I see that F Pena's got a Bluesbreaker circuit and pcb over at Tonepad.com    

Is the bluesbreaker significantly different to the various Tubescreamers sound-wise?  How?
(I already have a tube-sound fuzz(CD4049), TS9, TS7, MXR Distortion+, FuzzFace, Easyface and VoodooDrive (Oops, almost forgot Odie and the Blackfire!).  I was thinking of building a Big Muff Pi next, but then I saw this...Hmmm....Choices, choices...)

Marshall Blues breaker.
 The consensus was Limp and decided it din't do that much.
 Gess it takes the right amp...actually I thought it was a little cool..never really used it that much...yer basic er not so basic DIY results may vary...widely I understand...sockets are what was missing maybe...
  I got this DIY tubescreamer does the booster/slight OD thing real nice and pushes the FF to slice highs and produce cool harmonics.
 Neve tried a BB clone....[dunno is the schematicorrected?] Anything like the Orig's not that dirty. Get some fine parts in thar an tweek' tho betcha could get some coolness hapnin'...bein' all laid back and werkin' with the fiercer 'others'.
 Almost like er Drivey Compression

Quote from: petemooreMarshall Blues breaker.
 The consensus was Limp and decided it din't do that much.
 

I don't agree with that. I've breadboarded the BB and thought it sounded pretty fine. I've tried the guvnor too and I think in general the marshall opamp-based stuff can sound slightly thin in the bass, but the distortion sounds are real good. I drove my amp with the BB as a booster and got into metal territory too. I think the BB does the medium gain blues thing pretty well. Here's a tip, though: If you build one, try installing a small treble-leak cap on the gain pot, if I remember, on the two lugs that make up the series resistance into the 2nd opamp stage. This will help it retain clarity when you turn the gain down, and make those lower gain sounds more useable. Without it, IMO, it sounded a little dull in the lower gain territory.

Never tried a TS9, suppose I should someday (aww..ma... do I -have- too?;-)) Actually I have tried the boss sd-1. But between that and the TS clips I've heard, I'm just not impressed. Not inspired enough to fool with it yet anyway...


Doug

I disagree with petemoore too.  I think it's an excellent effect, it really shines with guitar set on bridge pickup (typical for blues).  You can't get that sound with a TS.

JD

I compared an TS9 against a BB 2 and much preferred the BB 2 infact I bought the BB 2 (but I'm as dumb as a rock anyway).

Through a Fender valve and using a recent US Tele to me the TS9 was totally out classed.

The BB2 seemed to give more boost if you want that (it even managed to give me some breakup on my horrible Line 6 amp).

On blues mode it went from a slight edge to rawk (sic) sounds.

Having had a very quick look inside the BB2 it's pretty different to the Marshall BB (both an opamp and leds are on the board).

However due to the reasonable price of 42 UKP, I am a little reticent to trace the whole thing.

Regards,

Rob...

The old Blues Breaker, as in the project on my site, is somewhat similar sound to the Boss BD-2 on some settings.  Both have a very good blues sound.  Both are better than any stock TS (IMHO)

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/v2/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=60&op=page&SubMenu=

We don't talk much about Boss pedals here, but IMHO, most, if not all Boss pedals are exceptional if not incredible, even stock.  And some with some simple upgrade mods are incredible, at a price and availability that makes cloning one a pretty silly idea for the most part.  Especially since most are fairly easily "mod-able'.  

I bought a PS-5 at ebay a few weeks ago, wow, what a cool effect  

JD

Cloning a Boss effect seems silly to me aswell. Considering the time that goes into cloning one, and the effort and work, you might as well buy a pedal used for what, $90?

To quote aron in his FAQ: "There is a coolness factor that is the brand name alone."

Boss pedals are Boss pedals. And they're always excellent.