I'm back! Boss TR-2 Review

[severinsteel]

I’m back! Sorry for the break guys, but I needed a bit of time to recharge. Fortunately, I’m back ready to rock and roll, and excited about finishing up the entire Boss compact lineup.

The Boss TR-2 has the distinction of being one of the very first Boss pedals I purchased (the TU-2 has the distinction of being the very first). I remember buying it used at a local music store. I’ve bought and sold a few TR-2’s, and even sent my original TR-2 to Keeley to get it modded. I still have the Keeley one, and I just recently bought this un-modded one to review.

The TR-2 is probably one of Boss’s best pedals. It’s very well known for sounding great right out of the box. It rivals any other tremolo pedal I’ve ever tried, granted, I’m not a tremolo pedal guru or anything. From what I can gather, the TR-2 replaced the Boss PN-2 Tremolo/ Pan. The PN-2 differs from the TR-2 in that it has stereo inputs and outputs, plus a Mode switch instead of the Wave knob. The TR-2 being the more ‘vintage’ of the two pedals.

One of the complaints about the TR-2 that I’ve read, is an apparent volume drop when engaged. This was addressed by Keeley by added a separate volume knob, and by Boss at some point as well. I believe my pedal was made after the fix, so it sounds pretty even to the bypassed sound when engaged.

The controls on the TR-2 are Speed, Wave, and Depth. They are all self explanatory, except for the Wave knob. Essentially, the Wave knob controls the type of tremolo effect. To the left, you get a softer subtle tremolo. To the right, the tremolo is more apparent and aggressive.

Overall, I do like the TR-2. It’s a modern classic, and you will find it on pedalboards everywhere. Like I mentioned before, the volume drop was fixed by Boss. At around $50 on the used market, there really is no reason not to own one.


-Cameron Johnson

Music by Atma Weapon
atmaweaponnc.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/atmaweaponnc

 

[blackba]

I'd to have a tr2, it was one of my first pedals too. Always struggled a bit to get it to match the tempo of the song. I now have a byoc tremolo which I don't use much, but to me it's not as versatile as the tr2, but sounds more organic.

Curious your thoughts on the new boss waza amp. Are you getting one?

 

[severinsteel]

I'd to have a tr2, it was one of my first pedals too. Always struggled a bit to get it to match the tempo of the song. I now have a byoc tremolo which I don't use much, but to me it's not as versatile as the tr2, but sounds more organic.

Curious your thoughts on the new boss waza amp. Are you getting one?

When I first saw it, I thought it looked terrible. But, there seems to be some positive buzz around it. I won't buy one, but I'd love to try one. If only Boss would send me one .

 

[Oblivion DC]

Pretty cool!
Two questions: 1 - could I use the TR2 to get that really aggressive staccato sound as in Tribal Convictions (old Voi-Vod) and, 2 - what difference would I hear running this in front of the amp or in the effects loop?

 

[severinsteel]

Pretty cool!
Two questions: 1 - could I use the TR2 to get that really aggressive staccato sound as in Tribal Convictions (old Voi-Vod) and, 2 - what difference would I hear running this in front of the amp or in the effects loop?

For super aggressive staccato with distorted tones, definitely run it through the loop (assuming you are using your amps distortion). In other words, make sure the trem is after the distortion in the chain. I should have done that in my demo.

 

[Oblivion DC]

Pretty cool!
Two questions: 1 - could I use the TR2 to get that really aggressive staccato sound as in Tribal Convictions (old Voi-Vod) and, 2 - what difference would I hear running this in front of the amp or in the effects loop?

For super aggressive staccato with distorted tones, definitely run it through the loop (assuming you are using your amps distortion). In other words, make sure the trem is after the distortion in the chain. I should have done that in my demo.

Thanks duder!