Clean boost/Buffer pedals

FretFire

SingedFingerologist
Anyone have experience/comments regarding the VHT Valvulator, ZVex Super Hard On, or Catalinbread Super Chili Picoso? I'm reading up on pedals that can act as a buffer before a pedal board, and these seem to be the main three contenders.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

Anyone? So far the Catalinbread looks the best, as it's the cheapest ;).
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

i can tell you all about the super hard on in a few days, i just got one. but i think you may want to put it after the other pedals cause it is very high volume, and should distort some other pedals. I could be wrong about this but... we will find out cause i will put it in front of my fuzz factory, just to see what it does.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

Well, if I'm just using these as a buffer, wouldn't I have the gain turned all the way down? Of course with it turned up it will *basically* act as an overdrive when cranked, and otherwise will provide dB boost...
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I believe (& someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the zvex sho & the Chili Picoso clean boosts do different things than a buffer would.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

The Catalinbread site says that the Chili Pocoso can be used as a line buffer, but that the gain knob must be all the way down to do so. Again, I've only started reading up on these things so I'm sure there are plenty of you with better knowledge about them :).
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I haven't used any of those, but I have used the MXR Microamp, which I believe is also an op-amp based design. It worked pretty well, but I'm sure these will be better.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I would have to read up on the others to really confirm that seafoamer, i am actually looking at the sho circuit to find out more about it and otehr clean boosts.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I'm mainly just looking for a line buffer since none of my pedals are true bypass, and I run a 15-20' cable both guitar->board and board->amp. Any other products I should look at are welcome, these are just the three I've heard of so far.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I use and have thought about making,The Pure Tone Line Driver/Line Purifier/Impedence Buffer from Visual Sound....I use mine first in line before a large series of pedals and it works great....This unit isn't around anymore,but you might find one on E Bay? I could probably build one also..


PureTone1.jpg


PureTone2.jpg
 
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Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

Very interesting John, how much did you give for yours, or how much would one you make cost, etc. Tell me about the $$$$ man haha. ;)
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

FretFire said:
Very interesting John, how much did you give for yours, or how much would one you make cost, etc. Tell me about the $$$$ man haha. ;)

My bass player gave me the one I Own...I think they sold for around $45 or so...Why not contact Visual Sound and see if they'd make you one or where you could find one? Visual Sound incorporates this circuit into alot of their pedals,so you might look into one of their products? Go to their website and there's some explanation about this buffer and their pedals etc..

John
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

Nice score :). Thanks for the tips, I'll drop them a line and see what they can tell me. Thanks!
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

FretFire said:
Nice score :). Thanks for the tips, I'll drop them a line and see what they can tell me. Thanks!

What they will tell you is that that Pure Tone Buffer is part of their pedal line now more than likely..There's not much to making one,but making the board could be a problem for me?

John
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

Yeah, I'm not expecting them to offer to make me one ;), but I also wouldn't be surprised if they plugged the rest of their pedals. I'll just keep an eye out on Ebay and keep diggin' up info on all of these units.
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

FretFire said:
Yeah, I'm not expecting them to offer to make me one ;), but I also wouldn't be surprised if they plugged the rest of their pedals. I'll just keep an eye out on Ebay and keep diggin' up info on all of these units.

I have everything I'd need to build that pedal here at home,minus the board and the box....It's the board I've never built,but the circuit is pretty easy..

John
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

I got a reply from Visual Sound, pretty much what I expected:

"Hi A.J.,

Thanks for the email. The Pure Tone actually hasn't been made for years,
but it's in all of our pedals. So, if you have a Route 66 or Jekyll & Hyde
at the beginning of your effects chain, it will do the job of the Pure Tone
and a lot more. The other pedals you mentioned are very expensive if all
you need is a buffer or a bit of clean boost.

All the best,
Bob Weil
Visual Sound LLC"



Ah well, the search continues...
 
Re: Clean boost/Buffer pedals

How does the compressor in the Route 66 pedal compare to an MXR compressor? If it's better/about the same, I might sell my MXR and get the Route 66, kill 2 birds with 1 proverbial stone.
 
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