What is the Boss SL-2 Slicer?
A tremolo pedal with complex rhythm patterns and filtering
The Boss SL-2 Slicer is technically a tremolo pedal, but with some very modern and complex rhythm structures. These create a more pulsating sound than vintage tremolo with a very percussive and customizable pattern.

The Boss SL-2 Slicer is actually a bit difficult to categorize. Technically, it's a tremolo pedal, but also incorporates the following qualities:
- Audio pattern processing (rhythm patterns)
- Modulation
- Pitch-shifting
- Filtering
I think an accurate description would be that it's a modulation/filter combination effect. Yet the most distinctive feature is the rhythm patterns it can generate. To me it sounds like a tremolo that's behaving like a drum machine.

What it sounds like
Boss's own demo is a good place to start.
You can hear that the SL-2 is "slicing" your sound into percussive patterns. There's also just a lot of sounds that are hard to categorize.
You'll even hear things that sound like an organ, and you can definitely get synth-like tones out of it. But the defining characteristic is the patterns and rhythms. It's honestly not like any other pedal, at least not in the Boss lineup, aside from its predecessor the Boss SL-20.
Read more: The Boss SL-20
The SL-2 is basically a small-form and condensed version of the original SL-20.
Who could make use of it
There's nothing traditional about the SL-2. It's modern through and through, and probably wouldn't even be called a tremolo pedal by anyone used to the more traditional tremolo sound.
This pedal is for someone looking to expand their electric guitar in a more modern direction, perhaps in new wave rock/metal, pop, or any applicable sub-genres.
Techno, electronic, dubstep, and similar musical styles - perhaps obviously - are also excellent fits.
Classic rock and blues need not apply.
What does it cost?
These tables have live pricing for the Boss SL-2 from popular vendors, including Sweetwater and Guitar Center. Note the pricing is subject to change, though the numbers you see here should be current.
Prices updated on Tue, October 03rd, 2023.
Amazon Pricing
Pricing from Multiple Vendors
Price Alert (lowest price among vendors, Amazon excluded)
Price History (lowest price among vendors, Amazon excluded)
Price History for Boss SL-2 Slicer Pedal
Statistics
Current Price | $169.99 | September 26, 2023 |
Highest Price | $169.99 | February 14, 2023 |
Lowest Price | $169.99 | February 14, 2023 |
Last price changes
$169.99 | February 14, 2023 |
Other SL-2 features
Other notable features of the SL-2 include MIDI compatibility, stereo i/o, onboard tap tempo, and an expression pedal connection.
Read more: Guitar Pedals with MIDI Compatibility
We'd highly recommend using an expression pedal for this one, since it's so dependent on rhythmic patterns. You'll want to be able to set those on the fly, and holding the pedal down before being able to set a tempo is fine, but not ideal.
Buffered bypass (the Boss pedal norm) and a USB connection for interfacing with the Boss Tone Studio software are also included.
Conclusion
We love that the Boss SL-2 Slicer has expanded the capabilities of the tremolo effect persona. If it catches on, we'd expect to see similar pedals crop up from other brands. If you want to expand your sound, the SL-2 will do it in a hurry.
For fans of rhythmic patterns and styles, it's a good value that will give you your money's worth.
For questions about the SL-2 and/or comments, jump in via the comments section below and we'll help out as much as possible.
Thanks for hanging out with us.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Reviews
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Pedals & Comparisons
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