Boost Question

[Billy Gibbons]

I've been wondering if it would be worth it to get a couple boost pedals. Or if I should instead get an EQ pedal. My two main amps are an Orange and a Fender. So a thick amp, and a brighter one. What I want is one pedal for a basic treble boost, and another as kinda the opposite. A thickener, or fattener to add some meat to a bright amp. Both being versatile enough to set and forget with whatever amp I happen to bring home, as well as work well stacked together for a kind of a "more of everything" sound. Using them in front of an overdriven amp to push it over the edge.

Pedals I've thought about are:
Catalinbread Naga Viper
Fulltone Fat Boost
SD Pickup Booster
MXR EQ

I'm gravitating away from the EQ because neither of my amps have an FX loop, and I'm not sure that would be optimal for what I want. What do you guys recommend? I use guitars with singles and humbuckers, so it'd be nice if they got along well with both.

Thanks guys!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Boost Question

I love boosts and have a few:

Naga Viper
Nick Greer Sweetback Driver
Thundertomate Fat Boost
z.vex SHO
AnalogMan Beano Boost

They all sound different and do different things. What you you looking for? A dead clean boost? Something with several EQ curves? A dirty boost?

 

[Billy Gibbons]

Re: Boost Question

One dedicated treble booster. Another as a dedicated low booster. To place in front of an already overdriven amp to push it a little further.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Re: Boost Question

If you are good with a soldering iron, then the ehx lpb1 is a good choice. Lower the input and output caps slightly and it's a great pedal. Otherwise I've had really good luck with the sho. Really expensive. But it's also on a couple other pedals. I think it's on the Box of Rock and the Distortron. For about the same price. I like the box of rock. Good low end.

 

[trevorus]

Re: Boost Question

Heh, I've got a little expertise here. I've built both a SHO clone and a Box of Rock. I do love the SHO. it's really nice. Another one to look for is a Durham Sex Drive. The LPB-1 always added too much treble to me. I may rebuilt mine again, not sure. I'll likely build one with a treble control.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Boost Question

When trying to push my Bossinger HM2 clone, I've been using an Bossinger FZ2 clone set to boost and have been liking it way more than the SHO clone and the Mantic Effects Density Brute I have for for guitar. The EQ is very responsive, as is the gain control, adding a certain saturated sizzle to the sound. I guess Orgy used to use the FZ2 as a boost for the same reason.
I still have yet to put the Mantic in front of a bass amp while playing a bass. I need to take a trip to guitar center one of these days and see if I can blow up an Acoustic amp.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Boost Question

If you're willing to make it yourself, this will get you home:

http://diystrat.blogspot.com/2011/05/building-quick-brian-may-style-treble.html

It works GREAT for thickening a sound, or making a brighter sound at the flick of a switch.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Boost Question

Dude buy an EQ pedal.

Im obssessed with my MXR 10 band

When i play with the band, its in the loop of my Dark Terror

For recording its always either in the loop of my Diavlo 5 or uP front of my Class 5

I prefer the class 5 with just a Tube Screamer and delay tho, the on board EQ is so responsive

Also, u wana boost your lows,mids and low mids? EQ will do itup!!!!

 

[hermetico]

Re: Boost Question

to boost trebles (well, to enhance the sound in an undescriptible way) you can go for the Xotic EP Booster.
to boost lows, you can do it in two different ways. Lowering the highs, with a TS-alike pedal. Highly recommended the Mad Professor Little Green Wonder here.
Or, if you really want to push your low end, you need an active EQ pedal and, for this, the MXR 10 bands is awesome.