Increased Volume for Soloing?

[Risingforce]

I have been using the fx loop on my Marshall AFD100 for solo volume boosting as it has a +10bd volume boost when I kick it in.

This has been working really well for the Deep Purple band as anything before the amps front input would add more gain which is not what i want, just a louder sound but the same distortion for soloing.

Now that I have the Marshall YJM I need some advice on this guys. I will use pedals infront of the amp to get more distortion out of the plexi where needed.

The amp also has a built in booster/overdrive which adds an incredible amount of extra gain and distortion versiitility but not a massive amount of volume.

For flexibility I need a pedal to go in the fx loop so when I kick it in..all it does is increase the volume of my rhythm tone so I can be heard more clearly on solos. Then I can add front end pedals or the built in booster if I want more gain/ less gain etc..

What would be the best option for this? The new Boss FB-2 looks pretty interesting as allows some tonal shaping if i decide I want more fatness to my soling which would make it more flexible.

Any thought guys?

[Sancho]

A graphic EQ would be your best option. It will even allow you to tailor your tone, maybe enhance a couple of frequencies to make the lead stand out even more.

[_tom_]

I use a Behringer cheapo graphic EQ in the loop and it works perfectly :)

[dave_mc]

a clean boost would probably work too- though a graphic EQ will allow more tonal adjustment.

[Nephilim]

I agree with everyone else. An EQ would be perfect. That's what Slash used when playing his solos, and you can't say his solos didn't cut right through when playing live :P

[witeter]

+1 for Eq. Tom Morello uses one for his solos

[Frank]

I've used a Boss volume pedal since the dawn of time. Bung it between preamp and power amp, set the minimum volume knob somewhere sensible, leave some volume in reserve for the end of gig high volume insanity, remember not to trip over it, job done. Handy for those arty fades into a huge mess of reverb too if that's your thing. And it doubles as an expression pedal if you use synths. Money well spent.

[Risingforce]

So the replacement Marshall YJM has just arrived next to my desk! As such I am going to get a volume booster.

Any thought on which would be better?

I take it the standard boss eq will be decent enough? i have heard that it is a bit noisy though.

Or perhaps the boss volume pedal.

Carl Martin Hydra Boost

Rothwell atomic booster looks good as well http://www.gak.co.uk/en/rothwell-atomic-booster/31094

What do you guys think?

[Sancho]

As a rule I never recommend Boss. In the case of their EQ, I definitely don't recommend it. I've owned it and it is indeed a noisy bugger.
MXR usually gets the job done for me, but their basic EQ pedal doesn't have a volume control.

Word of caution : a boost in the loop has major impact. What ever you use, start with the volume turned down and gently bring it up.

[Risingforce]

Good points

The MXR 10 band eq doesn't llok too bad..gets some great reviews as well

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/mxr-m-108-10-band-graphic-eq/4733

Also the Keely Katana...

I am completely in the dark so really need some good feebback. It would be nice to have some tone shaping and maybe extra gain..but the main purpose for this one is to sit in the effects loop and increase my volume when it comes to solo time!

[Sancho]

The 10 band EQ may be overkill, but if you like to fine tune your sound, it will probably be a very good option.
A simple clean boost may or may not colour the sound, which you may or may not like. Hope that didn't sound too much like politician talk :?

I'll stick with my recommendation of a decent quality EQ. Which rules out the Boss ;)

[Roobubba]

I use the MXR 10 band in the loop (not for solos, just always on for tone shaping and tightening the amp). It's a superb piece of kit and worth every penny!

Roo

[richard]

I used a Boss GE7 in the loop of my Cornford Roadhouse and it was great for more volume with the same gain. Eventually I started to hear an effect on my tone that was very hard to pin down but I didn't care for it. A graphic has a lot of circuitry in it which is superfluous if you only require a volume boost. If I wanted to do the same thing again I would be looking at the many clean boost pedals that claim they have zero effect on the tone.   

[d1dsj]

MXR Micro amp/ CAE line driver works great for me... plenty of volume without much/ if any tonal colouring.