Hello all. As a participant in other forums where the question about "how do you boost for leads" often comes up, I thought I'd share how I boost for solos. And since many of you hear probably use a Fender style amp with Normal and Vibrato channels, it may be particularly useful:

I've always wanted a "loud" and "more loud" setting when I play. Unlike a lot of guitarists into the classic rock thing, I don't want it to also get dirtier, change the tone, or "push the amp harder". While that's a useful sound, and easy to get using many pedals, or even the guitar's volume knob, I wanted it to stay the same (or nearly the same), but louder. Here's my solution:

Using a Fender-style amp with a Normal channel and a Vibrato channel, simply use an A/B switch and run one side out to Normal, and the other out to Vibrato.

Basically these amps are "two amps in one" and you have Volume and at least Bass and Treble on both sides. So I set mine up to be the same, and just turn one side up louder. If I'm on the Vibrato channel as rhythm, then when I step on the A/B it toggles over to the Normal channel, which I've got set louder (and EQ'd slightly differently due to both the volume increase and the natural difference between the channels' tones) so now I have a "lead channel".

The only downfall on certain amps is that the Verb and Trem are only on the Vibrato channel, so you don't have it on leads. You can just use a verb pedal or other outboard units before the A/B switch and you'll have all your FX on both channels (and of course, you could put some FX after the A/B switch so you could have certain FX (like delay) only on your lead channel).

I've tried many solutions over the years - volume pedals, boosts, etc. but this is the only thing I've found that doesn't change the tone and keeps it "organic" without adding too much extra gear.

So I thought I'd share in the event that someone else might benefit from my "discovery".

Peace,
Steve

Can I use a FRV-1 for this? Just kidding, but a serious thought: why not use the 1 and 2 inputs of your amp (if available). IIRC the 2nd plug is -x db compared to input 1? This would mean NO tonal change when switching at all plus the effects (rev/trem) are still available.

The Hicadoolas

Yay, hope it works! Please keep us updated. If so, a simple A/B switch for 20.00USD without battery will do the trick. Will this start a A/B switch discussion? I'm using a EH Switchblade, btw. =)

The Hicadoolas

I have an EHX Linear Power Booster clone, it's great for my strat but now I play mainly with a Hallmark C60, it's not so great anymore because it adds too much bass to my taste.
Now I'm looking for a boost with more treble. If you have any advice...

Monkey Ju

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Yep, haven't looked for that yet. I could also used my old boss EQ pedal as a boost (I already used it and it was ok, but the cursors are sometimes moving during live action)

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Last edited: Nov 08, 2012 11:56:00

SanchoPansen wrote:

Can I use a FRV-1 for this? Just kidding, but a serious thought: why not use the 1 and 2 inputs of your amp (if available). IIRC the 2nd plug is -x db compared to input 1? This would mean NO tonal change when switching at all plus the effects (rev/trem) are still available.

I had thought of this and even tried it, but of course the main problem is the amount of -x db is FIXED!!! THe second channel allows you more flexibility in volume control.

Steve

SanchoPansen wrote:

Yay, hope it works! Please keep us updated. If so, a simple A/B switch for 20.00USD without battery will do the trick. Will this start a A/B switch discussion? I'm using a EH Switchblade, btw. =)

I actually had a hard time finding one the first time. I went through various "boutique" manufacturers and they all popped when I stepped on the switch.

I finally found a Whirlwind A/B/Y that didn't make noise. I actually took out the button for the Y to avoid accidentally stepping on it (and combining out of phase channels!) and just taped over the hole.

It finally broke and I wanted something with just a single button to avoid that whole extra button and larger footprint prob. So I got a cheap ART one on the recommendation of a salesperson (oh, when will I learn). It stopped working within days.

I bought a new boutique one from a small pedal builder. Price was right and came recommended by others. Guaranteed it wouldn't pop.

It pops.

He claims it's got something to do with some kind of negative feedback or something that is at fault with the amp (after I ruled out any pedalboard cables being an issue). Maybe that's true, and maybe that's why all those others wouldn't work in the past. I'm still using it now and it's not a huge problem but I'd rather have something dead quiet.

Steve

Last edited: Nov 08, 2012 16:22:50

Early on I tried to use some type of boost pedal, but the problem was that, once I punched it, I would neglect to unpunch it. What I do now is I keep my compressor on all the time to limit the volume when I play chords/rhythm.

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caddady wrote:

Pedals = bad Pickup selector switch and volume knob on guitar = good.

"Simplicity is the fastest way to perfection" Some painter I saw that used a trowel, toilet paper and acrylics to render amazing work.

Pedals are not bad nor good. There are only bad/unimaginative guitarists.

While I find products like the Katana Boost, Fat Boost and similar pedals sound good overall I'm not such a fan of All frequencies being boosted, I'd rather have some EQ control over the boosted sound so that, for instance, the bass freqs don't become too boomy, thus I prefer the old Boss EQ pedal or something like the TC Sparkboost.
Anyone else notice this, feel the same way?

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