01—Pedal catalog
Boss BD-2W Blues Driver (Waza Craft)
The classic dynamic blues overdrive — the pedal John Mayer used on Continuum-era tours.
The Waza version is the only one to buy. Custom mode fixes the BD-2's only real weakness (flubby low end). Cheaper than most boutique overdrives and as good.
02—On the bench
Boss's Waza Craft revision of the BD-2 Blues Driver — the late-1990s low-gain overdrive that became a session standard for its transparent, dynamic, slightly mid-forward voice. The Waza version adds a 'Custom' mode that opens up the low end, increases the available gain, and adds a more articulate top end. Standard mode is the original 1990s BD-2 circuit, untouched. Where a Tube Screamer humps the mids, the Blues Driver leaves the EQ mostly alone and just adds gain — more like a cranked amp than a colored pedal. Used by John Mayer on early tours and by indie players who wanted a single drive that does everything.
- 01more dynamic than a Tube Screamer
- 02Custom mode adds low-end punch without flubbing
- 03cleans up well off the guitar volume
- 04stack-friendly as either pre or post boost
- 05Standard mode is the actual 1995 BD-2 circuit
03—Power
What it takes to run the BD-2W Blues Driver (Waza Craft).
18mA at 9V
Low draw. Any standard 100mA isolated jack carries it with room to spare.
Typical published draw. Check the label on your unit for its voltage and polarity before you plug in.
- Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 PLUS →jacks 1-4 · 100mA
- Truetone 1 SPOT Pro CS6 →jacks 3-4 · 100mA
- Truetone 1 SPOT Pro CS12 →jacks 3-6 · 100mA
04—In the room
Where else this pedal lives.
- John Mayer
- Jonny Lang
- Robert Cray
- Mike McCready
JHS Morning Glory if you want even more transparency; BD-2W if you want some midrange shape.