Author Topic: Germanium Treble Boosters in Modern Amps - Necessary? (Read 6580 times)

Elliot · « **on:** October 17, 2006, 09:33:56 AM »

What sort of sound do they give?

As I understand the old Rangemasters were used by Clapton on the Beano album because old valve stuff was too dark sounding (rather like the numerous complaints about the Epi Valve Jnr) - with modern sparkly amps will they be too much?

In my head I am thinking combo of germanium + neck MQ as the ultimate late 60s rythym tone. Through an Vox AD30VT this may be ok as its a bassy boomy amp - but through a Fender BJ, it kinda might be too much.

Twinfan · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2006, 12:16:59 PM »

Just get an EQ pedal ;)

DeanS · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2006, 02:13:13 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

Just get an EQ pedal ;)

I went the EQ pedal route to use with my Harlequin and it certainly 'brightens' things up- however its not the same tone you get with a germanium booster as these really force the amp into submission giving an extra dimension to the drive available. I currently have a BSM RM and an Xotic BB (silicon) and use these with all my amps.

I think if you tried a BSM RM in front of your epi you'd be very suprised/pleased with the result.

Elliot · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:33:55 PM »

err - where did I say I had an epi? I don't want to boost treble in the EQ sense - I wonder if a germanium will give me that late Clapton/Page tone or if in a modern amp (a Vox or an Fender BJ) it will be too much?

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:38:46 PM »

I think Dean was talking to me re. the Epi ;)

With a modern amp you'd need to use the low gain input otherwise the treble will probably rip your head off!

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2006, 04:55:28 PM »

Why don't you buy an old amp or get someone to make one for you sourcing old circuit components?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2006, 06:37:31 PM »

I've made quite a a few Rangemaster pedals - they definately have something other than 'just' a treble boost. You're getting quite healthy gain boost into a valve amp.

:twisted:

DeanS · « **Reply #7 on:** October 17, 2006, 08:33:18 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

err - where did I say I had an epi? I don't want to boost treble in the EQ sense - I wonder if a germanium will give me that late Clapton/Page tone or if in a modern amp (a Vox or an Fender BJ) it will be too much?

Elliot as per Twinfan's comment I meant his Epi. Anyways, the thing with treble boosts is that they do a really good job in compensating for the increase in bass response as a valve amp is progressivley turned up to its max. I've bought various overdrives over the years but stopped using them since I got into treble boosters and just love the sustain and 'crispy' distortion they give without being shrill or over trebly. My favourite is the BSM RM (rangemaster clone) with NOS germanuim chip, so simple as well just a vol pot and footswitch.

Elliot · « **Reply #8 on:** October 17, 2006, 11:12:13 PM »

Cheers Dean - that answers what I was looking for :D

fps_dean · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2006, 05:19:36 AM »

The thing about the treble boosters is that not only does it boost higher frequencies first, but it also pushes the amp into overdrive and often the cleaner amps of old would get bass heavy when boosted so the treble booster concept worked well. They also have some distortion from the transistor as well...

If you had an AC30, get a Keeley Java Boost.

With an AD30, get an EQ pedal.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:23:58 PM »

all this talk of treble boosters has got me interested in making them again. been messing around with the Rangemaster circuit and it's a very tasty tone indeed. got some of my own mods to make the thing more flexible than a straight clone.

:twisted:

screamingdaisy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2006, 11:07:28 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

err - where did I say I had an epi? I don't want to boost treble in the EQ sense - I wonder if a germanium will give me that late Clapton/Page tone or if in a modern amp (a Vox or an Fender BJ) it will be too much?

It'll probably be too much.

As mentioned older British amps (which had very little preamp gain)darkened up and became more and more bass heavy as you drove them harder and harder. Treble boosters were great for this because they boosted the treble.

A pleasant side effect of the Rangemaster was that the germanium transistor would also break up.....you can really hear this on many of Iommi's old solos, particularily when he's on the high strings.

I don't know what kind of amp you're using, but modern sounding amps are usually voiced to compensate for this. What you may end up with is a very trebly sound that sounds like it's missing alot of bottom end.

Skybone · « **Reply #12 on:** October 28, 2006, 11:13:59 PM »

If you want a treble booster, you cannot go far wrong with one of these beauties... ;)

The D*A*M Red Rooster

http://www.stompboxes.co.uk/gpage4.html

Bird · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2006, 11:34:59 PM »

Keeley Java Boost is a lot of fun. 3 different settings, I really like it. :twisted: :twisted:

fps_dean · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2006, 06:06:07 AM »

Quote from: Bird

Keeley Java Boost is a lot of fun. 3 different settings, I really like it. :twisted: :twisted:

That's the way I went too. I like it because you can put it in classic treble boosting mode, or opt to boost mids or everything as well. It also makes a great lead boost in treble mode because it makes the higher notes louder, and through a tube amp it also adds compression.

These things are expensive...

Base price: $230
New Tubes: $240
Repairs including new a new tube socket and 2000v wires: $300.

Total cost: $780.

...but damn it sounded good, and it better for $550 worth of repairs that it caused...