at all musical - like turning up a cheap solid state amp too loud. DO NOT under any circumstances buy this unit if you are looking for a clean boost.

The blues mode fairs no better; sounds more like an inferior Big Muff than a Tube Screamer or Boss Blues Driver. Stevie Ray? Forget it, Steve Malkmus more like. Again the sound lacks space, narrow frequency range, totally masking the sound of your guitar. So, you could say it makes my Encore Strat sound like a Custom Shop Strat - nobody could tell the difference with such a muffled sound.

The pedal does have a true bypass, but this is pretty useless when it sounds so bad.

I took the BB-2 back to the shop the day after I bought it.

Never had to deal with Marshall. I've heard they're good though.

This pedal is bloody awful. If you want a clean boost, buy an MXR Micro Amp. If you want a bluesy tube overdrive, try a Boss Blues Driver, or even better, a modded one from Robert Keeley. I was really disappointed with this thing - doesn't deserve to bear the Marshall name.