Boss FT2 Dynamic Filter Mod

I've tested the pedal over a number of weeks with different gear. What was once an occasionally used pedal with a mind to be being put on ebay is now a permanent feature of my set-up. Essentially, this is a great sounding pedal but difficult to get a good sound from across a range of pickups and guitars, and a fair bit of volume was needed to get the most from it. Thanks to Martin's mods this pedal has been transformed into a real funk monster. The increased range from the sensitivity control enables me to drive the pedal using single coil-equipped guitars as easily as with humbuckers. An added benefit is the ability to set the control at much lower levels than was previously possible without having to dig in so much to get the sound desired. Flicking the pedal to band-pass mode adds more vocal qualities to the range of sounds and can clear up any sounds that sound good but a bit muffled. The range switch has vastly increased the number of great sounds from this pedal and has made it a piece of cake to dial in a good sound with ease. This switch really does exploit the full range of what this pedal is really capable of in the most user-friendly way. There is none of the irritating high-end hiss that I've heard from almost every other envelope filter pedal. All the sounds I've had so far from this pedal with the mods are beautifully full and fat, rich musical.

I believe Martin has used high quality components for the mods, and everything has been done with great care. I'm very confident that the mods will last as long as the pedal does.

This is a review of modifications done by Martin Owen of Owen Electronics in the UK www.owenelectronics.co.uk to my Boss FT2 Dynamic Filter pedal. Martin has modified the pedal with the following: 1. Increased the range of the Sensitivity control to enable better usability with single coil pickups. 2. Added a band pass range via a mini switch on the right hand side of the pedal. The down position activates band-pass mode. Flick it up to switch the pedal back to stock. 3. Added a low-medium-high range mini switch to the left hand side of the pedal. 4. Installed a blue status led to replace the stock red light. The switches have been clearly and carefully labelled. The reason for sighting the switches to the sides of the pedal was that there was no room to install them on the top because of the amount of wiring already present inside the unit and directly underneath this area. A lot of care has been taken with the siting and labelling of the switches. The labels have been produced with a labelling machine. Also, the mini-switches are not particularly fiddly when operating them and are small enough to enable the pedal to fit in its original box easily. In fact, Martin provided extra foam inserts to put around the switches to protect them when the pedal is in the box.

Support from Martin was about as good as it gets. He consulted me through every step of the mods for my approval and clearly listed the separate prices for each component. We also had some very interesting chats about music gear in general. Martin is clearly someone who knows his onions; just check out his website to see his own very innovative pedals and you'll see what I mean. He's a very personable guy and really does care about his products and services. His idea of adding the range switch mod is an example of his innovative perspective.

It has been a real pleasure dealing with Martin and has felt more like a collaboration at times.  Martin's mods have raised this very misunderstood pedal to a different power. I knew it was good, but it needed the mods to really exploit the best from it; and it is one of the best envelope filter pedals I've heard yet. I was charged a more than reasonable amount for the mods; significantly lower than anyone else currently in the guitar pedal hot-rodding business. Fantastic value for money. I'll be contacting Martin again soon for the next project! Highly recommended.