Boost for an 800

[SGFanatic]

I've searched and can't find what I'm looking for.
What are you guys using to boost your JCM800's?
I find the TS style (stock) and the OCD are a little congested (maybe compression) for my liking.
I'm in search of a more open sounding od/boost for the front end. My amp has kt88s, not el34. Looking for a clean-ish but crunchy growl, if that makes sense. Any first hand experience would be appreciated. I just don't want to go through $1000 worth of pedals before I find what I want.

 

[Liko]

Re: Boost for an 800

You probably want a clean boost, something that will naturally give the amp the nudge into breakup without adding its own dirt.

The TC Electronic Spark Mini is a nice little booster pedal, nothing fancy, just works. If you find you want a pedal with some grit, you can keep the spark and use it as a solo boost.

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[Lampy H]

Re: Boost for an 800

Maybe even something like a Naga Viper from Catalinbread.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Boost for an 800

try a fulldrive 2 mosfet. You can switch off the clipping in "comp cut" mode so it just gives you a clean boost that still has the eq trimmed to push your leads through the marshall crunch. Having the dual stage boost is also useful for when you want more push of those high single notes up the neck. I have found the fd2 to be excellent with master volume marshalls. They are also pretty easy to score on the second hand market for surprisingly little money. Maybe because they are not the latest fancy coloured flavour of the month. The other great thing is that you can flip a switch or two and get that compressed classic sd-1 or tubescreamer sound (if you ever find you want it). My fave is the classic (mid boost) mode with the mosfet option engaged. However, it is quite a swiss army knife for leads boosts.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Boost for an 800

I tried a handful of great OD pedals to boost my 2203X and my favorite was the OCD. It just seemed to make it roar and was very dynamic. I used low-gain/high-volume pedal settings to make it like a TS9. But I also had a regular and an "ultimate mod" TS9 at the time and ended-up selling both because I preferred the OCD. It also made my Shiva roar as well.

You might also check out the new Bogner OD pedals. I've got a Harlow and I use it to boost the clean channel (max gain) on my Friedman Smallbox to flat-out NAIL early EVH tones from VH1 through Fair Warning. It's awesome. If you kept the gain on the 800 at noon or lower, I bet the Harlow would be awesome on the Marshall as well.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Boost for an 800

Thanks guys. I might take these suggestions and go to GC. I'll just purchase and return till I find one. I'll give the OCD a try. My bass player has one for his guitar rig. I like the OCD, just afraid of too much gain.

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Boost for an 800

The demos for this pedal are great. I'm curious how it sounds live.

Maybe even something like a Naga Viper from Catalinbread.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Boost for an 800

try a fulldrive 2 mosfet. You can switch off the clipping in "comp cut" mode so it just gives you a clean boost that still has the eq trimmed to push your leads through the marshall crunch. Having the dual stage boost is also useful for when you want more push of those high single notes up the neck. I have found the fd2 to be excellent with master volume marshalls. They are also pretty easy to score on the second hand market for surprisingly little money. Maybe because they are not the latest fancy coloured flavour of the month. The other great thing is that you can flip a switch or two and get that compressed classic sd-1 or tubescreamer sound (if you ever find you want it). My fave is the classic (mid boost) mode with the mosfet option engaged. However, it is quite a swiss army knife for leads boosts.

+1 on the Fulldrive 2 Mosfet. It does everything from clean boost to overdrive and the tone doesn't add any EQ it's just a presence knob.
I went thru 6 overdrive pedals before I settled on the Fulldrive 2 Mosfet. It is fantastic!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Boost for an 800

I used to use a Fulltone Fat Boost or Full Drive to boost my 800.

Sounded like this

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Boost for an 800

try a fulldrive 2 mosfet. You can switch off the clipping in "comp cut" mode so it just gives you a clean boost that still has the eq trimmed to push your leads through the marshall crunch. Having the dual stage boost is also useful for when you want more push of those high single notes up the neck. I have found the fd2 to be excellent with master volume marshalls. They are also pretty easy to score on the second hand market for surprisingly little money. Maybe because they are not the latest fancy coloured flavour of the month. The other great thing is that you can flip a switch or two and get that compressed classic sd-1 or tubescreamer sound (if you ever find you want it). My fave is the classic (mid boost) mode with the mosfet option engaged. However, it is quite a swiss army knife for leads boosts.

This pedal looks cool too, and you're not the first to recommend it. I do like the tube screamer, however a lot of them sound nasally with a Marshall.


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[Mincer]

Re: Boost for an 800

I either use our Pickup Booster, which provides 25 dB clean boost, or our 805 Overdrive, which is sort of a TS-style with more gain range and 3 band active EQ controls.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Boost for an 800

I'm a big fan of the Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, and Sparkle Drive Mod. They're based on the TS-808, but also have the ability to blend the clean signal back in, or just be used as a clean boost. The Mod version also adds three additional voicing that can help get rid of the nasal sound and/or add more gain and low end

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Boost for an 800

A couple of things.. First, you are concerned about the ocd having too much gain? you can control the gain. my board currently has an OCD and a Green Rhino and I run a Splawn quickrod and/or a JCM 800. Another idea that use with the splawn is an MXR 10 band eq. It has volume and gain controls so you can add more hair if you want, or just volume. since the QR has plenty of gain, I set the EQ with a raised mid config, set the volume just slightly higher than the amp and by doing that, I can play a lead and it stands out just alittle more than the normal amp tone

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Boost for an 800

For an '80s amp, use an '80s pedal to boost it. My favorites (in descending order):

• Boss GE-7
• Boss SD-1
• ProCo Rat

All are plentiful on the used market. Try them before you jump down that expensive booteek rabbit hole.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Boost for an 800

If you want a purely clean boost nothing beats the TC Electronic Spark pedals. I have a Mini and absolutely adore it. I use the momentary switch function on it a bunch.

If you want something that adds color and a bit of dirt but you find regular overdrives congested scope out the Duncan 805. The EQ section on it will be a big help for you. I don't have congestion issues with my MXR Classic Overdrives (plural because I use two) but I have an 805 I'm adding to the board, too, for different tones.

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: Boost for an 800

Have you tried a Timmy or a Klon (Klone) in front of your 800? They are both like TS pedals (boost + compression + mid eq hump) with more subtle distortion. In terms of effect on your signal I would say it would be clean boost < Klon < Timmy < TS.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Boost for an 800

Thanks guys. I might take these suggestions and go to GC. I'll just purchase and return till I find one. I'll give the OCD a try. My bass player has one for his guitar rig. I like the OCD, just afraid of too much gain.

I always ran the gain on my OCD at 9:00 or even lower... to the point of almost being totally off. On the other hand, I ran the volume control on the pedal always between 3:00 and and all the way up. So you're not using the OCD's gain, (why do that, when you've got a fire-breathing beast in the JCM800). But you are using it to add punch, dynamics, a little compression... and just using it to flat-out PI$$ off the Marshall.

In terms of a good clean boost to try, I have a Cusack More Louder that I sometimes use to add punch to my Smallbox.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Boost for an 800

I like the OCD, just afraid of too much gain.

So turn down the gain!

I know you said you don't like TS style but my TS808 is on 90% of the time with my 800's (EL34's mind you), I have a SD-1 for backup too. I agree with trying what guys were using back then with it, especially if that's the sort of idea you are going for.

How are you using it? I don't like any OD with my 800 with the pedal gain past noon. Generally, I have level cranked and distortion at 0 with my preamp gain on the amp around the 7 area. Experiment with WHERE your gain is coming from. More from amp/ pedal etc. Also keep in mind that your going to naturally add compression when slamming the front of the amp harder.

Good luck and report your findings!

 

[SGFanatic]

Re: Boost for an 800

For an '80s amp, use an '80s pedal to boost it. My favorites (in descending order):

• Boss GE-7
• Boss SD-1
• ProCo Rat

All are plentiful on the used market. Try them before you jump down that expensive booteek rabbit hole.

I was thinking that too. I've been checking out the Waza Craft Overdrives, and I haven't even considered the Rat. I liked that pedal.


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[SGFanatic]

Re: Boost for an 800

So turn down the gain!

I know you said you don't like TS style but my TS808 is on 90% of the time with my 800's (EL34's mind you), I have a SD-1 for backup too. I agree with trying what guys were using back then with it, especially if that's the sort of idea you are going for.

How are you using it? I don't like any OD with my 800 with the pedal gain past noon. Generally, I have level cranked and distortion at 0 with my preamp gain on the amp around the 7 area. Experiment with WHERE your gain is coming from. More from amp/ pedal etc. Also keep in mind that your going to naturally add compression when slamming the front of the amp harder.

Good luck and report your findings!

You know, the head is almost there with the gain I want. So I guess it would be mostly from the head, then a push from the pedal.


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