BJFE / BearFoot fx Guitar Effects Community

V2 arrived yesterday, unfortunately I only had limited time for a quick play with the two side by side.

Gear: Carvin DC400 with Seymour Duncan JB neck, 59 Bridge, Divided by 13 JRT (played on the 6v6 side), Celestion Blue in 1x12.

First impressions: I was really hoping this was going to be easier! By most reports I thought the V2 would be the keeper without a doubt. However, V1 has something really different about it, it has the "sparkle." This is not to say that V2 is dull or anything, but V1 really stands out from my other BJFE dirt pedals (DRD, EGDM, HB, LGW) and offers something that none of them can really do on their own. I did some shoot out with the EGDM (my most treble forward pedal) to see if I could get that same "sparkle" and it's just not the same.

Now this "sparkle" can also reach into the realm of too much of a good thing and become a little fizzy with the treble knob past noon on my setup. If I could have a V1 where the CCW half of the Treble became the CW side and the new CCW side was something that shifted the mids a little lower or cut the treble ever so slightly - heaven - and a pedal that really stands out amongst other dirt with it's own flavor. I also feel that the V1 really shines in stacking it with others. I'm VERY curious to see how it stacks with the LGW, I'm thinking I might be able to get into V2 territory with that duo. I also have a SBEQ on the way (thanks Cliff!) and will see if I can create my own modified treble stack with that and the V1.

I still need more time with V2, but it does sound ever so sweet with the DRD. Right now, I'm thinking that there might be ways through stacking to get V2 sound from the V1, but I don't think there is any way to get the V1 "sparkle" without owning a V1!

Might be looking for new homes for the V2 and EGDM depending on LGW and SBEQ stacking results.

hawaii121 wrote: I'm VERY curious to see how it stacks with the LGW, I'm thinking I might be able to get into V2 territory with that duo.

I've been LOVING that combo. The LGW's body knob is excellent after the twins; from 12 o'clock and clockwise, it's great at taming the sparkle. Alternately, full ccw does kinda the opposite (nice w/v2!)

GREAT info in this thread, nice work gentlemen!

i really like the v1 version of the SYOD, and you can tell i really dug it here.


this is from some of my VERY FIRST BJFe demos, when Newarkwilder and I had the BJFe tourbox for a few days:

wow.....it's already been TWO YEARS since i made this demo. where has the time gone?

I seem to use the SYOD v2 about 80% of the time. Not to say that I like it more it just suit's my style of playing, classic rock and blues. I tried the v1 through some humbuckers today and it is definitely more suited for darker guitars and sounds great through the neck pickup. I thought I would sell my v1, but I have decided against it. It’s a completely different pedal from the v2 and can merge into the distortion arena where as the v2 is more of a overdrive.

I have noticed that the v2 has a little bit of sag and touch sensitive where as the v1 is immediate and really projects.

As far as stacking the v1 is the clear winner for me. It sounds great pushing the v2, but sounds the best when its pushing my MP LGW which covers my distortion needs. The sound is big and biting and wins out over my MH, HBOD DLX and v2.

The v1 clearly has more gain than the v2 and I don't think it's just because of treble differences. The v1 sustains better and almost has an fuzz like quality when really driven.

I would still like to see future v1's have the treble maxed out at about 12 to 1 o'clock position as I think it is unusable past this point.

I think I could get away with all my dirt needs with just the v1 and v2, but I will keep my LGW and HBOD DLX because they are just so darn good.

mikepick wrote:I seem to use the SYOD v2 about 80% of the time. Not to say that I like it more it just suit's my style of playing, classic rock and blues. I tried the v1 through some humbuckers today and it is definitely more suited for darker guitars and sounds great through the neck pickup. I thought I would sell my v1, but I have decided against it. It’s a completely different pedal from the v2 and can merge into the distortion arena where as the v2 is more of a overdrive.

I have noticed that the v2 has a little bit of sag and touch sensitive where as the v1 is immediate and really projects.

As far as stacking the v1 is the clear winner for me. It sounds great pushing the v2, but sounds the best when its pushing my MP LGW which covers my distortion needs. The sound is big and biting and wins out over my MH, HBOD DLX and v2.

The v1 clearly has more gain than the v2 and I don't think it's just because of treble differences. The v1 sustains better and almost has an fuzz like quality when really driven.

I would still like to see future v1's have the treble maxed out at about 12 to 1 o'clock position as I think it is unusable past this point.

I think I could get away with all my dirt needs with just the v1 and v2, but I will keep my LGW and HBOD DLX because they are just so darn good.

First off--Nice reviews Cliff and Donnel! Going to try to toss a quick demo off tomorrow or Thursday of the two:
Donnel, really liked what you said here:

If I could have a V1 where the CCW half of the Treble became the CW side and the new CCW side was something that shifted the mids a little lower or cut the treble ever so slightly - heaven -

That was along the lines of my initial thoughts--from my memory, I know a completely different circuit, but when I had an early nitro LGW, I remember when swinging the body knob CCW, created this huge low end thrust compared to the rest of the range--THAT's what I'd love to hear on V1 from 12 noon to fully CCW.

I will say V2 sounds more like a DRD when pushed, although still an overdrive, whereas V1, even with all that treble bite, is a monster with more hair and sizzle,

and yes Mike, I agree V1 is really shades away from a distortion pedal(hate even calling it that), really a higher gain crunch grind overdrive--the DRD can get a bit treble happy towards the upper ends of the treble sweep in similar fashion, but aside from the compression, it is much smoother sounding than V1.

Upon a merge of the two--I know Bjorn can make that happen in a way that will still be most pleasing--I also still think two separate versions could still be viable and happening instead of the merge where V2 stays and overdrive with maybe the gain of the current V1, keep the voicing as is, but put a TOUCH more emphasis on the upper mids/treble, just to give it a little lift and sparkle.

V1 could maybe then be pushed into more of a high-gain overdrive(distortion--if only for convenience of the term) with a re-voiced treble control as mentioned, and maybe a different color instead of different shades of yellow like before--Sparkling Orange (Hi-gain)Overdrive maybe?? I know that color was used VERY briefly before...such a perty thing to NOT be seen:

gallery/image_page.php?album_id=2&image_id=334

(Thank you again Donner )--maybe with Halloween-approved black labeling?? ahh, just some musings.

Quick extra note: Thanks Bobby for the SYOD re-load...2:20-2:30, especially from your playing reaction easily conveys the Hi-gain overdrive tone I mention and that we all seem to be digging immensely here!! Woohoo!!

Slim Henderson wrote:GREAT info in this thread, nice work gentlemen!

i really like the v1 version of the SYOD, and you can tell i really dug it here.


this is from some of my VERY FIRST BJFe demos, when Newarkwilder and I had the BJFe tourbox for a few days:

wow.....it's already been TWO YEARS since i made this demo. where has the time gone?

Ive watched that one many-a-time... Love it.

Say what ever happened to the concept of a tourbox...

bsic wrote:

Slim Henderson wrote:GREAT info in this thread, nice work gentlemen!

i really like the v1 version of the SYOD, and you can tell i really dug it here.


this is from some of my VERY FIRST BJFe demos, when Newarkwilder and I had the BJFe tourbox for a few days:

wow.....it's already been TWO YEARS since i made this demo. where has the time gone?

Ive watched that one many-a-time... Love it.

Say what ever happened to the concept of a tourbox...

Bobby D's demo's are what sparked my interest in the whole BJFE line. Thanks Slim!

mikepick wrote:

Bobby D's demo's are what sparked my interest in the whole BJFE line. Thanks Slim!

+1. BobbyD was the "oil well" without which I would not have such a huge supply of BJFE GAS!!

+1 to Bobby D for enlightening me to magical and mysterious world of BJFE! My first pedal the TOP lead me to Bobby D and from there...

Also, with all the critique, I forgot to mention - both SYOD are killer pedals in their own right - great work again Bjorn! I am fascinated by all the tweaking suggestions and don't have a clue about how they all translate in terms of being possible and what would have to be done to the circuit to modify the treble, gain, etc. Would these changes mess up the sparkle? We can't have that!

Also, Donner - fantastic paint job - these are my first NEW BJFE, all my others were bought second hand. Very pleasing to unpack a new toys like these.

Agreed - they're both great pedals.

I just wanted to say fantastic job to everyone with the reviews. I love hearing other peoples input on things like this and was really glad to be able to participate. I think I've purged enough gear to justify hanging on to v2 for a while longer. I think it makes a killer smooth OD and the v1 makes a KILLER distortion

Can't wait for the next opportunity to try out another BJFe pedal...

Thanks again Bjorn, Donner and all the forumites