The Free The Tone BASS BLASTER BB-2 is an overdrive pedal built for bass guitar. Free The Tone describes it as "OVERDRIVE for BASS," and the pedal carries four controls: GAIN, TREBLE, BASS and LEVEL, covering drive amount, tone shaping on both ends of the spectrum and overall output level1.
The pedal is no longer in production. Free The Tone's product page marks it as discontinued, with a list price of 41,800 yen (tax included) shown alongside that notice1.
Free The Tone lists the BB-2 as discontinued, with a list price of 41,800 yen (tax included) shown alongside that notice on the maker's product page1.
Power and the ±15V internal supply
The BB-2 runs on DC 9V and accepts either a 9V (006P type) battery or an AC adapter through its DC 9V input jack. Its current consumption is listed as approximately 90mA, a relatively high draw for a single pedal, so a supply output rated for at least that much current is needed1.
Inside, the circuit operates on +/-15Vdc, boosted up from the 9V input. Free The Tone explains the reason: the higher internal voltage gives the pedal enough headroom to control the bass's wide dynamic range with margin, which the company describes as bringing out a broad dynamic range and rich expressiveness1.
Controls and connections
The BB-2 keeps its face simple, with one knob per function1:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Drive amount |
| TREBLE | Treble tone shaping |
| BASS | Bass tone shaping |
| LEVEL | Output level |
Connections are a 1/4-inch standard phone input jack, a 1/4-inch standard phone output jack, and a DC 9V input jack for an AC adapter. The output is specified for a load impedance of 220 ohms or less12. The pedal measures 100 (W) x 123 (D) x 52 (H) mm including the footswitch and jack protrusions, and weighs approximately 340g not including accessories1.
Where it came from
Free The Tone says the design of the Bass Blaster began with an idea from the bassist of the Japanese band TUBE, Mr. Kakuno, and credits that suggestion as the starting point for the pedal's development1.
Free The Tone describes the BB-2 simply as "OVERDRIVE for BASS"1. Beyond that description, the maker's published specifications cover its four controls, its output load impedance of 220 ohms or less, and its size and weight1.
Questions
Does the Free The Tone Bass Blaster BB-2 run on a battery?
Yes. Free The Tone lists the BB-2's power as DC 9V, and it accepts a 9V (006P type) battery as well as an AC adapter through its DC 9V input jack. Note that it draws about 90mA, which is well beyond what most pedalboard power supplies deliver on a standard output, so an adapter is the practical choice for a board.
Is the Bass Blaster BB-2 discontinued?
Yes. Free The Tone's product page marks the BB-2 as discontinued (production ended), with the list price shown alongside that notice. The pedal is no longer in production, so availability depends on the secondhand market.
Why does the BB-2 use a ±15V internal supply?
Free The Tone says the internal circuit runs on +/-15Vdc, boosted up from the 9V input. According to the maker, that higher internal voltage gives the pedal enough headroom to control the bass's wide dynamic range with margin, which the company describes as bringing out a broad dynamic range and rich expressiveness.
Who came up with the idea for the Bass Blaster?
Free The Tone says the design of the Bass Blaster began with an idea from the bassist of the Japanese band TUBE, Mr. Kakuno. The company credits that suggestion as the starting point for the pedal's development.
What jacks does the BB-2 have?
The BB-2 has two 1/4-inch standard phone jacks, one for input and one for output, plus a DC 9V input jack for connecting an AC adapter. The output is specified for a load impedance of 220 ohms or less.
How much current does the BB-2 draw?
Free The Tone lists the BB-2's current consumption as approximately 90mA at 9V DC. That is a relatively high draw for a single pedal, so it needs a supply output rated for at least that much current.
Sources (2)
- BASS BLASTER / BB-2｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
- BASS BLASTER / BB-2｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
