Clean Boost Suggestions

[Gtrjunior]

I'm looking for a clean boost to pair up with a Splawn Quickrod.
Yes the QR has gain in spades but I like what a slight boost does to it. I have been using a BB Preamp and it sounds great but it a bit too much to put in the front end of this amp. I think for me, it's better off used as a low-mid gain pedal through the clean channel.
I'm looking for something to be an "always on" pedal. Something that can make the clean channel sparkle a bit and also push he front end just a touch on the OD channel while being as transparent as possible. I don't necessarily want to change the basic tone of the amp. I like how the boost rolls off a touch of low end and tightens up the overall feel of the amp.
I have a Klon clone but it's a little thin sounding to me.
Also, I'd prefer a mini type pedal.
So far I'm thinking
1-spark booster mini
2-ep boost
Any other suggestions?
The basic tone I'm getting is 80's modded Marshall....think Ratt, Skid Row....etc.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

On one hand you are mentioning you want transparency, on the other hand you like the way the Boost rolls off the low end.

For true clean boosts, the Katana Mini and Spark Mini are great. The EP, even with the DIP switches on the V2, adds fatness to the tone. I love it for beefing up a Strat, but for tightening a Humbucker I'd go a different direction.

Have you tried a modded SD-1/Tube Screamer style pedal? That's the classic for 80's metal tones, although usually with a modded Plexi or JCM800. The Splawn has loads more gain than those. Maybe the RC or AC Booster? They have an active treble Control to add sparkle and they are more Boost than gain like the BB.


What guitar/pickups are you using?

 

[Gtrjunior]

Clean Boost Suggestions

On one hand you are mentioning you want transparency, on the other hand you like the way the Boost rolls off the low end.

For true clean boosts, the Katana Mini and Spark Mini are great. The EP, even with the DIP switches on the V2, adds fatness to the tone. I love it for beefing up a Strat, but for tightening a Humbucker I'd go a different direction.

Have you tried a modded SD-1/Tube Screamer style pedal? That's the classic for 80's metal tones, although usually with a modded Plexi or JCM800. The Splawn has loads more gain than those. Maybe the RC or AC Booster? They have an active treble Control to add sparkle and they are more Boost than gain like the BB.


What guitar/pickups are you using?

Yeah, I hate descriptions like "transparency" because like in my post I'm contradicting myself. I guess what I mean is I'd like something that doesn't color the tone...I can deal with the way the BB rolls off bass because it doesn't change the tone the way other pedals that have their own character can.
I have tried the SD-1 in the past but not as a boost and not a modded one. As a stand alone distortion pedal I didn't like it all that much. Same with the tube screamer. Sounded great boosting my JCM 800 though.

The RC Boost is on my radar but I feel like the AC boost does more of a Vox thing and that's not really what I'm looking for when I was describing sparkle.

Playing a Les Paul with a Super Distortion in the bridge and a PAF 36th Anny in the neck.

Edit:just looked at the katana...very promising.

 

[Blille]

Clean Boost Suggestions

Check Suhr: Iso Boost and Koko Boost. Depending on what you're after. I had the Iso as a buffer / boost at the beginning of the chain and was very happy.


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[tabeck5]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

Katana is pretty good, I owned one for a while but sold it when I got the Analongman KoT pedal, the clean side was so good I had no use for the Katana.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

The Katana, The Spark, and the EP all do what you need.

In this case, I'm going to recommend against my long time favorite MXR Micro Amp. NOT what you want.

I would recommend my Mooer Pure boost with tone controls for bass and treble....


My Mean Green Clean Mean would work too - maybe more than you want and hard to find.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

And don't rule out a real Exotic RC

 

[Blille]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

I'm surprised the EP is in the list for transparent frankly. The main point is that it (awesomely) colors the tone.


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[Gtrjunior]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

I'm surprised the EP is in the list for transparent frankly. The main point is that it (awesomely) colors the tone.


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I know it does but it sounds soooo good. Lol
Andy from PGS makes everything sound good...
Plus, if it's good enough for Eddie, Page, Gilmore (Echoplex) I think it's good enough for a chump like me.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

The Katana, The Spark, and the EP all do what you need.

In this case, I'm going to recommend against my long time favorite MXR Micro Amp. NOT what you want.

I would recommend my Mooer Pure boost with tone controls for bass and treble....


My Mean Green Clean Mean would work too - maybe more than you want and hard to find.

I've got a micro amp that I use in my Blackstar rig for a solo boost in the loop...great pedal.

I'll have to look into that mean Green....never heard of it.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

timmy is a great pedal that can be used as a clean boost with eq shaping if you want and it is about as transparent as youll find. not a mini pedal though

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

timmy is a great pedal that can be used as a clean boost with eq shaping if you want and it is about as transparent as youll find. not a mini pedal though

I forgot about the Timmy. The mini is preferred hit a regular size pedal isn't out of the question. At the end of the day the tone is what matters.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

timmy has tons of volume on tap and with the gain all the way down is a clean boost with eq

 

[Blille]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

Seems like this is pretty open then so I'll suggest the Soul Food


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[Gtrjunior]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

Seems like this is pretty open then so I'll suggest the Soul Food


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I had one....meh at best.
I'm thinking I might give the Klon clone another shot.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

I've had a chance to watch a few vids of some pedals that have been suggested...
So far the Koko boost and the Katana boost both are KILLER. But expensive. I don't mind paying for them though as long as they do what I need.
The spark booster for only $50 is pretty amazing too. I saw a shootout with the spark boost vs. the ep boost and the spark just seemed to have a clarity that the ep didn't.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

+1 on the Katana.

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[Aceman]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

I've got a micro amp that I use in my Blackstar rig for a solo boost in the loop...great pedal.

I'll have to look into that mean Green....never heard of it.

I wouldn't say it is transparent - but the "non-transparent" factor is really nice...


Nose Pedals - Mean Green Clean Boost
http://www.nosepedal.com

I have A full size box

 

[VinceT]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

Spark Mini.


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[Dave Locher]

Re: Clean Boost Suggestions

I will sell you a Mini Katana for a reasonable price. I just bought it used but don't care for the mini size format so I am sticking with my handwired TS clone. Happy to pass along the deal I got.
PM me if interested.