BossTone vs Steel Driver II

Doug Jones · Post by **Doug Jones** » 14 Feb 2000 10:31 pm

Which fuzztone do you prefer; the good old BossTone or the Steel Driver II and why. Also does the SD-II include the Matchbox circuitry? Thanks - DJ -

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 15 Feb 2000 5:37 am

Since going rack mount I don't use either at the moment, but when I did I liked the Steel Driver II's distortion better. It is easier to control and has more varieties of sounds.

Dave Frye · Post by **Dave Frye** » 15 Feb 2000 9:02 am

I allways liked the old "Bosstone" for the old time fuzz. I have a friend who has a "Steeldriver" and he threatens to steel my fuzz! Old time stuff works for me. Just like a Fender Twin hotrodded for me but it was HEAVY. Dave Frye ShoBud S12 Ext E9th

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Mike Bagwell · Post by **Mike Bagwell** » 15 Feb 2000 5:55 pm

Im pretty sure its the same curcuit.I had a friend build me a box with just the Fuzz part of a Steel Driver, for use with a lap steel. I lent him one of my units so he could make a schematic of it. When he was finished he told me that it was identical to the boss tone, but it runs on 18 volts. He thought that the differences in tone was probably due to the different transistor brands and the operating voltage.
For what its worth I own a boss tone but prefer the Steel Driver version.

Mike

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 16 Feb 2000 12:50 am

I always felt that they both sounded pretty cheezy. Hard-edged transistor clipping is not my idea of a good distortion sound.

I'm moving this topic to the Electronics area, where it belongs.

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Bobby Lee

www.b0b.com/products
Sierra Session S-12 E9th, Speedy West D-10, Sierra S-8 Lap

Jeff Heard · Post by **Jeff Heard** » 16 Feb 2000 4:19 am

I haven't used a Bosstone. I have a Steeldriver II, and the distortion feature on it is not very good. It's very noisy (lots of hiss) and not smooth like tube distortion. It is convenient to use, though, especially if you only use distortion on a tune or two throughout a gig (one less box to hook up and carry around!)

Garry Pugh · Post by **Garry Pugh** » 17 Feb 2000 7:51 pm

I have an original BossTone and it's the only overdrive, I have used, which sounds good with PSG. It makes a difference what type body your steel is. IMO a wooden body has a much more appealing overdrive sound.