Onboard Preamp Booster?

[NateCordova]

Hey guys

I want to install a pre amp booster on my guitar.

I want to boost my JB4 with more punch, gain, and clarity for reaaaly metal tones. My type of sound goes more into Testament / Machine Head territory.

Thought about a EMG afterburner since i like EMG pickups sound but its quite expensive, 40 bucks, and i dont think i'l have space for the two batteries. In a local store i have a Artec VTB1 booster at 14 euros.

PS: dont want no pedals

Has anyone here has experience on boosters?

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

IMO, you'd be better off with a used pedal like the SD Boost or the Digitech Bad Monkey.

Guitarelectronics carries the onboard version of the SD Boost pedal and there are always the various Fender boosts, but they are all above your $40 price point, new.

My advice; spend the money to get a decent onboard boost or get a pedal.
Cheap solutions tend to be noisy and sound bad.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

I've always used the EMG PA-2 when I wanted a boost. Costs about $40. Has a very flat boost, very good for adding more output without any tone coloration. Know that by boosing anything you'll also be boosting noise as well

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

I agree with MM. A pedal booster device is available for whichever instrument you have plugged in. It also requires no mangling of your guitar(s) to accommodate batteries.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

I've used the Afterburner, but only with lower-output, PAF-range pickups like the EMG HZ3. It's nice, but anything above 3 is just noise, especially if your amp/preamp has any decent amount of gain. I mean, if you're using a 1950s amp, then ok you might get what you're after, but otherwise, you might want to spend more time playing than wondering how to make one guitar through one amp sound like multi-tracked guitars on a CD.

 

[NateCordova]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

The thing is :

1- i will turn my les paul into a single volume knob. It has given me trouble changing pickups live with diferent volumes set, i always cut the sound after a song with the bridge volume.

2- The knob i want to replace is broken and its a bit hard to find the exact part.

Thats why i want an onboard system The PA-2 seems cool too.

I have space for one 9 volt battery on my les paul (i'l just wrap it in cloth).

 

[Aceman]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

Why AGAINST the pedal?

And $40 is pretty cheap period. I acknowledge that may be below your budget.

Also, SD makes the Pickup Booster in an internal format.

 

[Mosher Zone]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

I'm a fan of boosters & the first one i used was the EMG PA-2 with a JB/Hotrails combo, i loved it. I have also used stuff from Guitar Fuel, they are worth a look & are cheap but good quality.
http://guitarfuel.com/Home_Page.php
My next purchase is going be a Neil Moser boost which i've read is really good but they are a little more expensive but you get what you pay for.
http://www.nealmoserguitars.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96_8_10&products_id=121

 

[countryboy]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

Or you could go with this aftermarket true-bypass onboard booster preamp:

 

[Aceman]

Re: Onboard Preamp Booster?

Hey country boy, greetings!

That's a great idea. But about two years too late me thinks….