« Very helpful ally against single-coil hum »

I love my NS-2. Single-coil pickups (IMHO) have a purer sinusoidal waveform than humbuckers since a humbucker has two rows of pickups which are slightly out of phase but then combined. However, single-coils are noisy (60-cycle hum from lights, etc.). What to do? NS-2! Techy point: the unit can be noisy (less effective) with some power supplies so be careful about that (see below).

UTILIZATION

nobs are a little mysterious but not really a problem. I use it so my soft passages are free of 60-cycle hum. Ever hear Buddy Guy live? Quiet passages can be real attention getters.

SOUND QUALITY

Mainly 2 "Strat" clones: both single-coiled ChordBenders, one in Nashville tuning (which I think of as "mandolin sound" & just have to use as sonic spice).

OVERALL OPINION

Boss regulates the price but some NS-2 dealers offer free stuff (like a power supply that actually gets along with the NS-2) so include “free” when you Google for where to buy one. The knobs control a lowest usable volume & once your signal falls below that you get silence so balance that limitation with noise control. Very sturdy. My effects board has a noise controller but the NS-2 is much better.