Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I

iamtetsuo

New member
Hey guys,

I own a Randall RH300 G3 amp. It is a solid state amp with a 12ax7 tube in the pre amp. It has a clean channel and 2 gain channels. Each channel has its own level control as well as a master volume. The gain channels have 2 types of eq options... The first eq option simply provides bass and contour controls. However, if you press the 'voicing' switch, you can add separate mid and treble controls too.

I mostly play high gain metal stuff, so the amp provides quite a lot of options in terms of volume and eq. So would a boost really be necessary? I've dialled in a tone that I'm happy with but don't want to start spending money on ODs or boosters if it's not really going to add anything.

Cheers
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

You can also use a boost more-so to even the picking-response (decrease dynamics) than to filter or eq.
Depends on the pickups and amp of course, but for the chugs and downstroke stuff amp-only does often sound better IMO.
Usually I prefer boost for the smooth faster alt-picking stuff,,,,and for some lead playing.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I used to boost all my amps, then I decided to sell all my amps that required a boost to sound good. Best desicion ever.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

You don't need it, but I recommend experimenting to see what comes about. Some people use boosts and od's simply to change up their sound when they want something different. You never know.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

It's interesting, when I was playing hot passive humbuckers and EMGs into the Mesa, I could never get boosts and ODs tonsound good into the gain channels. Now I primarily use Strats with mid to low output pickups and lower output humbuckers into cleaner Fender and Marshall style amps and boosts/overdrives sound awesome. Clean Boost, EP Style, TS and Klon styles used as a boost, they can all sound great. One base tone I've been liking is compressor with blend into EP Boost into Bluesbreaker style pedal, then hit it with a TS style for leads.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

If you like your tone, then you are fine. You never mentioned if you are a bedroom player or playing in a band. I love my tone in both situations but find with my the band a boost helps me cut through the mix and thickens my leads. I would suggest keeping your eye on close outs and the Stupid Deal of the Day. If an interesting boost comes along at a low price grab it. It is alway good to experiment with different tones and gear. As much as you love your tone, the boost might give you a dynamic you never thought about before. Or you might hate it; experimentation is the key to originality.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I really like what a Tube Screamer does to those amps. Those G3's have A TON of low-end that could use some taming a TS provides. JMO.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

No - at least not for gain or boost.

For tonal changes...It's an option.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

Rex_Rocker said:
I really like what a Tube Screamer does to those amps. Those G3's have A TON of low-end that could use some taming a TS provides. JMO.
Click to expand...

Yeah... The low end is pretty severe. I currently have it set at 1! Although I'm getting a good tone, I am looking to tighten the bass.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I always play on the dirty channel with a tubescreamer to tighten the flubbiness.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

Definitely not a necessity...but they can be very cool and useful :smoker:
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I have an amp with a clean, a crunch and a distortion channel. I use a boost into the crunch channel, because playing live, I need both sparkling cleans, mild crunch for arpeggio picking type things, heavy crunch for some stuff and full on distortion for... well, doing the meeetaaal. Stepping on a boost is easier and quicker than trying to find the volume pot sweet spot in a live situation.

That being said, I wouldn't get one just to own one. That's pointless IMO. I like the sounds I can get as is, I just need it because you can't fiddle around with amp settings mid-song.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

Coma said:
I have an amp with a clean, a crunch and a distortion channel. I use a boost into the crunch channel, because playing live, I need both sparkling cleans, mild crunch for arpeggio picking type things, heavy crunch for some stuff and full on distortion for... well, doing the meeetaaal. Stepping on a boost is easier and quicker than trying to find the volume pot sweet spot in a live situation.

That being said, I wouldn't get one just to own one. That's pointless IMO. I like the sounds I can get as is, I just need it because you can't fiddle around with amp settings mid-song.
Click to expand...

Great use.

Set the Crunch channel to where it can run a range with the vol control, and use the pedal for over the top.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

I've got a couple of Tube Screamer-type pedals that I only use for tightening up the low end on a tube amp. It's going to be more necessary with some amps than others, but I always try out a new amp with and without an OD pedal as a boost. When you can buy an OD pedal used for $25, there's not a whole lot of downside. My Bad Monkey does a respectable job given the price tag. Plenty of other cheap options too.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

For me, I like an OD with set higher volume and the gain at near 0 is what I like. The amp and the OD together seem to add more harmonic content and a tighter sound overall. Actually was thinking trying that Spark booster. I just have a Peavey toaster, and love my tone right now. I wanna mention, I have some really nice "boutique" distortions, Wampler Sovereign, Pinnacle and other really nice pedals, just don't really care for them anymore.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

You need a tube screamer type pedal. Or multiple, u can't have too many. U can have one for an always on, one for a lead boost, one to just send u into crazy sustain that feeds back beautifully, the list goes on
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

Do you play in a band setting with another guitar player? A boost or OD pedal can provide you with some more mids to cut through and tighten the bass or make you sound a little louder when its guitarsolo time.
How about a noise gate instead? Some boost pedals even come with a build in gate but they can be a bit more costly.
 
Re: Do I actually need an overdrive/boost?

If you play rhythm guitar you do not need a boost. If you also play leads then a boost or overdrive pedal will push your amp input and that gives you more compression and sustain. I have been boosting with an eq pedal into my Randall for years (decades), but only in bands where I play solos that require more smooth sustain or more sensitivity for hammer ons and pull offs. Otherwise, straight into the amp.
 
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