killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 08:15 AM
So, after a year or so of debate, I finally pulled the trigger on an Exotic EP Booster.
I really was debating for quite a long time whether to get it or the Stiff Amplification Echoplex pedal. Frankly, I believe that is a better sounding pedal, as it is more accurate to the original circuit. But after a few friends relaying their experience with having to send back their Stiff Amplification pedals for repairs on more than one occasion, I decided that dependability was more important.
I will go on record as saying this is one of the best and most important purchases I have made in regard to overall tone. It is a one-trick-pony that is well worth the relatively low price tag. I plugged the pedal in for the first time during practice yesterday, set the knob at 9 o'clock, and then engaged. It was like my amp and guitar came alive. My tone cut through our heavy and loud bass so much better than in the past.
Now, it is time to invest in a power supply, as I am having to run it at 9v instead of 18v, due to only having a Onespot adapter.
...on a related note...I noticed that Dunlop, owner of the Echoplex name at the moment, has just released their own Echoplex preamp pedal. It is too new for their to be decent reviews or comparison videos out there. I am curious as to the difference in the circuit. I know that Stiff Amplification has accurately recreated the original circuit, as they use NOS components. But those aren't mass produced pedals. I am sure the Dunlop, like the Exotic, has had to substitute the primary chip, as the originals aren't readily available at low cost or high numbers.
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
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hlieboff59
Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 08:23 AM
I ordered mine from ebay. Instead of getting a used one, bought a brand new one. On your review above, I'm even more excited to really try it out.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 08:30 AM
Very cool, Noah! It's become my 'always-on' pedal. I have the 'boost' turned off, so the signal is exactly even with the pedal on or off, but with it on, there's just more 'juice' and 'body' to my tone, and it becomes more touch sensitive. Definitely love it!
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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RaistMagus
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Posts: 388
Copenhagen
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 08:56 AM
Does the Catalinbread Belle Epoch preamp do the same thing? I'm about to pull the trigger on one, partly because of the preamp.
— https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 09:10 AM
Welcome to the club! Love it to bits! BUT:
It just got replaced by a Spaceman 'Saturn V', which has a quite similar but richer tone...at least to my ears. Actually I have both on my board, but caught myself turning on the Saturn V more often.
@Ivan: which internal dip switch is on and which one is off in you setting, if I may ask? And do you own v1 or v2 of the pedal? (v1 = bass/bright dip switch; v2 = unity gain/bright dip switch; v2 = serial no. >11012).
— The Hicadoolas
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 09:17 AM
SanchoPansen wrote:
@Ivan: which internal dip switch is on and which one is off in you setting, if I may ask? And do you own v1 or v2 of the pedal? (v1 = bass/bright dip switch; v2 = unity gain/bright dip switch; v2 = serial no. >11012).
I have the v2, and have it set at unity gain (don't remember the rest of it, though, and I don't have access to it now).
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 09:24 AM
Cool, thanks for the fast reply. ATM I have it set up as a boost, but I don't dare to dial it above 10 o'clock. Maybe I will try to turn off the boost part as well.
— The Hicadoolas
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 09:38 AM
RaistMagus wrote:
Does the Catalinbread Belle Epoch preamp do the same thing? I'm about to pull the trigger on one, partly because of the preamp.
I honestly don't know. My understanding is that the Belle Epoch has the preamp circuit. It also has the 'always one' option for this. I imagine that the difference would be that the Exotic EP Boost has the ability to 'boost', while the Belle Epoch simply has the preamp coloration.
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
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deadlands
Joined: Sep 24, 2012
Posts: 121
Chicago, IL
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 09:58 AM
killbabykill34 wrote:
RaistMagus wrote:
Does the Catalinbread Belle Epoch preamp do the same thing? I'm about to pull the trigger on one, partly because of the preamp.
I honestly don't know. My understanding is that the Belle Epoch has the preamp circuit. It also has the 'always one' option for this. I imagine that the difference would be that the Exotic EP Boost has the ability to 'boost', while the Belle Epoch simply has the preamp coloration.
The Belle's preamp is supposedly closer to the actual EP3 preamp than the EP booster. And it does boost, there is a trim pot inside the pedal that goes from unity to dirty boost.
I own both the BE and the EP Booster, IMO, the BE preamp sounds better. But the EP Booster is definitely no slouch and sounds really good. I still use it at home.
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RaistMagus
Joined: Mar 30, 2011
Posts: 388
Copenhagen
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 10:05 AM
That's good to hear, I'm getting a BE as soon as roguepedals restock it.
— https://zakandthekrakens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dirtyfuse.com
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skeeter
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 2065
Virginia, USA
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Posted on Apr 24 2014 11:43 AM
Yeah, the Belle Epoch preamp is pretty awesome. The only issue I have is sometimes I'll pick up a little RF (radio frequencies) because it's so powerful. Not quite Spinal Tap levels though!
— Paul
Atomic Mosquitos
Bug music for bug people is here!
Killers from Space
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WetBandit
Joined: Feb 01, 2010
Posts: 106
MA
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Posted on Apr 25 2014 05:25 AM
How does the Xotic EP Boost compare to the BBE Boosta Grande? I like the Boosta Grande a lot but would like to try the EP Booster too.
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bobslobandthesloberinos
Joined: Apr 24, 2014
Posts: 9
Mount Doom
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Posted on Apr 25 2014 07:04 AM
I had an EP Booster and traded it. Replaced it with a TC Spark thinking any old clean boost would do. I WAS WRONG 
I'm not gigging/in a band at the moment and struggling to justify any guitar related expenditure but if I was then another EP Booster would be top of the shopping list.
So, yes, the EP part clean boost, part magic pixie. 
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Apr 25 2014 08:01 AM
WetBandit wrote:
How does the Xotic EP Boost compare to the BBE Boosta Grande? I like the Boosta Grande a lot but would like to try the EP Booster too.
I honestly can't say. All I can say is that the EP Booster is more than just a Boost. The Echoplex preamp circuit is sought after because it colors your sound in a very specific way. My understanding of the Boosta Grande is that it is designed to give you up to 20db boost without coloring your sound at all.
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
Last edited: Apr 25, 2014 08:02:59
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on May 14 2014 12:25 PM
Stopped in to get some picks today. Now I have more picks and a EP booster. You guys are a bad influence. Can't wait to get off work and try it out, plus I'm off tomorrow 
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on May 14 2014 12:59 PM
Honestly, this is a moment when we are a good influence. I am glad you pulled the trigger...and you will not regret it...
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on May 14 2014 08:01 PM
I'm definitely not regretting it. I see why Ivan says his is always on. Looking forward to trying out the dip switches and 18v in the morning.
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kick_the_reverb
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 1339
Escondido, CA
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Posted on May 14 2014 09:05 PM
I bought one based on the raving reviews here, and I didn't like what it did to my tone. To me it sounded like a "Loudness" button (more low and high). But it could be that's how it worked with my JM. I had Hans try it with his 88 Mosrite, and it sounded better IMO.
Ran
— The Scimitars
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Surf_Skater
Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
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Posted on Jun 09 2014 02:26 PM
Bump, just because I think it's the best pedal I've ever bought! 
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
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Posted on Jul 15 2014 02:53 PM
Was looking for something slightly different but related & this thread pops up often. Just feeding the search engine 'cause folks end up asking "what setting?" does what. Here's the extract from the Ver 2 pedal's manual, with the "Default" being a 3dB gain when the knob is full CCW & Bright ON, "Unity" being 0dB gain when the knob is zero'd CCW & Bright ON; "Vintage" with 0dB gain and Bright OFF.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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