Are Boss pedals "old hat"?

Roysterdoyster

When I started playing 30 odd yrs ago,Boss were "thee" pedals to have. Having got back into effects recently after a long long absence I see pedal boards overflowing with virtually everything (most of which Id never heard of) except Boss. So are they considered a bit naff now? I have a few and I like them enough,as I dont really know any better,but Im curious. Plus they seem cheap compared to many. Am I missing out on a world of sounds that Boss wont give me?

joeyowen

There are so many more options than there was 30 years ago, so it looks a lot more diluted

Many pros still rely on Boss pedals (and others for sure).  The TU2/3 can be seen all the time.

robinbowes

Some people have nothing better to do than build huge, expensive boards containing all the latest "flavour of the month" pedals. If that's what you want to do, then fine. Otherwise, Boss make great, functional pedals. I'd be happy with a totally Boss pedalboard. That's not to say that there aren't better pedals out there, but I wouldn't say you're missing out.

english_bob

joeyowen said:

There are so many more options than there was 30 years ago

This, mostly. I think there's a perception that BOSS pedals are a bit "ordinary" compared to some of the weird and wonderful stuff out there. They're still very much the industry standard when it comes to making reliable, good sounding, sensibly priced stuff.

Lebarque

The Waza ones are particularly good

Winny_Pooh

Some new models are good like the Waza and re-issues. They do look boring and a bit dated though if you compare an all Strymon, Thorpy or EQD board to an all Boss board. 

UnclePsychosis

They're not naff, not at all. 

They do an excellent range in straightforward pedals at sensible prices. What they don't do is the weird/ambient/noisemaking thing that is very popular at the minute. Gnarly fuzzes, "out there" modulations, "what the actual hell is that" gliches, etc. 

If I was a gigging, touring musician who wanted a solid set of sounds in a compact, bombproof form factor then I could quite happily rock an all Boss pedalboard (the boss form factor and switching has never been bettered IMO---the only way to improve them would be with top jacks but I don't think that would work). As is, I'm a guy who likes making weird noises in my study so I (mostly) use other things. 

Roysterdoyster

Ah that's a relief. Was thinking Id have to "up my game" in the FX department to the detriment of my bank balance.

EricTheWeary

Two of the good things about Boss pedals are reliable footswitches and easy battery access.
Increasingly people use PSUs so the battery access isn't as much of an issue. You also have an increase in the use of true bypass loopers and switching systems ( at an amateur and semi pro level as much as pro) so less use of actual pedal footswitches. 
But, yes, you still see lots of them. There tends not to be as much love these days for their drives and people get those flavours elsewhere and there's an assumed bias against them as they aren't seen as much but they are industry standard stuff really. 

Paul_C

robinbowes said:

Some people have nothing better to do than build huge, expensive boards containing all the latest "flavour of the month" pedals. If that's what you want to do, then fine.

That feels a little harsh, if somewhat accurate

Fuengi

My pedal board is ambient flavoured but I still have 4 boss pedals on it - TU-2 / TE-2 / RV-6 / RC-3 - all very good at what they do and affordable.

I was considering selling the RV-6 having just picked up a CB Talisman but it's so versatile I'm keeping it for recording.

Boss are still a great option. 

builttospill

At some point I'd like to do this with my Boss collection. 
https://goo.gl/images/56Cufj
I know I keep repeating myself on this subject but I've gone mostly Boss including a number of Boss drives and I'm really happy with my set up than I've ever been. The boutique stuff I've owned has been sold and my bank balance is better for it. Also I'm less precious about my stuff now because I know that Boss stuff is built to last.

VJIves

There's something very reassuring about treading on a Boss pedal too. I wish all pedals had that mechanism rather than a metal switch.

Fretwired

Boss pedals are cool and robust .. if you gig regularly and one breaks it's quick and easy to replace it whereas some boutique stuff can be on back order. Here's Steve Vai on Boss pedals ..

GavRichList

Still have 4 on my board, and they’ll not be going anywhere. 

PS-3 - Mode 7 worth the entry fee alone

TU-3 - because why wouldn’t you?

CE-2 - if you want 80s flavoured chorus, can’t be beaten really. I’d like to try an Analogman at some point maybe, but we’re talking £200+ to compete, and there’s every chance I’d still prefer the Boss. 

NS-2 - seems a far more intelligent surpressor than is available anywhere else; doesn’t just gate and chop your signal in a really unnatural way, and has proven of late to be a really good buffer - my board sounds noticeably better with it on. 

Roysterdoyster

Nice to see that Steve and me have even more in common than just our playing ability!

sgosden

considering the dilution of the market, I think you'd be surprised at how many spaces on boards are held by boss pedals.

Remember, those showcasing their shiney pedal boards on forums are more likely to be unicorn tone chasing hobbyists, which is still only a smaller demographic of the guitar playing community.

Pros use the 20 year old bomb proof pedals they've used for years. connected with them cheap patch cables from amazon.

stephen.wood125

I am a fan of them, as said before something quite reassuring about the solidity and simplicity, and I really want an RT-20.

I'm sure a Harley Riding, PRS playing Dentist with a £2000 boutique collection of pedals would laugh at me. [/massive_cliche_generalisation]

Fact is I'll never be good enough to play properly and I can have a mess about with different sounds for sensible money.

ICBM

All bar three of my pedals are Boss. I'm not generally interested in any other brand. I'll certainly never buy another pedal with a mechanical click switch, or without buffering, or with a non-standard 9V power supply requirement, or which demands an isolated power supply, or knobs where you can knock them on the top of the pedal... that lot eliminates the vast majority of pedals that aren't Boss now.

TateFX

Boss are going strong. The 500 series is amazing and the ES series are offering things that others can't do at a lower price point (parallel loops).

JezWynd

Almost all the boutique stuff I've tried hasn't lasted long; many of them attempt to put a spin on a standard effect and it wears out its welcome very quickly.

Boss pedals give you the basic effect in the best pedal format yet designed and they they come in a range of exciting colours. It's a design classic and as such will never get old.