Need a mid boost overdrive that won’t cut bass

[Mincer]

The Forza was a balanced overdrive. It wasn't TS-based, it added gain to all frequencies equally, and allowed you to boost or cut whatever you wanted. The gain didn't add mids or take away the bass.

 

[Demanic]

I have tried that too and that is great when you want the "transparent" thing, like it better for rhythm but my amp already has a rhythm tone I like, lots of crunch while keeps dynamics and a balanced EQ that is very articulated. Now on top of that I need some extra distortion with more mids for leads because the two pickups I mentioned are already and cutting bass does not help, specially the Full Shred bridge which is already very tight, but also need to option to maintain the volume level even, sometimes louder is not needed, just more mids and more sustain.

I can understand that.
For my purposes, I put a Keeley Katana after my Keeley MT-2 to use for a lead boost. And yes, I know that some would consider that extreme.
The Katana can either act as a clean boost or a top boost. I use it clean. Engaging the top boost mode actually really seems to make the mids pop. Even from a Metalzone.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[IMENATOR]

I just got the MXR M77 "Custom Badass Modified OD". It is certainly a SD-1 with same amount of gain but more versatile eq but it has that push in the mids, not a transparent overdrive. Sounds like crap into very clean channel but it brings a good crunch when the amp is at the edge of breakup.

The 100 Huz control is very useful to remove low end and increase clarity, it can bring it back but as some pointed out you miss some of that clarity but the mids spike is still there, however if you crank it 100 Hz control you get too much bass.The "pump" button works really nice with single coils to add punch with the low mids.

So in summary I really got what I wanted so thanks a lot everyone.

 

[Wound_Up]

Is Maxon pedals really going out of businessr?
It sounds as if the German software company Maxon may be floundering.
But I think the Japanese pedal maker is an entirely different Maxon, no affiliation.

I have an OD808 that I bought as a replacement for my original TubeScreamer when I retired that from active duty.
I like the Maxon - soundwise it's pretty much a dead ringer for the one I'd been using since 1980.

Afaik, Maxon still makes tube screamers for Ibanez, just as they did in the beginning. They have no relation to the German company. Nisshin Onpa actually owns the Maxon brand name. So unless the German company is owned by them also, there's no relation. Nisshin was founded in 1907, IIRC. The software company was formed in 1986. With Maxon in Japan being a brand name and Maxon in Germany being the actual company, that also means there is no relation.

Nisshin owns the Maxon brand name just as Hoshino Gakki owns the Ibanez brand name. Afaik, neither Ibanez nor Maxon are actual companies, but only brand names owned by larger, parent companies.

Where did you check? Maxonfx.com or their actual website at


​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/e2_index.html


They aren't going anywhere. If you check their "Effects" page, I believe it shows current pedals? Nisshin Onpa appears to be doing fine so I don't see them killing the Maxon brand. It's been established for far too long to just go belly up, IMO. Even their web page says buy Maxon from distributors and has got other Maxon news so it seems like they're OK.

​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/effects_n/lineup_e.html
​​​

 

[NegativeEase]

THere's also this if you want to stay along the lines of the SD-1

This was what first came to my mind as well

 

[GuitarStv]

Too bad modern MXR build quality is total shit.

 

[NegativeEase]

Too bad modern MXR build quality is total ****.

Disagree -It's not TC Electronics level bad. thats total ****

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Afaik, Maxon still makes tube screamers for Ibanez, just as they did in the beginning. They have no relation to the German company. Nisshin Onpa actually owns the Maxon brand name. So unless the German company is owned by them also, there's no relation. Nisshin was founded in 1907, IIRC. The software company was formed in 1986. With Maxon in Japan being a brand name and Maxon in Germany being the actual company, that also means there is no relation.

Nisshin owns the Maxon brand name just as Hoshino Gakki owns the Ibanez brand name. Afaik, neither Ibanez nor Maxon are actual companies, but only brand names owned by larger, parent companies.

Where did you check? Maxonfx.com or their actual website at


​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/e2_index.html


They aren't going anywhere. If you check their "Effects" page, I believe it shows current pedals? Nisshin Onpa appears to be doing fine so I don't see them killing the Maxon brand. It's been established for far too long to just go belly up, IMO. Even their web page says buy Maxon from distributors and has got other Maxon news so it seems like they're OK.

​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/effects_n/lineup_e.html
​​​

Thanks; maxonfx.com was indeed what I'd been looking at; it was the first search return so I figured it was the official Maxon site.
Glad to know they're still going strong.
Awhile back I turned on to fuzz again after many years, and their Elements fuzz line looked interesting.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Too bad modern MXR build quality is total ****.

Both my Wylde OD's, my Classic OD (same pedal, LOL), my Bass DI+, and my Custom Comp have all been solid.

Yeah, they're SMD. But what isn't these days? Even the "boutique" Archer I have is mostly SMD.

Disagree -It's not TC Electronics level bad. thats total ****

What's wrong with TC stuff? I know the Smorgasbord series or whatever is not top-quality, but I've never had any problem with reliability even with those.

My Polytune, Spark, Sentry, and Flashback have all been rock solid too.

But maybe there's something I don't know about?

 

[NegativeEase]

Both my Wylde OD's, my Classic OD (same pedal, LOL), my Bass DI+, and my Custom Comp have all been solid.

Yeah, they're SMD. But what isn't these days? Even the "boutique" Archer I have is mostly SMD.


What's wrong with TC stuff? I know the Smorgasbord series or whatever is not top-quality, but I've never had any problem with reliability even with those.

My Polytune, Spark, Sentry, and Flashback have all been rock solid too.

But maybe there's something I don't know about?

First of all, all of it's fine. Lower quality builds do not equal lower quality sound of course and this isnt unique to TCE -and your right Archer does similar stuff in order to get the components in space.

But in order to cram all that power into their pedals TCE (like many others) does a lot less quality things that affect the reliability and durability over time -direct mounted 1/4" jacks to the PCB for example

Is any of this a big deal? probably not unless you are transporting and gigging all of the time -then this stuff will show issues. For recording, home use, and light travel/gigging -it's all fine -and it all sounds good.

But if you compare the build styles now to accomplish this versus 20 years ago -it's quite a difference and maybe a trade off thats worth it when you consider the power and price.

 

[GuitarStv]

I've had SMT MXR pedals break on me because of the shitty build. The footswitch that is directly soldered to the PCB caused flexion that over time broke internal solder connections to other components and rendered the pedals useless. When contacted, MXR offered to repair both pedals through an authorized repairer . . . it would cost 90% of the price of the new one, and they couldn't guarantee that I'd have a working pedal at the end of their repair though. Fuck them and their shitty disposable products. I'd rather pay more for something that is built to last.

 

[dave74]

Afaik, Maxon still makes tube screamers for Ibanez, just as they did in the beginning. They have no relation to the German company. Nisshin Onpa actually owns the Maxon brand name. So unless the German company is owned by them also, there's no relation. Nisshin was founded in 1907, IIRC. The software company was formed in 1986. With Maxon in Japan being a brand name and Maxon in Germany being the actual company, that also means there is no relation.

Nisshin owns the Maxon brand name just as Hoshino Gakki owns the Ibanez brand name. Afaik, neither Ibanez nor Maxon are actual companies, but only brand names owned by larger, parent companies.

Where did you check? Maxonfx.com or their actual website at


​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/e2_index.html


They aren't going anywhere. If you check their "Effects" page, I believe it shows current pedals? Nisshin Onpa appears to be doing fine so I don't see them killing the Maxon brand. It's been established for far too long to just go belly up, IMO. Even their web page says buy Maxon from distributors and has got other Maxon news so it seems like they're OK.

​​​​http://www.maxon.co.jp/effects_n/lineup_e.html
​​​

Hope you are right about Maxon still being afloat, but that website doesn't really have anything remotely new on it that I could find.

Notice on their distributor page they still have Godlyke listed for North America, and we know they cut ties a year or two ago.
Also, notice they have an od808x listed as a new product, and it's been out for maybe 7 or 8 yrs now.

Maybe they are going to be Japan only?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

First of all, all of it's fine. Lower quality builds do not equal lower quality sound of course and this isnt unique to TCE -and your right Archer does similar stuff in order to get the components in space.

But in order to cram all that power into their pedals TCE (like many others) does a lot less quality things that affect the reliability and durability over time -direct mounted 1/4" jacks to the PCB for example

Is any of this a big deal? probably not unless you are transporting and gigging all of the time -then this stuff will show issues. For recording, home use, and light travel/gigging -it's all fine -and it all sounds good.

But if you compare the build styles now to accomplish this versus 20 years ago -it's quite a difference and maybe a trade off thats worth it when you consider the power and price.

Well, I've purposely jumped on my MXR Bass DI+ while being drunk to stomp it on, LOL. And it survived without any damage.

But yeah, you're probably right. In the long run, probably not good build quality.

I still kinda like MXR and TCE pedals over Boss, TBH. Maybe because the only Boss pedal I've ever really bonded with is the SD-1.

 

[Ascension]

Would say a Nobells OD 1 or Wampler Belle. I cant run a Tube Screamer anymore after going to these. Also a Wampler Tumnus if your running a more Fender style amp is really nice. Love mine with my little Meas Subway Rocket for just a little edge and a fat tone plus lead boost.

 

[Mikelamury]

I have a Mesa Boogie gold mine overdrive pedal that has a 3 band EQ on it and definitely doesn't cut the bass if the OP is still looking should definitely check it out.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Friedman Buxom Boost