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Marshall Bluesbreaker II BB-2
List: $100
This isn’t the original Bluesbreaker offering by Marshall, in fact, the first incarnation was a black stomp box which acquired its influences from its 1960s non-master volume amplifier counterpart, aptly nicknamed the Bluesbreaker. It is from this understanding that we acknowledge the Bluesbreaker II’s drive nature- moderate crunch aimed at the blues/ rock proponents.
Construction/ features
Applause to the manufacturer for down-sizing the BB to the sleek, aerodynamic/ ergonomic incarnation it is today. The pedal’s singe button footswitch, 4-control knobs, recessed control panel & an underside battery compartment are common features in this series. The rubberized base surround ensures enough grip for the pedal board-less among us. While the knobs here are fully grooved to promote grip, it is rather ironic that they are rather stiff in operation. The BB-II’s battery hatch is also screw fastened, requiring the use of a flat head screw driver for its removal. In absence of this tool, one can also rely on a coin as a make-shift device.
The highlight here is the pedal’s dual mode which is activated by the left hand-most knob; it is either a booster or a crunchy overdrive at your behest. The BB-II has a massive steel housing; it’s definitely not to be handled by the frail.
Rating: 80%
Tone/ in use
Do not expect an intense drive coming from the BB-II’s BLUES mode as the label suggests. The drive here would appease the blues mongers but not exclusively. What you get is a raunchy drive sufficient to further your single coil twang adventure with harmonics to boot. In use with a humbucking guitar, the BB-II favours an inherently bass inclined unit with the pedal’s TONE control set at the halfway mark.
In BOOST mode, the BB-II is a clean booster but at upper drive levels, it is able to break up your clean channel provided the volume there isn’t restrained.
The TONE sweep possesses a healthy coverage; nothing too excessive in any frequencies. The VOLUME counterpart on the contrary, is able to enhance drive in its maximum application but it is dependent on your amp’s volume levels- the higher it is, the more drive enhancement coming from the BB-II’s volume input.
Tone test equipment:
• Guitars: LTD M-50/ Fender ST-72/ Ibanez RG321/ Gibson SG Special/ Edwards E-LP85SD/P
• Amps: Marshall JVM/ MG15 MSII/ Ibanez ValBee
Rating: 80%
Last say
It’s definitely a value-for-money unit in light of the dual function provided by the pedal at this asking price. This pedal is recommended for players in search of worthy competitors to the Ibanez Tubescreamer as well as BOSS’ Blues Driver. The overall voicing coming from the BB-II has enough edge to rival these two strongholds in the crunch turf.
It would be favourable for Marshall to further integrate a footswitch option for the player to toggle between the twin functions on offer. How practical would it be to bend down in the midst of a performance to switch modes without inviting potential fumbling?
Oh, does one hear a Marshall Bluesbreaker amp coming from this one? This reviewer would say it’s a very good emulation but mind you, this is a pedal after all, not an amplifier.
Overall rating: 80%
Likes:
• 2-in-1 offering
• Price
• Idiot-proof
Dislikes:
• Heavy
• No footswitch option
• Battery access (requires screw removal)
• Stiff knobs
Worthy competitors:
• Ibanez TS9
• Maxxon OD-9
• BOSS Blues Driver
• Digitech Screamin' Blues
• Artec Blues Overdrive
• Behringer Blues Overdrive
