Clean/semiClean Boost

[Windfeld]

Hi guys.

New to the forum. I am falling in love with the BJFE stuff, so I am starting my collection slowly:D.

What do you use for clean boost? I am looking for a cool boost, and I would love some input. I currently have a Timmy, HBOD, DRD and SBOD/LGW. What works good with those? I love a big lead sound, and I mostly use telecasters, so I would love something to fatten things up a bit for the solos.



- Andreas

[DocRock]

Greetings, and welcome to the forum! I hope that you find useful information, make new friends, and have a lot of fun here.

To answer your boost question, I would say this: if you wish to have a clean boost that will also alter your sound, give greater gain content, push the front end of your amp (or another pedal) then the Red Rooster Booster is just the ticket. This can also be achieved with some of the other models, but I believe RRB is best-suited for this application. If you wish to boost volume levels for a solo to that perfect sweet spot (like reaching over and punching yourself up in the mix on the soundboard) but without changing your tone or gain structure ... the Baby Pink Booster is the one you want, as it was designed specifically for this application, at the end of the chain. It also adds a very nice buffer when in bypass which compensates nicely for larger boards or lengths of cable. RRB, however, is true bypass.

Hope this helps!

Doc

[mudster]

If you can't find the BJFE's recommended above, here are some alternatives I have used.

1. KLON Centaur (the new ones are EXACTLY like the old ones) - I never really cared for this as an overdrive, but as a clean boost for a fender guitar, it is outstanding.

2. Keeley Katana - affordable (used in the $130-150 range), sounds GREAT, and has a pull-out mid boost that sounds like almost exactly what you want - lots of fat tone and you can dial in more or less treble (less sounds great). For just plain boost, leave the switch in, for the fat boost, leave it pulled out. Great pedal and very affordable.

3. Budget method: Find an old TS-9 Tubescreamer, one with the Analog Man "brown sound" mod might be even better, then roll the "drive" knob all the way counter-clockwise to take the distortion away. Adjust the "tone" knob to fit your sound, and the "volume" knob to fit your needed level of boost. There is a slight mid-boost to the TS-9, which is why it is still around after 25+ years. Just FYI, SRV used his tube screamer as a clean boost (but to drive the input real hard, not the same way you are describing) and not as an overdrive, at least until he got the TS10 model.


HAVE FUN!

[huckleboogie]

hi there!! this is what i have found out for me:

if You want a lead sound with more edge than the rhythm (which i personnaly dont find always useful) RRB is cooool. RRB adds edge, or ,treble.

if You want to taylor the EQ of that boosted lead sound, i strongly recommend the SBEQ.

(i'm talkin both boost pedals at the end of the chain of course...RRB in front of an OD is a totally differnt story)

i , for years , have used HBOD as solo boost at the end of the chain. either for lightly overdriven lead, or after the DRD for screaming lead:-) i did this with a Suhr Tele and achieved great results. if You add a fuzz at the beginning of the chain, then, with the extra option of running THAT into the HB, You have a wide array of sounds covered
the new MP "light" overdrive should also be great for this.
but the setup i'm talkin about is for a fairly clean clean , loud amp, like a twin or 50W marshall to start with. if Your amp sound is semi dirty already, i guess a whole different approach would apply.

[Windfeld]

Hi Guys.

I think I will probably try out the RC booster right now. It is kind of cheap, and then I can see what I like, or dislike, and then maybe buy another one later on. Perhaps the new MP pedal will be cool for this... I will definetely get one of those when it arrives.

the Klon seems cool as well, but as mentioned I think I will go for a cheaper one right now, until I am certain exactly what I want.

But thanks a lot for the help!

Andreas

[thiscalltoarms]

I bought my SBEQ to do just what you listed- a boost with a sweet EQ. unfortunately, the EQ is so sweet that my ideal lead tone became an always on pedal, and I'm still trying to find another boost. seriously though- SBEQ have boost and add just enough EQ to fill out your lead tone. just beware of how much it can increase your overall tone. you may not ever want to turn it offf.....

[Donner]

The new MP amber OD I think will find alot of these light dirty boost spots - it nails it and has the right headroom

[Danny Boy]

Greetings, and welcome to the forum! I hope that you find useful information, make new friends, and have a lot of fun here.

To answer your boost question, I would say this: if you wish to have a clean boost that will also alter your sound, give greater gain content, push the front end of your amp (or another pedal) then the Red Rooster Booster is just the ticket. This can also be achieved with some of the other models, but I believe RRB is best-suited for this application. If you wish to boost volume levels for a solo to that perfect sweet spot (like reaching over and punching yourself up in the mix on the soundboard) but without changing your tone or gain structure ... the Baby Pink Booster is the one you want, as it was designed specifically for this application, at the end of the chain. It also adds a very nice buffer when in bypass which compensates nicely for larger boards or lengths of cable. RRB, however, is true bypass.

Hope this helps!

Doc

I totally agree!
I really hope that Björn will make a MP Booster in the future so it will be easier to find a great booster for everyone

[DocRock]

I totally agree!
I really hope that Björn will make a MP Booster in the future so it will be easier to find a great booster for everyone

+100000000000000000

[Windfeld]

That would be really cool!

I think I will try my LGW as a low gain boost right now...