Overall User Ratings (based on 56 ratings)
  • Overall:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
(56) (see rating details)
Submitted October 18, 2006 by a customer from blueyonder.co.uk

"Classic rock in a box"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I have had this pedal a while, and it has been in and out of my rig over that time. I would not use it as my exclusive overdrive pedal, cos it's not very versatile. I use it at the moment specifically for a growly, classic rock sound.
Sound
I use this pedal in conjunction with a Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, which is a more versatile unit. The Marshall gives me fuller, dirtier, higher-gain with that characteristic rough-textured tone. I use it for a straight-out rock sound. A Marshall sound! It is not the same as having a 'Marshall Stack in a pedal', but it does give an approximation of it, if you don't use Marshall amps - I use Fenders and Boogies. It colours your tone, even on the 'Clean Boost' setting, but that's the whole point. It's not particularly subtle and if you don't like a Marshall tone, then you won't like this pedal.
Features
You can use the clean boost setting to drive your pedals a little more, especially if you have a few in the chain. It would be much better with two switches, so you don't have to reach down and flip it over manually.
Ease of Use
Very easy - see above comments.
Quality
Seems very tough, solid metal casing. I would rely on it, very little that could go wrong.
Value
Value is highly subjective, but it is a very good price. They're cheap. If you like its characteristic tone, then it is good value.
Manufacturer Support
Never dealt with the company on this particular product, but if you live in the UK, Marshall after-sales is second to none. You can make an appointment to take your amp to their HQ in Bletchley and they will fix and rebuild it for you, for the price of the parts only.
The Wow Factor
It's not a particularly appealing product in itself. I don't especially like the way it looks. Kinda retro, but not in a cool way. It's just a tool, not a fashion accessory.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

rock, blues, country
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Submitted November 6, 2007 by a customer from gmail.com

"NOT BAD... (Interesting BOOST)"

Overall: 2 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I'm always buying pedals... I'll keep this and maybe one day give away to a good young player who likes it and needs it...
Sound
This BB-2 is not even the shadow of the original black cased "blues breaker pedal" (if you can get one, stop reading and go get it!!!... Nevertheless is a good fighter in its own league... It is waaay better than, lets say, a BOSS BD-2 (nicer design, more control, boost function intended to push valve amps, etc.)'cause it delivers clearer & more defined chords, and... well...not much more... This pedal goes crazy and just can't give you a mild blues sound with a humbucker p/upin front of it... Anyway, it works for great for heavier sounds... You - youngsters-have to realize that a pedal like VoodooLab or Barber "will be twice the price", but they give you much more than,let's say, a BOSS BD-2 which is a ridicuosly overrated unit... It's like everyone is hypnotized and do not realize about how much it sucks... In the economic league there are alternatives like Digitech (yep,Digitech) Bad Monkey (40 bucks) or BBR "Green Screamer" (99 bucks)... They both are great,and years ahead of ibanez and BOSS...
Features
4 Knobs is OK...Little EQ range...
Ease of Use
It goes wild with the drive control at 2...It should be called "The Jimy Hendrix Blues Pedal"...
Quality
One of the more robust pedal i've seen in 30+ years...Nice but not logical design (you have to go real near to see the little markers,pots are too close from each other.etcetera...
Value
The value it's fine... You get a pedal for a life and maybe you are lucky to find how to ilk its best...
Manufacturer Support
I do not have any experience...
The Wow Factor
I already said it is very appealing... Nothing to compare with BD-2 and such (DOD)... Just the Bad Monkey is as strong and a better OD... The BBE might the the best of those three but it is ugly looking...

Musical Background:

40 years playing...

Musical Style:

nice guitar music...
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Submitted July 22, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Get the Guv'nor instead... read the review..."

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Buy a Guv'nor. You can get the same sounds and heavy stuff also. I mean, The BluesBraker was made just to give money to those who invented it. The Guv'nor Can do the same thing easyly and it is much more pedal than the BluesBraker... I play Blues, and I rather the Guv'nor...Happy??
Sound
Well, this is a subjective point. I like it, but I use a Mahogany Stratocaster and a Bassman. So, what can I say, maybe it is not the same for those who got a Gorila 10" amp... What I mean is that the sound depends on the gear you use.
Features
It's got the esencial, that is why I dont give a 10. Besides, it is above the average, so,... Well, the boost option, which is the one I really use, and the Blues option... Tone control, gain control an volume...
Quality
The best made pedals ever... Marshall... I have not tryed a ElectroHarmonix yet, but the marshall affects are well built and their appeal is nice.
Value
a little bit over priced.
Manufacturer Support
Have not dealt with Marshall...
The Wow Factor
I could've waited to try something different, but I'm happy with it.

Musical Style:

Alternative, Rock, Jazz
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