Boss SL-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 52 mentions across 15 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 52 mentions across 15 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a compact, MIDI-syncable rhythmic effect for guitar or synth
  • You loved the original SL-20 and want a smaller footprint without losing the core sound
  • You enjoy experimental, pattern-based creative tools for production or live looping

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You relied on the SL-20's built-in looper for creative workflow
  • You dislike tremolo-style pulsating effects or need deep custom pattern editing
  • You want simple preset recall without digging through unlabeled pattern numbers

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Boss SL-2
MIDI sync and controlHighly creative and inspiringGreat for synths and guitar alikeMissing built-in looperNiche appeal, easy to abandonLimited custom pattern creation
Boss SL-2
MIDI sync and control
Highly creative and inspiring
Great for synths and guitar alike
Missing built-in looper
Niche appeal, easy to abandon
Limited custom pattern creation

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A deeply creative, versatile effect that goes beyond guitar. Multiple commenters describe the SL-2 as functioning like an arpeggiator, tremolo, filter, and pitch shifter all in one, appealing strongly to synth users as much as guitarists. Reviewers highlight its stereo I/O, MIDI sync with drum machines and loopers, and tap tempo as standout features that let it lock into a band or production rhythmically, making it far more than a novelty gimmick for many owners.

Compact reissue wins over longtime SL-20 fans, with caveats. Former SL-20 users are excited about the smaller footprint, MIDI control, and USB pattern loading, calling it the perfect replacement for the bulky original. However, several note real losses: no built-in looper, no way to create custom patterns from scratch, confusing LED behavior inconsistent with other Boss pedals, and no screen to identify which of the many similar-sounding patterns is loaded.

Polarizing among guitarists who don't already like tremolo/glitch effects. Some commenters admit they bought it on impulse or curiosity and found it addictive, spending hours experimenting and generating song ideas instantly. Others, including a self-described big Boss fan owning many pedals, say they simply dislike tremolo-type pulsating sounds and find the SL-2 unplayable for their genre, while a few worry it's too niche to justify pedalboard space for occasional use.

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