Boss Celebrates the Launch of 10 Waza Craft Edition Pedals over the last 8 or so years

Original SD-1 issued since 1981

I somewhat wrongly thought at one stage that the Custom Mode here was more of an OD-1 voicing while it is rather more likely to have been inspired once more by the Keeley SD-1 Mod - which somewhat beefs up and adds body to that overdrive's output. Boss describes the Custom Mode simply as having more range and slightly more gain than the standard voicing. I've always wanted one of those 14-leg chip original OD-1's with the NEC UPC4741C chip - I do hope Boss will do another reissue of that as a Waza edition, for now I'm having to do with the admittedly excellent Pettyjohn ODI. The original SD-1's had NEC C4558C chips, with later versions using JRC4558DD and similar. I own this variety too.

Original DM-2 issued 1981-1984

The classic DM-2 used the Panasonic MN3005 BBD chip originally, before switching to Panasonic MN3205 - while the BD-2W uses CoolAudio V3205SD chips - which are actually MN3205 replicas - which most contend don't sound exactly the same as the original ones - but are close enough. Standard mode gives you largely those same warm repeats - with 20 > 300 ms of delay time. While Boss describes the Custom Mode as having a clear, customized tone with an extended delay time.

Original CE-2 issued 1979-1992

The very first CE-1 Chorus used the Panasonic MN3002 BBD chips, the CE-2 then switched to MN3007, then MN3207 - which the most recently CoolAudio V3207D chips are based on. This is why there is still a lot of demand for those early pedals as the world has long since run out of those original BBD Chips which many say have more elegant dynamics than the later replicas. The CE-2W uniquely contains 3 different modes - Standard CE-2, and then 2 Custom Modes - CE-1 Chorus, and CE-1 Vibrato. I really love my CE-2W and it gets a fairly regular rotation - while I kind of prefer the elegant simplicity of the DC-2W.

Original VB-2 issued 1982-1986

It took me a while to get into Vibrato - and it's thanks to Prince really that I persevered as he deployed the original pedal in lots of cool ways - and it was a significant part of his setup and sound. The original VB-2 used mostly Panasonic MN3207 chips - so presumably more of those CoolAudio replica V3207D chips. The custom mode ups the frequency range a touch which somewhat brightens up the modulation.

Original TU-3 issued since 2009

This is essentially the much loved TU-3 Chromatic Tuner upgraded with superior quality parts and a different coloured display in a fetching blue. The improved components result in a cleaner signal path, although I'm not sure that the display is quite as legible as the standard edition - it looks very cool admittedly. It's a long time since I've had a Tuner in my pedal-chain - as I prefer to use the Roadie automatic tuning-peg tuner - version 2 actually - which I feel is slightly more ergonomic than the V3 - which does though have a better display and slightly more features onboard.

Original DC-2 issued 1985-1989

Similar to the CE-2 I believe this one started off with Panasonic MN3007 BBD Chips before later switching to MN3207 and eventually the replica CoolAudio V3207D chips - as per the CE-2W and VB-2W. This is is probably my all-time favourite Chorus effect - and I slightly prefer it to the CE-2W. I also love its ease of use via those 4 push-buttons which you can of course deploy in pairs. The Custom Mode here is the vintage Roland SDD-320 Dimension D flavour - which is slightly stronger than the Standard DC-2 Mode. This pedal is most associated with Prince and Purple Rain - where the ideal setting is button 3 on the Custom Mode as far as I'm aware. Albeit some same button 3 on Standard Mode, while others prefer the slightly more subtle mode '2'!

Original MT-2 issued since 1991

The original MT-2 had 4 x Mitsubishi M5218AL IC chips, while later versions mixed in 1 and then 2 x NJM14558L chips for a sort of half-and-half approach, and with I assume is reflected in the latest MT-2W edition. I believe the Custom Mode here is once more inspired by a Robert Keeley Mod - where indeed his Twilight Zone Mod adds 3 beefier and increasingly gainier modes - while Boss sort of draws a best fit line through that. Note that the tone controls can be very sensitive - which is typically the issue the haters have with this pedal. While if you follow Biffy Clyro lead guitarist Simon Neil's example - you can get exceptional tones out of the MT-2 with just a little patience and due diligence. This is one of my favourite Metal distortion pedals of all time - and of course I like it as 'beefy' as possible. Much like with the BD-2W the Boss version tones it down a little from the original inspiration.

Original OC-2 issued from 1982-2005

The original OC-2 editions had the preferred BA634 chip - which then changed to CD4013 around the mid-90's. I believe Boss originally considered an OC-2W reissue - as a more typical Series-2 revival. While work with the digital octave circuit had progressed to amazingly snappy levels of tracking - and the new OC-5 could feature a slightly extended featured set - including those smart low-string Range settings. There is much about the OC-5 that is waza-esque in approach. While this obviously cannot be a Waza Craft as it's digital, and made in Malaysia. I still feel it deserves an honorary place here as the closest other Boss pedal to Waza-Craft standard - obviously has that Standard/Custom Mode type of switch - here representing Vintage (OC-2) and Polyphonic Modes. Bass players still seem to prefer the original OC-2's to a degree - while I feel that the OC-5 is a better proposition for Guitar players.

Original Sola Sound Tone Bender MKII issued from c1966-1976

I was mostly correct when I originally identified the 3 x Germanium transistors as 2N404 varieties. There's an excellent teardown video of this pedal by Gray Bench Electronics (at the base of my last TB-2W feature) - which showcases Boss's smart circuit design - with little silicon pedestals for those metal cans and individual bias trimmers for each of those too. This is a wonderful mix of new and old tech - and it sounds every bit as richly textured as the original inspiration. Of course congratulations to everyone who snagged one - looks like around 3,100 or so were made - looking at my own serial number.

Original HM-2 issued from 1983-1992

I believe these are still using those core Mitsubishi M5218AL IC Chips. Lot of subtle updates and improvements over the original. As mentioned - where Standard Mode goes louder now with less hiss and fizz. While the Custom mode brings the thunder with a major extension on the range of those controls. I've always liked the HM-2 circuit - and I feel this refined version is the best one yet. As is usually my way - I tend to prefer the slightly beefier Custom Mode - which sounds superb. Admittedly there are a lot of HM-2 Clones out there and some have a lot more to them - like the Klirrton Grindstein. While I feel there is still much to love about the authentic Boss variety.

Original FZ-2 issued from 1993-1997

This is purely speculative - and while we may not get this as the very next Waza edition, I feel pretty certain we will see this eventually - especially after the success of the TB-2W. Boss obviously have their own agenda though and they've already likely decided on the running order well before the success of the TB-2W was clear. The Custom Mode could simply be more range on each of those dials and possibly a slightly different bias - as is often the case. For sure there is a captive and ready-made audience for that pedal - so no doubt Boss will see sense soon enough and plan another reissue!