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Average Price: $160

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$176+

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Description

The Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 is a versatile overdrive pedal designed to cater to discerning guitarists seeking rich, dynamic tones. Known for its handcrafted quality, this pedal offers a range of overdrive sounds, from subtle to aggressive, making it suitable for a variety of musical styles. Its innovative design incorporates a dual-gain stage and a highly responsive tone control, providing you with a wide palette of sonic possibilities.

Built in the USA, the BlackBox Overdrive V2 uses high-quality components, ensuring durability and reliability during live performances or studio sessions. The pedal features a true bypass switch, preserving your guitar’s original tone when the pedal is not engaged. With its user-friendly layout, the BlackBox Overdrive V2 offers intuitive controls that allow you to easily shape your sound, whether you're looking for that classic bluesy warmth or a modern, biting edge.

The pedal's JRC4580D op-amp, a key component, contributes to its distinctive sound by delivering smooth overdrive with excellent clarity and touch sensitivity. This makes it an excellent choice for both lead and rhythm players who demand precision and detail in their tone.

Key Features:

  • Handcrafted in the USA
  • Dual-gain stage design for versatile overdrive tones
  • True bypass switching for pristine signal integrity
  • Intuitive tone control for easy sound shaping
  • JRC4580D op-amp for enhanced clarity and touch sensitivity
  • Suitable for a variety of musical styles, from blues to rock

Product specs

Brand Snouse
Model BlackBox Overdrive 2
Finish Black, White
Year 2010s
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of overdrive does the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 provide?

The Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 delivers a transparent overdrive, allowing the natural tone of your guitar to shine through while adding a subtle, dynamic gain that enhances your sound without coloring it.

Is the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 suitable for stacking with other pedals?

Yes, the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 is designed to stack well with other pedals, providing a versatile gain structure that can complement and enhance the tonal characteristics of additional effects in your signal chain.

How does the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 compare to a Tube Screamer?

Unlike a Tube Screamer, the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 offers a more transparent overdrive with less mid-range emphasis, making it ideal for players seeking a clean boost or subtle overdrive that maintains the integrity of their original tone.

What power supply is required for the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2?

The Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 requires a standard 9V DC power supply with a negative center, which is common for most pedalboards and power bricks.

Can the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 be used with a bass guitar?

Yes, the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 can be used with a bass guitar, offering a clear and articulate overdrive that preserves the low-end frequencies essential for bass players.

John Mayer Gear

John Mayer Gear

John Mayer Tones: King of Tone v4 vs Snouse BlackBox v2

Video thumbnail for John Mayer Tones: King of Tone v4 vs Snouse BlackBox v2 by John Mayer Gear

John Mayer Tones: King of Tone v4 vs Snouse BlackBox v2

John Mayer Gear

John Mayer Gear

Video thumbnail for Snouse Black Box Overdrive 2 and Vemuram Jan Ray by Hittin’ The Blue Note

Snouse Black Box Overdrive 2 and Vemuram Jan Ray

Hittin’ The Blue Note

Hittin’ The Blue Note

Reviews

PROS

  • Excels with both humbuckers and single coils

  • Provides more than classic Bluesbreaker tones

  • Serves as a core overdrive for most occasions

  • Highly durable construction, built to last a lifetime

  • Offers bright sound at lower gain settings

  • Maintains guitar's natural voice with zero coloration

  • Harmonically rich with smooth overdriven tones

  • Integrates seamlessly with various amps

  • Stacks well with other pedals

  • Considered a game changer by experienced players

CONS

  • Requires tinkering to find the desired sound

  • Slightly challenging to achieve completely clean tones

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2.

Comparisons

  • The Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 offers a flatter EQ, with a slight low-mid bump, contrasting the JHS Morning Glory's high-mid, glassier tone.

    Source
  • It aligns more with warmer bluesbreaker-style pedals like the Coppersound Foxcatcher and VFE Blues King, offering a less chimey and more balanced sound.

    Source
  • The Browne Amplification Protein offers a combination of BluesBreaker and ODR-1 tones, praised for its modern usability over vintage models.

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  • The EAE Limelight is mentioned for its bright and loud sound with excellent note definition, distinct from typical BluesBreaker clones.

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  • Users suggest Analogman Prince of Tone and MXR Duke of Tone as viable alternatives with improved output over original BluesBreakers.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Includes tone, presence, and internal switches for extensive tonal customization, accommodating both guitar and bass.

    Source
  • The Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 features increased output volume, addressing the original Blues Breaker's low volume issue.

    Source
  • Internal dip switches allow for a bright/warm tone adjustment and the option to bypass clipping diodes for a clean boost.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users report extensive wait times for delivery, with one mentioning a wait since March 2022 before receiving the pedal.

    Source
  • Andertons is recommended for reliable shipment times and potential cost savings on the Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2 when purchased as a customer return.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the pedal's ability to maintain clarity and avoid flabbiness, even with both drive and boost maxed out.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Wampler Pantheon is noted for its EQ flexibility for both low and high gain settings, making it a suitable alternative for the BlackBox V2.

    Source

Build quality

  • The pedal's internal wiring is meticulously routed for aesthetic appeal, highlighting the attention to detail in its construction.

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Value and pricing

  • Despite lengthy wait times, some users believe the pedal is worth the wait, thanks to its unique tonal capabilities.

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Other

  • The builder, Josh, is reported to be a one-person operation, focusing on quality despite parts shortages affecting production timelines.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
doigy

My go to pedal

Never off my board, I use it before the OCD

Artist usage

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See how Chris Buck uses Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2

Chris Buck

Guitarist

Cardinal Black

...
Verified via YouTube

Chris Buck explains how he uses the Snouse Blackbox at roughly 21:12 on his pedalboard build of this episode of "That Pedal Show."

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Snouse BlackBox Overdrive V2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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simon_john

simon_john

Gear IQ 225

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