The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Equipment: Keeley BD-2 vs. Allum's H2O BD-2 mods

Keeley BD-2 vs. Allum's H2O BD-2 mods

- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 8:22 p.m. BrianBlaut:

I plan on modding my Blues Driver. Can anyone shed some light on the differences between Keeley's and Monte Allum's H2O mod? Apparently they're different things with the same goal in mind:

-transparent sound -more bass from original signal passing through -smoother, less harsh gain -usuable tone knob

Their descriptions on their websites are almost identicle, yet I know Keeley is doing some things Allum isn't and vice versa. Allum has a cheaper price, but that doesn't really matter if Keeley's mod is more thourough or vice versa...

I'm most interested in the one with the most transparent sound as the Stock BD-2 seems to be sucking the life out of my highs. Maybe thats the 'harshness' that these mods aim to fix...
- Rated: 212 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 9:20 p.m. Proteus:

Brian, I have a dirtbox shootout coming that compares the Keeleymod BD-2 with one modded by our own JBGretschGuy, and I think he said his is based on the Alum mods.

You'll hear them side by side.

I'm working on it as I get time - 10 other pedals are involved.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 9:24 p.m. roadjunkie:

Tim I think Josh put a bit of both Keeley and Allum mods in there along with a few things he thought up. At least I think that's how I remember it!
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 11:20 p.m. jetbunny:

My Allum modded BD2 is a sweet pedal. Yes, I tried a stock BD2, and it sounded fizzy, fuzzy and buzzy (hey, I like those words!) if you max the gain knob or go past noon.

The mods solved it. You get a smoother, less trebley overdrive all the way up.

One thing I noticed is that both pedals sound alike if I keep the gain knob before 12o'clock. Beyond that, the mods do the "sweetening" job.

Both retains the bass EQ fairly well.
- Rated: 42 ↑
Sep 8, 2008 11:34 p.m. JBGretschguy:

There is some overlap between the Keeley mods and the Allums mods, but there are a number of notable differences. They both follow the model of replacing cheap crummy caps and lame clipping diodes with better quality ones. The Allums Mods and the Keeley Mods play very well together, I think. But I'll leave it up to the shootout to decide for sure!
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 1:18 p.m. BrianBlaut:

JB, would you say one is inheritally more transparent than the other? Or are they pretty even? I'm looking at the Allum H2O mod specifically, not their regular BD-2 mod (which I believe actually introduces a mid hump). I'd probably be happy with either (keeley or H2O), but if there are some audible differences between the two, I'm trying to come to a good informed guess as to which one I'd be happier with.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 1:43 p.m. BrianBlaut:

I've been poking around, asking, reading. Most people don't have experience with both mods, although all opinions are welcome.

Most love their Keeley. Many say it transformed the pedal. Still others (but less others) say they couldn't really hear the difference, or at least justify the difference.

The same could be said for H2O. People are polar with the overwhelming majority at least happy. Price may be at play here. Its easier to be pleased with a $20 for a DIY operation than paying $65. But I'm more about what's the better end result. Also people want different things out the pedal. I'm not looking for Santana singing leads. I currently use it for a cleanish boost. Minimal dirt. The gain stays pretty low.

Jetbunny, when you say both pedals sound the same with the gain below 12 o'clock, do you mean the Keeley and the Allum? or the Allum and the stock pedal? Does the overall Fidelity improvement still make the pedal more transparent?

I ask a lot of questions I know. Thanks you in advance. I'm itchy and its in my nature to dig up research whenever choices are available.
- Rated: 42 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 2:08 p.m. JBGretschguy:

You could always buy a Keeley BD-2 and do the H20 mod of it. Or you could take a stock pedal and do the H20 and the research what a lot of Keeley's mods encompass. If you google it, he has shared those mods in print, including component values!

Either mod will make a huge difference in clarity and smoothness. Doing both mods just adds a little icing on the cake. Also - check out Allums chip swap mod for the BD-2. I installed it and was impressed. YMMV.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 2:23 p.m. BrianBlaut:

You speaK of the H2O plus? I wondered about that. Is it noticably even better than the regular H2O? I listened to the samples, but the problem with the samples is, its not how I play, or what I play and there isn't usually a clear demonstration of stock pedal on, pedal off, H2O pedal on, pedal off, H2O Plus: pedal on, pedal off. That would be usefull, but when they put a mixed song on with compression and who knows what else layered in, its kind of meaningless as to what the differences are compared to each other and compared to stock.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 11:01 p.m. jetbunny:

BrianBlaut,

Here's the BD-2 mod I used. The first mod and not the H20.

About the "sameness", I'm talking about the BD-2 mod and the stock pedal.

I never tried a Keeley modded BD-2.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 10, 2008 12:30 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Ok, one final question for anyone who has done the Allums mods. How easy are they to perform? I do my own guitar wiring and am comfortable with a soldering iron.

Are Allum's instructions idiot proof? Full of pictures of the steps?

I normally would enjoy taking it on, but unless is ridiculously easy and quick, I might just have it done for me (which is only $45 total, including shipping).

I'm leaning toward the H2O plus, primarily because of the chip change and my conclusion that the chip change is the most intriguing of the various mods out there. Is it overkill for my needs? probably.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Sep 11, 2008 3:46 p.m. jfarabee:

I am working on the H20 Plus mod for a friend of mine. Unfortunately, the pedal was dead when I got it, and I have not got it operational yet, so I can't speak for sound quality. As far as the directions you get with it, I wouldn't call them idiot-proof, but a person with reasonable intelligence and soldering skill will have no issues installing them.
- Rated: 29 ↑
Sep 11, 2008 11:29 p.m. jetbunny:

Sorry. No help here. I bought it from a friend who got it brand new from Allums.

But from what I've heard, if you have the basic soldering skills and knowledge, it's pretty much a walk in the park.

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Keeley BD-2 vs. Allum's H2O BD-2 mods

Sep 8, 2008 8:22 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Sep 8, 2008 9:20 p.m. Proteus:

Sep 8, 2008 9:24 p.m. roadjunkie:

Sep 8, 2008 11:20 p.m. jetbunny:

Sep 8, 2008 11:34 p.m. JBGretschguy:

Sep 9, 2008 1:18 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Sep 9, 2008 1:43 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Sep 9, 2008 2:08 p.m. JBGretschguy:

Sep 9, 2008 2:23 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Sep 9, 2008 11:01 p.m. jetbunny:

Sep 10, 2008 12:30 p.m. BrianBlaut:

Sep 11, 2008 3:46 p.m. jfarabee:

Sep 11, 2008 11:29 p.m. jetbunny:

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