Review: Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

This is the Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner Pedal.

Just to be clear, I'm old school. A big proponent of analog equipment, I never thought I would be converted to using a digital tuner. I've been using a Boss TU-6 Stage Tuner (analog) for the last eight years - something about the little needle makes it seem like it has to be more accurate than any digital tuner could ever be. How wrong was I!

A few years ago, I had a Matrix 3000 digital tuner pedal, and it gave me nothing but grief, until I sold it for $60, which was actually a $20 profit for me. Ever since, I've been told repeatedly that the TU-2 is the pedal that would change my mind. Now that I have one, I thoroughly regret switching every string manually like a chump on my TU-6 for so many years.

This is a fantastic pedal! I can't stress that enough. To quote Ferris Bueller, "if you have the means, I highly suggest picking one up". The Boss TU-2 definitely joins the Ibanez Tube Screamer on my must-have list.

Price Range:
$50-75

Highs:
-Sturdy Boss construction
-bright, easy to read LEDs
-Bypass output
-DC power output (can power another pedal)

Lows:
-None

Rating: 10/10

New Score: 1983 Boss DS-1 Distortion

It sounds as dirty as it looks - and as beautiful! I've been told for years that there is no contest between the original Boss DS-1 Distortion pedals made in Japan before 1988 and the ones made in Taiwan thereafter. Now I know for sure. I was fortunate enough to pick this one up at a pawn shop for $35, a very reasonable price, considering they run upwards of $180 on Ebay on a regular basis. Like most pedals from this era, it is not in the best shape cosmetically (dirty, paint-chipped, and a nice hole drilled through the back of the case), but it is fully functional, and sounds like a million bucks.

Made in 1983, this is not the first issue of the DS-1, which had silver screws, a silver thumb-screw to open the battery compartment, and a longer dash in between the 'S' and the '1', putting the 'D' underneath the 't' in Distortion, instead of the 'i'. This one has black screws, a black label, and a black thumb-screw. However, this version of the pedal uses the same Toshiba TA7136AP op-amp as the earlier versions, and, besides the appearance, is identical to the silver screw version.

So far, I've only had a chance to try this baby on a little 1-watt Fender Mini Deluxe, but I figure if it sounds good running through that (and it does, believe me!), it should sound awesome when I plug it into a real amplifier. I can't wait!

Review: Boss DM-1 Delay Machine

This is the Boss DM-1 Delay Machine! The very first Boss Delay pedal, the DM-1 came on the market in the 1970s, and is still considered by some to be the best sounding analog delay pedal out there. The DM-1 is the predecessor to the famous DM-2 Delay, another staple among analog enthusiasts.

What can I say? This pedal lives up to the hype. Like most pedals of this vintage, the analog circuitry is a touch noisy, but a little noise is OK, and there are many post-production tools that can eliminate it after the fact.

I have tried many analog Delay pedals, including the MXR Analog Delay, Boss DM-2, and Ibanez AD9 (this is the one I use now), and the DM-1 sounds at least as good as any other. Capable of producing a range of effects, from simple slap-back delay to full-blown repeating delay (max. 300ms), the Delay Machine does exactly what you want it to.

However, there are some things that stand in between the Delay Machine and everyday use. First of all, they are super-rare and super-expensive; this makes getting one a lot more difficult than some (maybe all) delays. Secondly, the pedal is HUGE, about 6"x10", and has a built-in grounded power cable resembling the one on a refrigerator. Finally, the pedal is a little touchy because of its age; the pots require regular cleaning, and I can't help but worry that it might just give up the ghost one day. Because of these issues, I would recommend the DM-1 for studio use before I would use it live.

The sound: Warm, warm, warm. The DM-1 uses the Reticon R5101chip at the heart of its circuit, and this (now discontinued) CCD processes the signal into 'bins' to simulate analog conversion, and allow the circuit to be manipulated to produce the delay effect. The DM-2 and the famous "green" MXR Analog Delay also use this processor, with a similar effect.

Verdict: AWESOME! If you have one, congrats! And if you don't - allow me to recommend the Ibanez AD9 or the Boss DM-2, both of which have similar features, a similar sound, and are a lot easier to get.

Price Range:
$400-600 depending on condition/modifications

Highs:
-Great warm analog sound
-Simple controls
-Very solid construction

Lows:
-Price
-A little noisy
-Limited delay time
-Too big for a pedal board

Rating: 7/10

Boss DM-1 Delay Machine

Click Here for a Review of this Pedal