What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

JeffB

JeffB

Let it B
I'm looking for a boost pedal really. What I need to do is this:

SLAM THE FRIGGIN BEJEESUS out the front end of my Rivera WITHOUT affecting the tonal characteristics of the amp itself!

:D

Don't want tons of compression, or mid squawk and bass cut from a TS9 or Boss SOD, etc. I'm not necc looking for a volume boost either though if that comes with the territory, thats fine.

It's for my new Malmsteen Strat w/ DiMarzio HS-3/YJM pups (low output singles). I'm going for high gain tones ala Early 80's Gary Moore, John Norum in the late 80's, Yngwie..ermm...since day 1.

Back in the day Gary, used a Boss DS-1 or TS9 into his Marshalls with his 62 Strat and Strat RI's. John Norum used Strats w/ DiMarzio HS-3's with a BOSS DS1 and Boss OD mixed together into NMV Marshalls (wierd, but great tone in the studio). Yngwie of course the DOD250 and his newer YJM thing into his NMV Marshalls.

I got a "deal" on the YJM pedal when I bought the Strat...so it MAY be exactly what I'm looking for, but I don't have much hope when it comes to DOD/Digitech products...so I'm exploring my options.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

JeffB said:
I'm looking for a boost pedal really. What I need to do is this:

SLAM THE FRIGGIN BEJEESUS out the front end !
Click to expand...
1st thing that comes to mind is a EH LPB-1. I don't recall how it affects tone?
It's a very simple booster circuit. I don't remember it altering my tone or
commpressing it? Just crazy loud to the point I felt my amp was about to explode! But their is gotta be better stuff on the market now. You can
build a clone for cheap tho.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

for a pure boost with NO crunch of it's own the Duncan Pickup Booster is great, I love mine for ding just what you are talking about. If you want a little grit AND a boost either the Boss SD-1 or Ibamez TS9 modded by John might be just what the Dr ordered!
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

Depending on how much added oomph you're looking for, a clean boost may not do the trick. In my experience, a clean boost makes things muddy after a certain point.

If you're happy with the amount of OD when you have humbuckers, a clean boost will probably take you where you want to go but that kind of raises the question of whether a single coil guitar is really the right answer for you. I learned a while back that despite the fact that many of my favorite players were Strat guys, they don't really work for me and my tone.

Just an alternative viewpoint.

Back to the original topic, the discontinued DoD FX10 BiFET Preamp is pretty effective as a transparent boost. They're available on eBay pretty regularly.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

kmcguitars said:
1st thing that comes to mind is a EH LPB-1. I don't recall how it affects tone?
It's a very simple booster circuit. I don't remember it altering my tone or
commpressing it? Just crazy loud to the point I felt my amp was about to explode! But their is gotta be better stuff on the market now. You can
build a clone for cheap tho.
Click to expand...
I remember having 2 of those little EH boxes, the LPB and the Muff Fuzz (Big Muff on a stick! :) )

The reason I suggested the Direct Drive is for the clean boost it's capable of giving. Also, the 'overdrive' is as much of a natural overdrive that I've found. First, it doesn't compress until the gain is pretty well saturated, secondly, it's dynamic- unlike most any other overdrive. I have one of the older ones- but it's seriously worth checking out:
http://www.barberelectronics.com/directdrive.htm
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

This was my first thought (the PUP booster)...but I clickied on Steve's clip when he first put it up, and I could hardly tell much difference on his Tele ???? I can hear the "EQ" difference from "off" through the two settings...but it's not slamming the pre-amp...i.e. increasing the gain....?

I really don't want to mess w/ the tone on my Rivera's gain channel as it's prolly the best Marshall sound I've ever had. As it is, I run the gain on 8 with BurstBuckers (boost on the amp disengaged). I know I'll need more with the HS-3/YJM's (the amps boost is fine for leads but for rhythm it's a little scoopy)

Gawd..I feel like the dude from Spinal Tap...

*I NEED IT TO GO TO 11!* :laugh2:

BTW. That Barber sounds incredible.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

aleclee said:
If you're happy with the amount of OD when you have humbuckers, a clean boost will probably take you where you want to go but that kind of raises the question of whether a single coil guitar is really the right answer for you. I learned a while back that despite the fact that many of my favorite players were Strat guys, they don't really work for me and my tone.

Just an alternative viewpoint.
Click to expand...

And a point well taken! :)

This setup though, is meant as a fun alternative to my normal Gibson's w/ PAF's. I'm def going for Uli Roth/Blackmore Vibe (straight into the amp) and into the Yngwie, 80's Gary Moore and especially the John Norum strat sound with this Strat and a "boost" of some sort. John and Gary both did with cheapo BOSS pedals and single coils, so maybe a DS1 will be in order, but I've never cared for the mid hump/bass cut from the BOSS SOD/TS9 when I've used them especially with single coils. Of course those guys also were recording with a Studio full of equalizers and such.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

maybe ds-1/ts-9 + EQ pedal then?

in that case you'd prolly want a line selector or equivalent
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

Thanks everyone :)

Decided to throw some more money to our gracious hosts here and ordered the pickup booster :D

As luck would have it, the malmsteen deal fell through :rolleyes: (long story), so the search is back on for a Strat to go with the PUP Booster ;) :D

I still may grab one of those Barber's though. From the soundclips on their site, as well as from the links to clips they have, I have to say that's the best stomper I've ever heard.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

Never been known for not expressing my opinion, so here goes:

Compared to others, the Pickup Booster is very coloured sounding, Jeff.
I would've recommended an HBE Power Screamer or Big D for Overdrive and either a z.Vex or HBE boost pedal.

You have +$1k guitars and a +$1k amp ... and an $80 pedal. Can you see the weak link in the chain?
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

Tell us how ya *really* feel Ben ;)

Another point well taken!

Then again, Moore, Norum, and Malmsteen all used cheap@$$ $40 pedals to get those great sounds, too ;) :D

But you are right...those $40 pedals DO color the sound. I really don't wanna mess with the tone of the Rivera, as it's just phenomenal. BTW, I can't thank ya enough for instilling some confidence in me to try them again after my not so great previous experiences with them.

I'm gonna give the pup booster a go. as I've already ordered it. If it doesn't work to my satisfaction, then I'll simply go with something else.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

The SFX-01 doesn't color your sound. It's just pure, flat-EQ gain (assuming the Resonance Switch is in the "0" position). Now, that doesn't mean your amp is going to sound exactly the same with it on or off. If you have a tube amp, the SFX-01 might drive your input stage harder causing you to get more crunch. But that's not the SFX-01 coloring your sound, that's your amp's pre-amp section being driven harder.

As for it only being an $80 pedal, I do understand what you're saying. Some people are very impressed by price. To them, high price = better quality. That's often the case. But not always.

But I'll tell ya what: if you'd like, I'll sell you an SFX-01 for $250 and hand-paint the word "boutique" on the side. Then we'll see if it's still the weak link...
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

Evan Skopp said:
As for it only being an $80 pedal, I do understand what you're saying. Some people are very impressed by price. To them, high price = better quality. That's often the case. But not always.
Click to expand...

Great point, as I was about to suggest the Fulltone OCD. I've never heard it, but it's expensive and owning one would probably impress other gear enthusists. :smack: :newangel:
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

aleclee said:
Depending on how much added oomph you're looking for, a clean boost may not do the trick. In my experience, a clean boost makes things muddy after a certain point.

If you're happy with the amount of OD when you have humbuckers, a clean boost will probably take you where you want to go but that kind of raises the question of whether a single coil guitar is really the right answer for you. I learned a while back that despite the fact that many of my favorite players were Strat guys, they don't really work for me and my tone.

Just an alternative viewpoint.

Back to the original topic, the discontinued DoD FX10 BiFET Preamp is pretty effective as a transparent boost. They're available on eBay pretty regularly.
Click to expand...

Most SC's lack the mids of a humbucker, which is why many strat players can get a great tone out of a TS9, especially through a fender. It fills the scooped 'mid cavity' and fattens up the tone.

You might end up with too muddy a sound if you hammer it with flat EQ, which is why OD pedals (like a TS9)are designed with a bit of compression, mid boost, and some bass roll-off in mind to both fatten up your sound and get rid of fart at the same time.
 
Re: What OD/Boost Pedal do I want? Help me choose

to bad u got the pickup booster ( i mean there is nothing wrong with it because it is great) but i think u would of benefited with something like a TCJ Luxury Drive (which doesn't create drive on its own it just push an amp into tone heaven or hell whichever u think is better)
 
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