Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on June 13, 2008, 08:43:30 AM
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I'm still not 100% happy with the booster I use on my pedalboard. I recently bought an Xotic RC Booster which I like the tone of, but it just doesn't have enough output level for solo boosts in a band context. I use the booster after my dirt pedals as a level boost, the other pedals are set to have unity output (i.e. no volume boost). The amp is my JTM45 clone set at mid volume (around 3-4) so it's still fairly clean.
What I'm looking for is:
* A booster with LOTS of level available
* The possibility to add some gain, not just a clean booster or EQ
* Must stay tight - no flubby bass
* Not fizzy, not transistor sounding, must give nice smooth singing leads
The best pedal I've found so far is the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1, which has loads of boost and a fattening effect to the tone while still staying tight. The only downsize is the slight fuzzyness of the signal. I don't like fuzz pedals :(
So guys, what pedal am I describing? Tell me what I need to buy.......
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I would sugggest looking at Jack Ormans stuff as most of the boutique boosters are baised on his designs.
http://www.muzique.com/
He may not have what you want but he can steer you in the right direction
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i looked at the xotic range recently after recommendations here. doesn't the RC boost have 20dB of gain, and the BB boost have 30dB?
maybe you already tried the BB, but if not on paper at least it seems as if it might be an option.
i'll be monitoring this thread for myself too ;)
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Thanks Kilby. I'll check that site out.
I'm using the BB as one of my dirt pedals already. Here's the board, and I'm after a replacement for the RC Booster:
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Pedalboard.jpg)
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My SPF Ego Booster has a bucket load of available boost. I tested quite a few clean boosts in the shop and the Ego Booster definately had the lowest noise floor of those I tried. It also has a tone knob, so you can use it as a treble (or bass) boost if you so wish. No extra drive control though - just the extra drive from your amp when you boost it.
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You can try my Rothwell F1 later! :wink:
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Cheers Alan - I'd like to add a bit of dirt withthe booster too though.
Martin - good plan ;)
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my stock answer to this is the Thundertomate Phil Hilborne Fat Treble Booster. magnificent pedal!! the only pedal i always use!
http://www.philhilborne.com/enter.htm
once you click the link go to shop, there's the pedal.
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my stock answer to this is the Thundertomate Phil Hilborne Fat Treble Booster. magnificent pedal!! the only pedal i always use!
http://www.philhilborne.com/enter.htm
once you click the link go to shop, there's the pedal.
do you think this pedal would work with a Marshall 2204 Master Volume head? (being quite a bright amp)
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my stock answer to this is the Thundertomate Phil Hilborne Fat Treble Booster.
Got one. Too flubby in the bass when combined with my other pedals, and fuzzy, if I fatten it with the dip switches. Too thin into a clean amp if I don't. It's designed to boost an already dirty amp, but that's not what I'm doing.
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How about the Keeley Katana boost. Indysmith has/had one I think.
Does this mean you're selling your RC booster then?
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If this is a volume booster for leads/solos, is it going at the end of your pedal chain or in amps FX loop?
If so, something like a HBE Uno Mos (single Channel) or Dos Mos (double channel) Mosfet Pre-amp/Boosts would work fine.
Or, seeing as you mentioned ability to add more gain too, a ZVex Super Duper 2 in 1 would work well because you can cascade the boosts and create drive from the pedal itself.
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+1 on the Zvex Super Duper 2-in-1.
It's an awesome boost pedal and cascaded can hit your amp hard for plenty of gain.
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What about an MXR LineDriver or Micro Amp???
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I think the absolute perfect pedal for your needs is the Keeley Katana Boost, it covers all 4 points you mentioned, and it's seriously LOUD!!! It scared my band mates to death when I first used it lol (I didn't tell them it was new on my pedalboard) plus it is very simple, it has the normal boost, and then the 'grittier' boost, which just adds slightly more beef to the sound with a push/pull knob on the side. It's hands down now my favourite pedal on my board, if I could only have one pedal, this would be it.
check it out, I paid £150 for a brand new one from Sounds Great Music in Heald Green.
http://www.robertkeeley.co.uk/boost_katana.htm
http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=34
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How about a Catalinbread (http://www.catalinbread.com/)? They make a few boosters although I'm not sure how easy they are to get in the UK. Their Super Chili Picoso has 35dB of clean boost.
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How about the Keeley Katana boost. Indysmith has/had one I think.
Does this mean you're selling your RC booster then?
The Katana boost sounds interesting, I'll check it out.
I won't be selling the RC booster, no. I always hang on to pedals I've bought in case I ever need them in the future :)
Thanks for the other booster suggestions too guys, I'll take a look at them all...