The Boss ML-2 is a Boss distortion pedal, currently around $100.42. Close alternatives include the Black Arts Toneworks Dual Revelation Custom and the Spermophilus Effects GasMask. It pairs well with the Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head and the Soldano Astro-20 Head.
Boss ML-2
Boss · pedal
The Boss ML-2 Metal Core is a high-gain distortion pedal built for modern metal, delivering some of the most extreme gain in the Boss lineup. It produces a ferocious, biting, explosive distortion with a cool growl yet keeps single notes clear and defined rather than collapsing into mush. A flexible three-band tone section and massive gain make it suited to nu-metal, grindcore, industrial, hardcore, and other heavy styles needing crushing rhythm tone and heavy lows. It pairs best with amps that have a classic mid-hump voicing such as a Marshall, where it sits tight and aggressive.
What stands out
“The Boss ML-2 Metal Core is a built for modern metal, delivering some of the most extreme gain in the Boss lineup”
— from the listing
“Players regard it as Bosss most aggressive distortion, more explosive and growling than the smoother Metal Zone, with surprisingly clear note definition for the gain on offer”
— from the community notes
“It is used almost entirely for heavy genres, nu-metal, grindcore, industrial and hardcore rhythm and lead”
— from the community notes
“It produces a ferocious, biting, explosive distortion with a cool growl yet keeps single notes clear and defined”
— from the listing
“It delivers deep lows and a cutting upper midrange that slices through a dense band mix, making it effective for modern metal rhythm and lead”
— from the reviews
- gain
- distortion
- clear
- rhythm
- aggressive
- growl
- metal
- explosive
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Boss ML-2 is commonly used in
- Metal
- Nu Metal
- Hardcore
- Metalcore
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Death Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Boss ML-2
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head
Revv
24% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head's own high gain character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Soldano Astro-20 Head
Soldano
23% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
What Soldano Astro-20 Head brings here leans toward high gain — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt goes after Boss ML-2 in the chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H goes after Boss ML-2 in the chain
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Friedman BE-Mini Head after Boss ML-2
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 after Boss ML-2
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade goes after Boss ML-2 in the chain
Blackstar HT Stage 100H MK III Snakeskin
Blackstar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Blackstar HT Stage 100H MK III Snakeskin goes after Boss ML-2 in the chain
Pedals that stack with the Boss ML-2
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
23% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
What EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Fjord Fuzz Odin
Fjord Fuzz
22% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
What Fjord Fuzz Odin brings here leans toward fuzzy — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator
pedal
15% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator after Boss ML-2 in the signal chain, clear of Boss ML-2's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg
11% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Boss ML-2's transparent voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte goes after Boss ML-2 in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
JAM Pedals Delay-Llama
Jam Pedals
9% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep Boss ML-2's transparent voice out front: JAM Pedals Delay-Llama goes after Boss ML-2 in the signal chain so its analog warmth voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 after Boss ML-2
Death By Audio Destruction
Death By Audio
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Death By Audio Destruction goes after Boss ML-2 in the chain
Cheaper alternatives
Tone City Noisy Boy
Tone City
59% similarityShared character: noise, metal, mix
Fender Hammertone Metal
Fender
54% similarityShared character: noise, metal, distortion
TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion
TC Electronic
52% similarityShared character: metal, gain, distortion
ProCo RAT 2
Proco
51% similarityShared character: marshall, noise, clarity
Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion
Boss
50% similarityShared character: each note, noise, mix
Boutique & premium upgrades
Lovepedal Bazooka
Lovepedal
60% similarityShared character: gain, distortion, aggressive playing
Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza
Boss
56% similarityShared character: noise, mix, clarity
Wren and Cuff Eye See 78
Wren And Cuff
53% similarityShared character: gain, aggressive playing, lead
Wampler Dracarys
Wampler
53% similarityShared character: noise, metal, clarity
Friedman BE-OD
Friedman
52% similarityShared character: metal, mix, gain
Fuzzrocious Dark Driving V3
Fuzzrocious
51% similarityShared character: gain, aggressive playing, lead
Similar character
Black Arts Toneworks Dual Revelation Custom
Black Arts Toneworks
54% similarityShared character: gain, distortion, aggressive playing
Spermophilus Effects GasMask
Spermophilus Effects
51% similarityShared character: noise, gain, distortion
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold
EarthQuaker Devices
49% similarityShared character: clarity, gain, distortion
Death By Audio Interstellar Overdrive
Death By Audio
49% similarityShared character: each note, distortion, aggressive playing
See all alternatives to the Boss ML-2 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Boss ML-2?+
The closest matches in character are the Black Arts Toneworks Dual Revelation Custom, the Spermophilus Effects GasMask, the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold. Budget picks: Tone City Noisy Boy, Fender Hammertone Metal, TC Electronic Fangs Metal Distortion. Boutique upgrades: Lovepedal Bazooka, Boss HM-2W Heavy Metal Waza, Wren and Cuff Eye See 78.
What pairs well with the Boss ML-2?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head, Soldano Astro-20 Head, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Revv Generator G20 20-Watt 2-Channel Tube Head's own high gain character is the real reason this is worth trying.
How much does the Boss ML-2 cost?+
Around $100.42 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).