Boss JB-2 Angry Driver

Boss JB-2 Angry Driver - compact overdrive effect pedal for electric guitar, created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of BOSS compact pedals, BOSS and JHS Pedals have come together in a historic creative collaboration of two industry leaders. Housed in the classic BOSS compact design, the JB-2 Angry Driver combines the tones of the iconic BOSS BD-2 Blue Driver with the popular Angry Charlie from JHS Pedals. Working closely together, the two pedal innovators developed an entirely new circuit with a refined sound and performance, perfectly tuned for dual-mode drive operation.

The JB-2 Angry Driver features three dual concentric knobs that provide independent control of drive, tone, and level for each type of overdrive. Through a six-position mode selector, you can use each overdrive independently or combine them in series and parallel configurations. With the ability to blend the highly expressive low-to-mid gain tones of the Blues Driver pedal with the aggressive rock voice of Angry Charlie in any combination, the JB-2 Angry Driver offers an unmatched range and versatility from a single overdrive pedal.

Main features:

• New overdrive pedal with a massive range of tones, developed together by BOSS and JHS pedals
• Combines the voices of BOSS's BD-2 Blues Driver and JHS Pedals' Angry Charlie
• Three dual concentric knobs provide independent control, drive, tone, and level control for each overdrive type
• Mode selector for choosing individual types of overdrive, two connections for stacking or parallel connection for new sounds
• Also includes a mode switch between BOSS and JHS overdrives with the built-in footswitch
• Remote switching jacks for controlling the pedal modes and bypass from a footswitch or effects switching system
• Multi-colour LED indicator shows BOSS mode (blue), JHS mode (red), and both together (purple)

The idea to develop the JB-2 pedal was born from the friendship between BOSS president Yoshi Ikegami and JHS Pedals founder Josh Scott and their shared passion for innovative pedal design. The Blues Driver has long been a favourite pedal for Josh, and he credits it for inspiring him to design his own pedals and start his own company. "I got into the world of pedals because, as a guitarist, I used two Blues Drivers together for years and years. One day, one of them broke. I opened it up and realised it was just a simple soldering solution. It really sparked my curiosity and changed my life, and JHS pedals came out of the repair of that pedal."

Yoshi and Josh regularly visit each other at the annual NAMM shows and have discussed the idea of collaboration several times. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the introduction of compact design pedals in 2017, Yoshi felt it was time to develop a new pedal together. "In the 40 years of history of the BOSS compact pedal, this is a beginning," said Yoshi. "I think it's wonderful that two companies have collaborated based on mutual respect for each other."

"We are very excited to collaborate with BOSS, one of our heroes, for the JB-2," says Josh. "I've been saying for years that BOSS pedals are my favourite pedals. For JHS to be part of the story of what BOSS has done for 40 years is a true honour and far beyond anything I could have ever imagined."

With the two types of drive, dual-concentric knobs, and six modes, the JB-2 covers an enormous range of drive sounds in a single pedal. The Blues Driver is the low end of the gain, carrying everything from boost to overdrive, while Angry Charlie carries a medium-high overdrive to distortion.

The six-position mode selector offers flexibility for using the overdrives in numerous creative ways, from individual operation to stacking in series and even parallel. In series mode, one overdrive works as a booster for the other, while in parallel mode, the character of the overdrive changes expressively in response to the picking tone. A jack socket for remote control further extends the pedal's versatility, allowing control from an external footswitch or switching pedal.

"In this small format, you get this amazing switching system, which is out of this world with series and parallel," reports Josh. "You have six controls for two pedals, but the six controls in parallel become six controls for a single new pedal, and that is very, very cool. So you have the Angry Charlie that people know and that Blues Driver that people know. But when you put them together, the six controls interact, and there are hundreds of sounds. I think it's a fantastic product."

After discussing a number of ideas, BOSS and JHS Pedals ultimately felt that combining the Blues Driver and Angry Charlie would be the ideal match.

"When this plan came about, we used the ES-8 switching system to try numerous pedal combinations with JHS Angry Charlie," reports Yoshi. "We thought a combination that allowed each pedal to complement each other would be interesting to try. Angry Charlie's sound is exactly what BOSS didn't have."

"It overlaps wonderfully with the Blues Driver," adds Josh. "What’s great about the Blues Driver is that it covers phenomenal low gain, with a very good boost, thus accentuating what Angry Charlie is. Angry Charlie is always edgy, so the Blues Driver helps to calm it down and do different things.

"Experiencing working on a product with a company that has done this so well for so long has been truly inspiring," continues Josh. "It's amazing to see such talented people who love what they do. Josh is very pleased with how the JB-2 turned out, saying, "I am 150% satisfied. I love it."

"For several years, we have continued to tackle new challenges with the keyword 'Breakthrough'," said Yoshi. "I think it is very refreshing and challenging for our engineers' thinking to work with such a growing company and to be inspired."

Technical specifications:

• Nominal input level: -20 dBu
• Input impedance: 1 M ohm
• Nominal output level: -20 dBu
• Output impedance: 1 k ohm
• Recommended load impedance: 10 k ohms or greater
• Controls: MODE potentiometer, DRIVE potentiometer, TONE potentiometer, LEVEL potentiometer
• Indicator: CHECK (also serves as battery level indicator)
• Connectors: INPUT jack, OUTPUT jack, REMOTE jack, AC power jack (DC 9 V)
• Power:
  • Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61) or Carbon-zinc battery (9 V, 6F22)
  • PSA AC power supply (sold separately)
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 73 x 129 x 59 mm
• Weight: 0.44 kg