Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: JJretroTONEGOD on December 05, 2007, 01:26:58 AM

Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on December 05, 2007, 01:26:58 AM
I'm looking to get the ultimate booster pedal for christmas this year, and I don't know which will be more usefull

There's the keeley TMB:

http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=37

or the Keeley Java Boost:

http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=3

I'm not sure about which one to choose, because if I get the TMB, there is no way of changing the EQ settings, but if I get the Java then I can make it a treble, mid, or full range booster, but with the java I won't get the modern boost as an extra.

The TMB seems like better value for money too, with it having 2 boosts in one pedal.

Which one would you choose?
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: horsehead on December 05, 2007, 06:47:28 AM
personally I'd go for the Java as it, like me, is a lot more simple! I guess it depends on what sort of music your gonna play?
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Twinfan on December 05, 2007, 09:54:18 AM
Have you considered the Phil Hilborne Booster instead?  It's an awesome booster pedal with internal dip switches to change the character.  £135 and it does everything.  I have one as my backup or standalone booster in my gig case.  It depends if you need to switch settings between songs (Keeley wins) or if you want to set a pedal up for one type of boost and leave it there (the Hilborne booster works well for this).

Check out the review here:

http://www.thundertomate.com/guitarbuyer.pdf
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Mr Ed on December 05, 2007, 10:08:13 AM
Out of those two, the Java Boost.

However, consider the Ego Booster from Smart People Factory (http://www.smartpeoplefactory.com/).
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: hunter on December 05, 2007, 12:20:53 PM
Trust me, get the Xotic RC booster. Once you have it you will never wanna switch it off again.

It does what a booster should: Give you more of everything.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: kevincurtis on December 05, 2007, 12:22:30 PM
Quote from: hunter
Trust me, get the Xotic RC booster. Once you have it you will never wanna switch it off again.

It does what a booster should: Give you more of everything.


+1 for me - really transparent, but gives a hell of a kick :)
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: froglord on December 05, 2007, 01:58:27 PM
Quote from: kevincurtis
Quote from: hunter
Trust me, get the Xotic RC booster. Once you have it you will never wanna switch it off again.

It does what a booster should: Give you more of everything.


+1 for me - really transparent, but gives a hell of a kick :)


Another vote from the Xotic Effects Fan Club. The RC is part of your amp - you just don't know it yet. Boost, mild gain and two-band EQ all in one box. Luscious.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on December 05, 2007, 03:35:28 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Have you considered the Phil Hilborne Booster instead?  It's an awesome booster pedal with internal dip switches to change the character.  

The Phil Hilborne booster is the most transparent, yet sublimely musical, boost pedal I've yet encountered!

Not cheap, especially with the current state of the dollar, but I've not enjoyed a boost like this one, and I own several boutique boost pedals including Fulltone, HBE, and BroTech.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: blue on December 05, 2007, 03:59:32 PM
i've got the Phil Hilborne Fat TB as well, and it really does sound fabulous! i can't comment on how it compares to the other boosters mentioned, as i've never tried any of those, but i'd be amazed if they sound any better.  and the row of dip switches inside is great for tuning the pedal to suit your rig.  but it sounds great even before you touch them, and is more versatile than most already with it's "cut" control.  before i bought it, it did seem expensive compared to various overdrives and distortions, which seemed to do more, but since i've got it i haven't felt the need to use an overdrive!
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Vision pedalboards on December 05, 2007, 07:04:53 PM
Dont piss about with the Keeley ones. . The Xotic RC booster blows any other away!

Rothwell Audio do a very nice clean boost / buffer too. . Atomic booster is the name i think.

Mark
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: AngusYoung01 on December 05, 2007, 09:24:46 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Have you considered the Phil Hilborne Booster instead?  It's an awesome booster pedal with internal dip switches to change the character.  £135 and it does everything.  I have one as my backup or standalone booster in my gig case.  It depends if you need to switch settings between songs (Keeley wins) or if you want to set a pedal up for one type of boost and leave it there (the Hilborne booster works well for this).

Check out the review here:

http://www.thundertomate.com/guitarbuyer.pdf


Got there before me  :P
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: DeanS on December 08, 2007, 09:56:19 AM
I have the Phil Holbourne booster as well as the Xotic RC and IMO the Xotic is in a different league...................
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2007, 12:13:24 PM
Vauxhall Conference?

:lol:
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: froglord on December 08, 2007, 12:24:53 PM
JJretro, you're in Stockport? That's only a few miles from Sounds Great Music in Heald Green. I was there recently and they stock the RC Booster. Thoroughly decent bunch of chaps too. Get thee down there and give it a whirl!
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Adam.M on December 08, 2007, 12:35:09 PM
+1 for the Xotic's boosters.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: horsehead on December 08, 2007, 06:42:52 PM
just out of interest what is the general concensus on the Seymour Duncan booster?
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Twinfan on December 08, 2007, 06:46:56 PM
A friend of mine loves his, but I've not tried it.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: hunter on December 08, 2007, 10:21:14 PM
If you have a chance to get there, or a friend is travelling to the US, get the RC over there, it's just 175 $ and you will save around 40%
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on December 09, 2007, 08:44:01 PM
Quote from: froglord
JJretro, you're in Stockport? That's only a few miles from Sounds Great Music in Heald Green. I was there recently and they stock the RC Booster. Thoroughly decent bunch of chaps too. Get thee down there and give it a whirl!


yeah, I used to go in there all the time, it's my favourtie shop, but as far as pedal prices, very expensive, compared to ebay, or ordering stuff from america, I might go in, just to compare the Phil booster against the TMB and the Java, because they probably stock them all!

anyway, interesting how this phil thingy pedal seems to win you guys over even compared to keeley, thanks for all the usefull info, it's really helped.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2007, 08:54:26 PM
They haven't got the Phil Hilborne Booster, but I have one.  If you ask nicely I could meet you there and bring it with me  ;)
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: hunter on December 09, 2007, 11:15:21 PM
Say Twinfan, how does that BOR of yours do as a booster?
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2007, 11:23:04 PM
It's not bad at all - quite a transparent boost, with a slight treble increase though.  Pretty good to be honest.

I used to like the distortion side, but it doesn't work very well with my current rig as it makes too bright.  It's a good pedal for giving character to a bland amp though.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on December 11, 2007, 01:43:18 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
They haven't got the Phil Hilborne Booster, but I have one.  If you ask nicely I could meet you there and bring it with me  ;)


That would be really good, I'll get in touch when the right moment turns up.
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on December 11, 2007, 01:49:01 PM
I've also been looking at Zvex pedals, and I really like this one called 'the machine' it's not like a normal booster though, kind of makes your guitar sound like a horrid chainsaw. I'm still thinking the TMB is no1 choice so far, the zvex 2 in 1 super duper comes close, but it's not quite the right sound, the TMB has a much clearer transparent boost, and the vintage channel seems to sound better, but still looking!
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: Gizmo on December 13, 2007, 08:52:37 AM
Anyone tried the Fulltone booster pedal?

Just got a heads up email that the first batch of the new version 2 fulltone booster pedals are arriving in the UK. prob worth a look. plus they're now bright red, not the dull grey!
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: indysmith on December 13, 2007, 10:07:45 AM
I have a Fulltone Fat Boost 1. I love it -use it every day. It can be set up as a very pure boost, or yu can really add some very valve-like hair onto your tone if yu like (the FETs it boosts with clip to give second and third order harmonics on the sound)
I'd upload a clip but i can't find anywhere that will let me...

EDIT: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ANY6ZQOY
Pretty bad quality clip (windows sound recorder, and PC mic; but it gives the general idea), also yu have to wait a minute til it lets you download it which is damn annoying. sorry!
Title: Boosters! Which one is better?
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on December 13, 2007, 01:33:49 PM
The Fat Boost is a very nice pedal, but it's not tonally transparent. It has a midrange boost that is pretty subtle, but it's there. The HBE Uno Mos/Dos Mos has more gain, is more versatile, and is much more transparent. The Phil Hilborne is more transparent yet. (I own all 3)