Boss TR-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 39 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 39 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a simple, reliably built tremolo that holds up on tour and live boards
  • You value clear pick attack and a musical wave shape control over flashy features
  • You're fine buying used or applying a known mod to address the volume drop

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a wide modulation sweep or built-in volume/mix control out of the box
  • Tone-suck or slight volume drop when engaged is a dealbreaker for you
  • You require true bypass switching without modding the pedal

What users complain about

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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
31Budget
Boss TR-2
Versatile wave shape and depth controlReliable and durable buildSimple, easy to dial inVolume drop when engagedLacks advanced features found elsewhereTone suck / sucks tone
Boss TR-2
Versatile wave shape and depth control
Reliable and durable build
Simple, easy to dial in
Volume drop when engaged
Lacks advanced features found elsewhere
Tone suck / sucks tone

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Reliable, gig-proven tremolo that many players keep coming back to. Multiple long-time owners describe the TR-2 as indestructible and dependable through decades of touring and gigging, always doing the job without drama. It's praised for cutting through a live mix better than other trems and preserving pick attack on every note, which some call rare among tremolo pedals. Several commenters say they tried boutique alternatives but returned to or stuck with the TR-2 because nothing else felt as musically reliable.

The wave shape and depth controls let it go from subtle shimmer to aggressive choppy trem. Users highlight the wave shape knob as a standout feature, letting them dial in gentle amp-like pulsing for chords or full square-wave choppy effects for more dramatic tones. Some pair it creatively with phasers or overdrives for ambient textures. This flexibility within just three knobs is repeatedly called out as surprisingly musical and easy to dial in, even for players new to tremolo.

Volume drop and mild tone suck remain the pedal's most persistent criticism. Many commenters, including long-time owners, report a noticeable volume or tone drop when the effect is engaged, some boosting signal to compensate. Boss revised the circuit over the years to reduce this, and enthusiasts point to aftermarket mods (Analogman, Fromel kit, C4 capacitor snip) as effective fixes. A few users say the drop doesn't bother them or is easily managed with guitar volume controls.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?