Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 05:33:53 PM

Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 05:33:53 PM
hi,

I did a gig last night with a friends wylde OD in front of my JCM800 and it wasnt all that godd i gotta say, someone said when i switched it on the first time my lovly JCM sounded like a valvestate!!! so i didnt use it again.

So anyway are people verdicts on clean boost pedal, they just boost your pickups signal and dont add any colour to you tone right? also over driving a valve amp in process?

which are the best ones for which job?

i have found Fulltone FAT boost, Zvex Super Hard On and Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster, which of these is best suited to rock and thrash metal??
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on March 31, 2006, 05:40:45 PM
Hi FiXXXer,

I use a HBE Dos Mos in front of an amp for added push. You can also used the scaled down Uno Mos. I used to use a Fulltone Fat Boost, but it was too coloured.

I used it in front of a Diezel VH-4 last week. PhilKing was there, he can confirm  the improvement with  the boost. It's like night & day!!
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: _tom_ on March 31, 2006, 06:04:04 PM
Maxon OD-9.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on March 31, 2006, 06:06:12 PM
Quote from: _tom_
Maxon OD-9.

FAR from transparent, tom.

If you want an inexpensive boost option, I would recommend the BOSS GE-7.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: _tom_ on March 31, 2006, 06:12:31 PM
Yeah they sound awesome though, if the BK Nailbomb clip is anything to go by  :D
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Searcher on March 31, 2006, 06:21:54 PM
How about the Xotic RC Booster?  To be honest I haven't used one, but I've heard many good things about them.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 06:32:34 PM
catalinbread chile picoso....?
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 07:29:18 PM
Tom OD9 is like the wylde OD just different casing lol,

gunna check out HBE Dos Mos on harmony central see what ppl say about them
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 07:34:17 PM
never tried one but the catalinbread i mentioend above has like 35 decibels of boost.....
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: PhilKing on March 31, 2006, 07:34:35 PM
I've got to back Ben up on the DOS MOS, great sound with the buffer (the battery ran out and the sound suddenly sucked!).

As another alternative, look at using a Rangemaster boost (so many guys from the 60's used them, it is probably easier to say who didn't!).

I also like the Boss Blues Driver and the Blackstone Overdrive, but these are not clean powerboosters, but will make your guitar cut through.  Having heard the Duncan Pickup Booster, all I can say is 'not impressed'.  

Another option is the Burford Solo/Master pedal http://www.projectguitarparts.co.uk/Pages/electronics.htm.  This works in a totally different way to the others.  It is passive and you set your lead sound first, then swich this in for your clean sound.  Having used a lot of Alan's stuff, i can tell you it is all really quiet and does what it says.  So if your lead tone on the amp is good, this might be the best option.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 07:41:01 PM
Wow thanks PhilKing you sound like the perfect person for this topic, im looking at all the boosters you have mensioned!

a treble booster dont they make higher notes have more volume???

If you could explain what adsactly a treb boostewr is that would be great becuae it has been bugging me for a while now.

Also will these clean boosts work going into the boost channel on my JCM? all i it for really is a volume increase and maybe slighly more overdrive for solos.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 07:43:09 PM
^^ *whispers in ear* look at the bloody catalinbread you fool!  :lol:

http://www.infinityguitars.com/Catalinbread/Chili_p.jpg
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 07:57:06 PM
looking at the catalinbread now, just like a voice in my head told me
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 07:58:53 PM
:roll:
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 08:02:56 PM
ok i rephase,

 like the great sambo said  :P
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 08:10:37 PM
:D
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 08:11:43 PM
ok but seriously,  :lol: , i think it could work for you well... like i said i havent actually got one but am getting one very soon.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 08:19:40 PM
could you let me know what its like when you get it please,

harmony central ppl like it 10/10 but that out of 4 reviews.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 08:21:04 PM
yer ive read some reviews that seem to like it elsewhere too...

ill report back soon.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: willo on March 31, 2006, 08:22:45 PM
Quote from: FiXXXeR
could you let me know what its like when you get it please,

harmony central ppl like it 10/10 but that out of 4 reviews.


I think I did one of those reviews...what do you want to know?
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 08:23:22 PM
oh yeah willo im getting my dad to do the payment RIGHT now... what info do i need to know to pay you?
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Tinus on March 31, 2006, 10:01:03 PM
Clean boosts seem to be much better in getting more drive from an existing good sounding amp than any OD I've heard so I like 'em. I've been using a Banzai New Rising Sun II for boost since a few years and it's nice. There are two footswitchable boosts with separate volumes and a switchable buffer amp which is nice to work with. When I got it I tested it against a Zvex SHO, Xotic AC and RC boosters, the Fatboost and a Crowther Hotcake. The Banzai sounded most natural to me, ie full range boost without colouration. If you don't need any tonal options this would work well for higher gain styles.

I wouldn't get the Zvex SHO because it adds alot of sparkle which is nice for '60ies pop but not so for brutal metal/thrash. I'd suggest trying the Xotic BB preamp because it offers a broad tonal range and huge clean gain boost. It can also add some extra drive with that if you prefer that. The RC and AC are also nice but a bit mellower.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on March 31, 2006, 10:07:54 PM
Great post, Tinus. Very informative!!

Bonzai's pedals are great.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 10:13:10 PM
[Great post, Tinus. Very informative!!

Bonzai's pedals are great.]


I second that thankyou dude[/quote]
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 10:15:45 PM
Quote
Great post, Tinus. Very informative!!

Bonzai's pedals are great.



I second that, thanks dude.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on March 31, 2006, 10:33:19 PM
so what is huge diffenrence between clean boosts and treble boosters???
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: sambo on March 31, 2006, 10:35:45 PM
treble boosters boost treble and clean boosters boost volume...

treble boosts just give you more cut im guessing? ben, phil?
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on March 31, 2006, 10:41:09 PM
Quote from: FiXXXeR
so what is huge diffenrence between clean boosts and treble boosters???

There are different kinds of treble boosters.
In it's most basic incarnation, a treble boost has a VERY exaggerated Q that gives an overall bost, as well as boosting freqs starting about 12kHz. (Does that sound right, Phil?)

A clean boost is full range, and many manufacturers are very free and easy with the term 'clean'. I've found many boosts to be very euphonic.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: PhilKing on March 31, 2006, 10:48:10 PM
Basically Sambo is right, but the Rangemaster has a particular sweet spot in the boost, which gives a really nice bite to the drive too.  My Rangemaster has a switch to change from Treble boost to Full-Range, so it is really both boosters in one.  It is made by Tone-Man (http://www.tone-man.com/rangemaster.htm) and the description of the sound is:

This is an exact electronic reproduction of the original unit built by Johnny Dallas in the U.K. in the mid sixties. It is a Treble/Gain booster. New as of 11-15-98, the Range Master now comes with True Bypass featuring the Fulltone 3PDT Switch. As well, I now offer a model that's a fullrange gain boost like Tommy Iommi used in early Black Sabbith recordings to over drive the front of his Laney's. What's it sound like? It's "That Tone" that Eric Clapton got on the 1966 album "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton" or Rory Gallagher's tone and can also do a great job of duplicating Brian May's tone that he got with Queen. This is a hand built, point to point wired unit using carbon comp resistors, original type mylar caps, Fulltone 3PDT Switch, status LED and a germanium transistor. It will give you a nice boost to the front of your amp and offer harmonics that often elude you. It's that vintage sixties British blues tone. The first one to purchase a Rangemaster was Laurence Juber. Laurence was with Paul McCartney's band "Wings" and is now living in Los Angeles doing sessions and is an amazing guitarist with several solo albums out.

There are sound bytes on the web page.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: froglord on March 31, 2006, 11:50:12 PM
Really love my RC Booster. Can act as a clean boost, treble boost, bass boost or mild overdrive. Not completely transparent (is anything?) but it tightens the bass slightly and sweetens the treble in a very musical way.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Kilby on April 01, 2006, 12:21:03 PM
The Rangemaster and the Vox Treble & Bass boosters where the babies.

There are a few of the Vox units for sale in Denmark St ATM

As for clean boost it is worth trying the Marshall Bluesbreaker 2 which has a clean boost mode, and is pretty transparent, and inexpensive.

You can throw it into regular overdrive mode too, which clips the signal in a quite pleasent way.

Rob...
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Brow on April 01, 2006, 02:10:25 PM
As far as clean boosts go I've owned the Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster, Fulltone Fat Boost (1st version, and also formerly owned by TO) and a ZVex Super Duper (2 SHOs in 1 box).

I currently use the Fat Boost at the end of my signal chain as a volume boost for solos, and use the SHO for pushing the front end of the amp harder.

I sold the Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster as I preferred the Fat Boost and Super Duper.
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Skybone on April 01, 2006, 05:35:15 PM
For my tuppence ha'penny's worth, the Fulltone FatBoost sounds great in front of a JCM800 (especially with some great sounding pickups).
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: Spook Fish on April 03, 2006, 10:43:01 AM
I currently use a Barber Launch Pad as a clean boost (+20db) and has all the boost you will ever need and is totally hand - made true by-pass.

also doubles up as DI box which is handy.
CMATMODS also does a cool boost but it aint clean, just fattens everything up.

CMATMODS sells pedals on Ebay and has his own site, check him out.
he does Ross Compressor Clone, about 3 different overdrives, Analog chorus, dealys, just about any custom made 1 at a time pedal in a finish you select.

prices are darn good too.

another one to check is ARAMAT effect pedals. top quality

BARBER ELECTRONICS
CMATMODS
ARAMAT

Google that guvnor and check it out
Title: Clean Boost Pedals
Post by: FiXXXeR on April 03, 2006, 11:39:20 PM
Quote
I currently use a Barber Launch Pad as a clean boost (+20db) and has all the boost you will ever need and is totally hand - made true by-pass.

also doubles up as DI box which is handy.
CMATMODS also does a cool boost but it aint clean, just fattens everything up.

CMATMODS sells pedals on Ebay and has his own site, check him out.
he does Ross Compressor Clone, about 3 different overdrives, Analog chorus, dealys, just about any custom made 1 at a time pedal in a finish you select.

prices are darn good too.

another one to check is ARAMAT effect pedals. top quality

BARBER ELECTRONICS
CMATMODS
ARAMAT

Google that guvnor and check it out




Wow, thanks for all the info im going go and check it all out now  :twisted: