What are your thoughts on the Sparkle Drive

I'm looking at picking up an un modded Sparkle Drive strictly as a clean boost. I want something with head room. I don't want it to grit up the sound or add any drive. What are thoughts on the Sparkle Drive.

That's all I use my Sparkle Drive for, as a clean boost, since I was really disappointed in the fizzy sound of the "Gain". It does a really nice job of slamming the front end of your amp with a big fat signal. Beware that when you turn down the "Blend" to just a clean signal, the the "Tone" control is also disabled/pointless..

TBH you can get the same "boost" by using an EQ or MXR Micro Amp.. I rarely use my SD and will probably sell it.

I like the Sex Drive for what you are describing. You have to crank the gain in order to get it to break up even a little (with vintage style single coils) - it's perfect for what you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgpq3xsqrTg

Of course you could get a Keeley Katana or Java Boost. Or the BOYC boost.

That's all I use my Sparkle Drive for, as a clean boost, since I was really disappointed in the fizzy sound of the "Gain". It does a really nice job of slamming the front end of your amp with a big fat signal. Beware that when you turn down the "Blend" to just a clean signal, the the "Tone" control is also disabled/pointless..

TBH you can get the same "boost" by using an EQ or MXR Micro Amp.. I rarely use my SD and will probably sell it.

Just finished reading up on the Micro amp. That has definitely become a possibility.

+1 on the Durham SexDrive. It's not just a great boost pedal it also adds a little magic to your guitarsound. It fattens up the tone and gives it a nice sparkle. I have mine last in the chain and always on. And since you're actually going to be boosting and not overdriving... :cool:
I love my Sparkle Drive, but I use it more as a regular overdrive, wouldn't go without it. :grin:
( I also like to use smileys..):wink:

I have both the sparkle drive and an Rc booster, love them both, but for what you describe the Rc is better

I like the clean boost side of the SparkleDrive a lot. The OD side is a straight TS9.

MicroAmp would slightly boost the top and bottom. You'd be able to control the EQ changes with RC Booster *much* better.

I'm looking at picking up an un modded Sparkle Drive strictly as a clean boost. I want something with head room. I don't want it to grit up the sound or add any drive. What are thoughts on the Sparkle Drive.

The sparkledrive will do this perfectly. The trick is to use the blend knob (all this does is add your clean signal back in on your dirty signal) for a fatter sound. The drive is the same as the TS808 but cut the drive all the way off and the clean all the way on and you get a totally clean clean boost with no coloration on your sound.The tone knob only works with the dirty channel. FYI= this is not a 2 channel pedal.

cletus

You will get a nice clean boost. My only wish is to get more drive out of this pedal. Does anyone have any mods?

Thanks for all the help here. Due to some recommendations here I'm going with the RC Booster. I found a guy that has a used one in excellent condition for a good price. I may yet still end up with a Sparkle drive but for now we'll see how the RC Booster works out.

The sparkledrive will do this perfectly. The trick is to use the blend knob (all this does is add your clean signal back in on your dirty signal) for a fatter sound. The drive is the same as the TS808 but cut the drive all the way off and the clean all the way on and you get a totally clean clean boost with no coloration on your sound.The tone knob only works with the dirty channel. FYI= this is not a 2 channel pedal.

cletus

Cool tip.
Just tried it on the front of the '62 Bassman and a Dual Recto- does very different things to each of them- both of them very cool.
Kudos.

Cool tip.
Just tried it on the front of the '62 Bassman and a Dual Recto- does very different things to each of them- both of them very cool.
Kudos.

Additional:

Took the Sparkledrive to band rehearsal tonight as used it as a clean boost in front of the Dual Rectifier.
Utterly amazing.
Tightened up the bottom end, really brought out the upper mids and top end.
Single notes had more girth, chords sounded like they were straight off a Foo Fighters record.
Awesome stuff.

IMO the SD does a nice job of the 'put a little hair on it' kind - yep it's a distortion box but it can be a real subtle one. I gotta find one of those Durham boxes to try. I've heard lot's of good about them.