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snufkino
Copper Member
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
 Posted - 11/20/2009 : 23:39:37
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So the 'new' version of the TR-2 apparently sounds better/louder than the original model, but when did these start getting made and how do you tell the difference? I've been tempted to get one in place of my original model but it dawned on me that mods are available for both, and Monte Allums even needs you to send info stating which version you have, so surely if the newer version can be modded there can't be that much difference between it and the older version??
Anyone have info on how to tell the difference if you're buying new, and has anyone used both? And what are the real differences exactly? I'm assuming as the depth is cranked, there's just a little more of the original volume level retained rather than lost? |
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RONanFEZ
Bronze Member
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2009 : 02:40:54
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I Had one modded and this is what they told me. Got to the TR-2 and discovered that it is the old board and that makes the rate led impossible. When Boss switched to the new board they used a dual ic instead of the single. The dual ic made it possible to jump the rate led, but the single requires extra circuitry that would involve rebuilding the pedal. 
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stinkfoot
Silver Member
Sweden
181 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2009 : 01:38:36
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The newer models came about when the RoHS directive went into effect in europe, which was in the summer of 2006. So any pedals manufactured after that date will be the newer type. There's also usually a green triangular sticker with the letter "R" in it on the box the pedal comes in.
The part that is redesigned is mainly the amplification section (where the tremolo effect is applied). The newer ones have a different op-amp and is set to play slightly above unity gain with the depth knob fully off (to give the impression of unity gain with the tremolo running).
/Andreas |
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snufkino
Copper Member
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2009 : 21:44:57
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Cheers for the info. I just got one of the newer types and couldn't find the "R" on the box anywhere. The manual/box text layout is different, but phyiscally (apart from checking the label on the back for the date) the pedal itself has a dimmer LED compared to the older one. There is a little 'bump' in the volume, though the real tonal differences are just noticable.
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Mr Arkadin
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2009 : 01:28:03
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| i just got a TR-2 and i think it's the older type. Have to say the volume thing doesn't really affect me. How can i tell if it's older with no box? Serial number? |
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zerksies
Double Platinum Member
USA
3406 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2009 : 19:27:03
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| I had a original tr-2 and did not notice a volume drop till people starting modding them |
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ssanyee
Silver Member
Hungary
288 Posts |
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snufkino
Copper Member
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2009 : 23:31:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Arkadin
i just got a TR-2 and i think it's the older type. Have to say the volume thing doesn't really affect me. How can i tell if it's older with no box? Serial number?
According to stinkfoot in the above post, the newer versions were made in the summer of 2006 onwards. You can check the serial number by going to the bossarea home page, click on the 'General Information' folder, then on 'Serial Number Decoder'. 
As for the actual volume difference, it's definitely there, but negligable. Personally I think it's just something to do with a better circuit that, excuse the phrase, 'lifts the blanket' on the sound. The depth knob on both versions starts to apply the tremolo effect at the same point, it's not like it's actually a new depth pot/circuit. It just sounds a shade less 'congested'. Oh, and actually, FWIW the newer one is actually a little slower.
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Edited by - snufkino on 11/29/2009 23:38:09 |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2009 : 16:25:39
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| If i remember one of your previous posts you said you recently sold a Demeter Tremulator,which is a pretty high end/boutique tremolo pedal..how does the Boss TR-2 fare out against it in your estimation ...? i have one of the Newer TR-2's and i have to say i love it,it is probably taking over from my love of the 80's Chorus/andy summers/pretenders type of sound that i grew up listening to...i posted in a different thread about comments made about my tone on a recent gig by a guy working for the venue who is also a bass player...he remarked on the 'warm' sound of the TR-2 and my leslie effect unit as well when i kicked them in and out over the course of the gig...i never played the earlier TR-2 but IMHO the new one is a fine pedal and one of the best effects that Boss have brought out in a long time.... |
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snufkino
Copper Member
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2009 : 18:02:07
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For me it was purely that the Tremulator's wave shape was too sharp sounding. I prefer the TR-2's sine wave to the triangle wave. The quality of the Tremulator is slightly better than even the newer TR-2, I just prefer the smoother sound and the option for square wave. Oh, and of course with the TR-2, I don't have to mess about with a screwdriver to alter the slope of the wave! Demeter really messed up with that one.  |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2009 : 18:15:42
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| Similar to reason i got it as well..the built in tremolo in my old Musicman amp was to choppy or square waved for the sound i wanted which was the classic Fender or Vox type of tremolo so thats why i decided to get the TR-2..if you ever heard 'feeling bad blues' by Ry Cooder..that was the tremolo sound i wanted... |
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Mr Arkadin
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2009 : 18:20:56
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quote:
Originally posted by snufkino
According to stinkfoot in the above post, the newer versions were made in the summer of 2006 onwards. You can check the serial number by going to the bossarea home page, click on the 'General Information' folder, then on 'Serial Number Decoder'.
Dec 2005 according to that. Have to say the volume drop seeems to be a non-issue for me - really not bothered. Then again i'm one of those guys that whenever rolling back a guitar's volume knob to clean it up a little. What? Who cares? Leave it on ten (or 11). 
PS. i like this pedal. |
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snufkino
Copper Member
United Kingdom
36 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2009 : 02:30:48
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
Similar to reason i got it as well..the built in tremolo in my old Musicman amp was to choppy or square waved for the sound i wanted which was the classic Fender or Vox type of tremolo so thats why i decided to get the TR-2..if you ever heard 'feeling bad blues' by Ry Cooder..that was the tremolo sound i wanted...
From the Demeter Tremulator webpage:
"I have often been asked how I got involved in the guitar pedal business. In 1982 Ry Cooder came to me asking if I could make him a tremolo pedal, as none were being made at the time. After some experimentation, and Ry's old Fender twin amp as a sound model, the Tremulator was born. At first they were in unpainted Bud boxes with dymo labels, but as time went on they appeared in a number of painted boxes until the present version, which I think is the nicest. This effect was named by Guitar Player Magazine as 'one of the fifty coolest effects pedals of all time.'" - James
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2009 : 14:22:25
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 ..Hmmm have a listen and see what you think,the tremolo in the clip doesn't sound very square waved to me,if it is the Demeter tremolo pedal here i have to say it sounds very good and organic.....when i think of a square wave,choppy tremolo effect i think of Johnny Marr in his Smiths days,i was under the impression that Cooder used an old magnatone tremolo or the original fender one and didn't use any stompboxes...anyway the boss one will do fine... i'm not gassin' for the demeter just yet plus the TR-2 was good enough for Clapton on a few of his recent albums and live.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7AhExWtH8U&feature=related |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 12/01/2009 14:25:02 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2009 : 14:43:36
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
..Hmmm have a listen and see what you think,the tremolo in the clip doesn't sound very square waved to me,if it is the Demeter tremolo pedal here i have to say it sounds very good and organic.....when i think of a square wave,choppy tremolo effect i think of Johnny Marr in his Smiths days,i was under the impression that Cooder used an old magnatone tremolo or the original fender one and didn't use any stompboxes...anyway the boss one will do fine... i'm not gassin' for the demeter just yet plus the TR-2 was good enough for Clapton on a few of his recent albums and live.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7AhExWtH8U&feature=related
Hi FRANZONI & Guys
Really nice piece of soulful playing.
But there's no way in a million years that,
that tone came out of a 4 inch speaker, on a Pignose 7-100.
I have one of those as my Lab Bench Test Amp.
Still nice overdubbed playing.
The trem. is a killer.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
Edited by - Dr. Bob on 12/01/2009 14:44:24 |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2009 : 17:36:05
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Nope that was just for the film Doc...snufkino is correct in that Ry Cooder who played the piece did originally ask james demeter to build him a tremolo pedal but he uses a lot of old gear as well...i found this site on my travels so i reckon for the recording he could of used one of his old amps like the magnatone or possibly a Fender or maybe he did use the Demeter pedal who knows...glad you enjoyed it i think it's one of his best....
http://www.rycooder.nl/pages/ry_cooder_Instruments_gear_amps_effects.htm |
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the two versions of the TR-2
