Maxon BD-02 Bass Driver

This is an easy pedal to use although it is quite versatile. There are four knobs which are labeled with easy to understand terms: drive (soft-hard), level,tone (warm-clean), and depth (light-deep). This pedal is made in Japan and the terms aren't what an US manufacturer would probably use but they make sense. My only issue is that the knobs turn very easily so once you get the sound you want its easy to move them accidentally. I just need to get a grease pencil on it.

The setup I'm using this pedal with consists of my bass (a 5 string Dingwall) to a Boss EQ, then the Maxon, and to an Aphex 1404 compressor. This feeds my GK 1001 rbII which powers an old Ampeg 2x15 cab with Altec Lansing speakers. Believe it or not this setup is quite good. The tone is clear and punchy and goes deep. I leave the Maxon on almost all the time and it helps bring out the progressive/ percussive Geddy/ Entwistle style I have. When I let up on it it smooths out nice and open with alot of character. Really helps cut through the Marshalls and double bass in my band. The depth control adds a nice tube like warmth to the note and brings the bass into the mix. I have compared this pedal to only a few others and have found it to be by far the most useful. It is way better for a defined and organic tone than the boss bass OD and is way more controlled and cutting than the Zvex wooly mammoth (but that's a totally different beast).

This pedal is probably from the mid 80's to early nineties. It does not look like an old Maxon but more like a boss. It's dark blue and shows minimal wear. The case is made of thick extruded aluminum and can take a beating. The unit is solid but since I have only had it a couple of months I can't be sure if the switch or anything else might have issues. This pedal is made in Japan so it is undoubtedly a masterpiece of technology. I am never going to find a backup for it anyway and if I did I probably wouldn't buy it because I'm a Scottish and I'm M.F. cheap!

I have no idea but Maxon has been around a long time and they're still making great friddertyjudtlyskrewquio.

Guys, there are alot of bass drivers out in the world these days. For me they are all like flowers. Some are pretty and some smell great. Some make you hallucinate. I look for those. This pedal does that for me and... I don't know... maybe there are others out there that would also but this one just fell into my hands at the right price and it works. In fact it's lovely. I don't think that I'm going to look for another overdrive any time soon.