Lead/Solo Boost Solution PSA

Jay77

Joined: Nov 22, 2012
Posts: 71
Kitchener, ON
Canada

Posted on Dec 07 2012 08:37 AM

clepak wrote:

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...

I have the LPB1 and know what you mean. In front of the amp it does thicken the tone. If you want something along the same lines as this pedal but with more treble, try the EHX Screaming Bird. Good luck!

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CrashHardtop

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 152
Meridian, Idaho
United States

Posted on Dec 07 2012 02:43 PM

Has anyone tried this as a boost solution?

[url]http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx[/url]

If so, what was your impression? Did it achieve the desired result?

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More cowbell?? Nah...More Reverb!!

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CrashHardtop

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 152
Meridian, Idaho
United States

Posted on Dec 07 2012 02:44 PM

Sorry, goofed up the url there pretty good.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx

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More cowbell?? Nah...More Reverb!!

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derekirving

Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660

Posted on Dec 07 2012 03:43 PM

I've tried the Katana Boost and Xotic EP booster and as someone mentioned it boosts the whole frequency which is not what I preferred for a solo boost. These seem to work better as an always on pedal and I've had difficultly getting the right sound out of them.

I've always resorted back to what worked best, lower my guitar volume to 7-8 for rhythm and turn up to 9-10 for a solo (as needed).

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tubesNtweed

Joined: Sep 07, 2011
Posts: 507

Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:28 PM

Volume knob on guitar is always easiest, however when I roll it back more to like 5/6, it gets dull and sounds thin, so I usually roll back just a smidge or work the tone control. I have to do the mod sometime to fix that.

Yea the EP booster does change the tone (for the better I think) and it's more of a "leave on always" type of pedal. But it does have switches inside for bass boost or treble switch, so you can tweak the EQ a little on it.

Last edited: Dec 07, 2012 19:30:09

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stevel

Joined: Oct 12, 2012
Posts: 219
Hampton Roads, Virginia
United States

Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:36 PM

CrazyAces wrote:

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?

Yeah, that's why I chose the A/B route because any boost just didn't work for me. EQs added noise (couldn't afford a good one) so I had used one once as an "unboost".

Steve

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stevel

Joined: Oct 12, 2012
Posts: 219
Hampton Roads, Virginia
United States

Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:39 PM

vintagesurfdude wrote:

Wow, sorry to take so long to get back. Tried the A/B switch "channel" select option, didn't realy like the results. pops when switching and the two channels on my SF SR don't really sound the same, may be old parts in the pre amp circuit or dissimilar tubes. Worked better on my Vibrolux Reverb. It's still useful though for other options, such as setting up for 2 different guitars. Anyway that was my experience.

Yeah - I can't remember if I mentioned above my problem with pops - I finally found a Whirlwind A/B/Y that didn't pop. Could very well be tubes with the SR - as I recall, on my Super one of the channels was a touch more midrangey, so I used that one for the boosted channel because that midrange boost helped it cut through the mix (and it was slight, not like a tubescreamer or anything).

Steve

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stevel

Joined: Oct 12, 2012
Posts: 219
Hampton Roads, Virginia
United States

Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:50 PM

CrashHardtop wrote:

Has anyone tried this as a boost solution?

[url]http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx[/url]

If so, what was your impression? Did it achieve the desired result?

I've never tried it. I've played guitars with TBX tones and the Buddy Guy boost ones - didn't care for either. I've also tried guitars with the "lead" switch where you flick it and it engages the bridge (usually a HB) no matter what setting you're in so you get a fatter lead tone. Of course, it means your lead tone is always a HB tone, which I didn't care for.

As others have mentioned, the Volume knob doesn't work for me either - I find the change in tone, while nice, not what I'm looking for in a "boost" situation. And the other boosts mentioned - yeah, they're great for always on pedals - IMHO most of them are designed to slam the front end of an amp to give you saturation that you can then control with the volume - a more effective use of the volume knob IMHO.

Best thing I've ever heard was a "Boost" control on a Mesa-Boogie Lonestar amp - it actually just took the tone you had, and made it louder. Brilliant.

I've tried volume pedals with minimum level controls and while I've found some that don't change tone as they travel, the pedal itself sucks tone.

The absolute best thing I found was in a Pod Live floorboard - the pedal can be set so the minimum is whatever value you like didn't change the tone if you put it post FX, BUT, the whole pedalboard changes your tone so unless you use those FX in some kind of always on fashion, it doesn't work.

I'm going to try an expression pedal with the Line 6 M series (which has a volume pedal setting) and if that works, I may go that route so I can use the verb and trem from the amp, and that for everything else.

But again, switching between the Vibrato and Normal channels of my amp give me the most "organic" tone I can get.

Steve

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JObeast

Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
Turkmenistan

Posted on Jan 26 2013 01:32 AM

THis 'clean boost' issue is perennial. In my pedalboard I have a Fulltone Fulldrive II from 1999 that has a 'comp-cut' pull switch on the volume, which allows the use of the pedal as a transparent boost while the 'overdrive' knob is set to minimum, thus adding no distortion, no appreciable compression and negligible coloration. Mike Fuller's stuff is not expensive and very musical. There is also a secondary boost engaged by a footswitch, with its own level control, that can add another level of boost, cascading into the first. This invariably produces some distortion, but not overmuch when the 'comp-cut' is engaged and the 'overdrive' is set to minimum.
Another device for solo boost is the Rangemaster Treble Boost or clone thereof. Significantly alters tone (designed to do so) but in a musical way, making a for nasal upper-midrange hump with some hair on it (from silicon transistor distorition). By itself the Rangemaster doesn't compress or distort tone much but can provide a lot of boost. Some have treble control knobs to help tame top end. They were designed to fix dark amps like Marshalls and Voxes. I don't know if many surf guitarists use one but the sound of 60's punk is defined by this pedal added to Fuzz.

—

Squink Out!

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Jay77 Joined: Nov 22, 2012 Posts: 71 Kitchener, ON	Posted on Dec 07 2012 08:37 AM clepak wrote: 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... I have the LPB1 and know what you mean. In front of the amp it does thicken the tone. If you want something along the same lines as this pedal but with more treble, try the EHX Screaming Bird. Good luck! — The Aquamaniacs on ReverbNation The Aquamaniacs on Facebook The Aquamaniacs on Twitter The Aquamaniacs on Instagram Top
CrashHardtop Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 152 Meridian, Idaho	Posted on Dec 07 2012 02:43 PM Has anyone tried this as a boost solution? [url]http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx[/url] If so, what was your impression? Did it achieve the desired result? — More cowbell?? Nah...More Reverb!! Top
CrashHardtop Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 152 Meridian, Idaho	Posted on Dec 07 2012 02:44 PM Sorry, goofed up the url there pretty good. http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx — More cowbell?? Nah...More Reverb!! Top
derekirving Joined: Nov 03, 2011 Posts: 660	Posted on Dec 07 2012 03:43 PM I've tried the Katana Boost and Xotic EP booster and as someone mentioned it boosts the whole frequency which is not what I preferred for a solo boost. These seem to work better as an always on pedal and I've had difficultly getting the right sound out of them. I've always resorted back to what worked best, lower my guitar volume to 7-8 for rhythm and turn up to 9-10 for a solo (as needed). Top
tubesNtweed Joined: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 507	Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:28 PM Volume knob on guitar is always easiest, however when I roll it back more to like 5/6, it gets dull and sounds thin, so I usually roll back just a smidge or work the tone control. I have to do the mod sometime to fix that. Yea the EP booster does change the tone (for the better I think) and it's more of a "leave on always" type of pedal. But it does have switches inside for bass boost or treble switch, so you can tweak the EQ a little on it. Last edited: Dec 07, 2012 19:30:09 Top
stevel Joined: Oct 12, 2012 Posts: 219 Hampton Roads, Virginia	Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:36 PM CrazyAces wrote: 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? Yeah, that's why I chose the A/B route because any boost just didn't work for me. EQs added noise (couldn't afford a good one) so I had used one once as an "unboost". Steve Top
stevel Joined: Oct 12, 2012 Posts: 219 Hampton Roads, Virginia	Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:39 PM vintagesurfdude wrote: Wow, sorry to take so long to get back. Tried the A/B switch "channel" select option, didn't realy like the results. pops when switching and the two channels on my SF SR don't really sound the same, may be old parts in the pre amp circuit or dissimilar tubes. Worked better on my Vibrolux Reverb. It's still useful though for other options, such as setting up for 2 different guitars. Anyway that was my experience. Yeah - I can't remember if I mentioned above my problem with pops - I finally found a Whirlwind A/B/Y that didn't pop. Could very well be tubes with the SR - as I recall, on my Super one of the channels was a touch more midrangey, so I used that one for the boosted channel because that midrange boost helped it cut through the mix (and it was slight, not like a tubescreamer or anything). Steve Top
stevel Joined: Oct 12, 2012 Posts: 219 Hampton Roads, Virginia	Posted on Dec 07 2012 07:50 PM CrashHardtop wrote: Has anyone tried this as a boost solution? [url]http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Oct/Stratocaster_Direct_Through_Mod.aspx[/url] If so, what was your impression? Did it achieve the desired result? I've never tried it. I've played guitars with TBX tones and the Buddy Guy boost ones - didn't care for either. I've also tried guitars with the "lead" switch where you flick it and it engages the bridge (usually a HB) no matter what setting you're in so you get a fatter lead tone. Of course, it means your lead tone is always a HB tone, which I didn't care for. As others have mentioned, the Volume knob doesn't work for me either - I find the change in tone, while nice, not what I'm looking for in a "boost" situation. And the other boosts mentioned - yeah, they're great for always on pedals - IMHO most of them are designed to slam the front end of an amp to give you saturation that you can then control with the volume - a more effective use of the volume knob IMHO. Best thing I've ever heard was a "Boost" control on a Mesa-Boogie Lonestar amp - it actually just took the tone you had, and made it louder. Brilliant. I've tried volume pedals with minimum level controls and while I've found some that don't change tone as they travel, the pedal itself sucks tone. The absolute best thing I found was in a Pod Live floorboard - the pedal can be set so the minimum is whatever value you like didn't change the tone if you put it post FX, BUT, the whole pedalboard changes your tone so unless you use those FX in some kind of always on fashion, it doesn't work. I'm going to try an expression pedal with the Line 6 M series (which has a volume pedal setting) and if that works, I may go that route so I can use the verb and trem from the amp, and that for everything else. But again, switching between the Vibrato and Normal channels of my amp give me the most "organic" tone I can get. Steve Top
JObeast Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan	Posted on Jan 26 2013 01:32 AM THis 'clean boost' issue is perennial. In my pedalboard I have a Fulltone Fulldrive II from 1999 that has a 'comp-cut' pull switch on the volume, which allows the use of the pedal as a transparent boost while the 'overdrive' knob is set to minimum, thus adding no distortion, no appreciable compression and negligible coloration. Mike Fuller's stuff is not expensive and very musical. There is also a secondary boost engaged by a footswitch, with its own level control, that can add another level of boost, cascading into the first. This invariably produces some distortion, but not overmuch when the 'comp-cut' is engaged and the 'overdrive' is set to minimum. Another device for solo boost is the Rangemaster Treble Boost or clone thereof. Significantly alters tone (designed to do so) but in a musical way, making a for nasal upper-midrange hump with some hair on it (from silicon transistor distorition). By itself the Rangemaster doesn't compress or distort tone much but can provide a lot of boost. Some have treble control knobs to help tame top end. They were designed to fix dark amps like Marshalls and Voxes. I don't know if many surf guitarists use one but the sound of 60's punk is defined by this pedal added to Fuzz. — Squink Out! Top

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Lead/Solo Boost Solution PSA