Dave Locher
New member
Re: Gimmie some boost options
Seriously, try an EQ pedal. I have been using one for years to do exactly what you want: more gain without dramatically changing the tone. Any graphic eq pedal gives you enough variation to raise only the frequencies you want to boost and most of them give you 10-20 db.
Personally I have a DOD with 6 or 7 bands of 18 db cut or boost and an overall volume cut or boost control, but any decent eq will do the same thing.
You are not adding grit dirt or color to your guitar signal, just more volume and only where you want it. A little midrange boost gives good sustain, a little high-mids and/or low-highs boost gives great clarity, etc. And if you want to just boost everything across the board you can do that as well.
I spent all of last year flipping pedals (clean boosts, od's, and compressors) trying to find something better. I found exactly one of each that worked as well as the eq pedal, but nothing that worked better and nothing with the overall flexibility and usefullness of the eq pedal. Works with all three of my guitars (different woods, pickups, and scale lengths) with just little tweaks. Works into different amps with just little tweaks. I can live without it but if I have to use one pedal, that's it.
And they aren't even terribly expensive!
Seriously, try an EQ pedal. I have been using one for years to do exactly what you want: more gain without dramatically changing the tone. Any graphic eq pedal gives you enough variation to raise only the frequencies you want to boost and most of them give you 10-20 db.
Personally I have a DOD with 6 or 7 bands of 18 db cut or boost and an overall volume cut or boost control, but any decent eq will do the same thing.
You are not adding grit dirt or color to your guitar signal, just more volume and only where you want it. A little midrange boost gives good sustain, a little high-mids and/or low-highs boost gives great clarity, etc. And if you want to just boost everything across the board you can do that as well.
I spent all of last year flipping pedals (clean boosts, od's, and compressors) trying to find something better. I found exactly one of each that worked as well as the eq pedal, but nothing that worked better and nothing with the overall flexibility and usefullness of the eq pedal. Works with all three of my guitars (different woods, pickups, and scale lengths) with just little tweaks. Works into different amps with just little tweaks. I can live without it but if I have to use one pedal, that's it.
And they aren't even terribly expensive!
