Clean Boosts?

[JohnnyCrash]

This recent Rangemaster build I'm starting has given me the bug to build more effects.

Any bare-bones, basic clean boost circuits you guys can recommend for me to build?

[Brian blaut]

I guess the linear power boost, such as the $40 Electo-Harmonix LPB-2 pedal. Isn't that about as basic as it gets? I think the same or similar circuit is all over the net.

BTW, I love that pedal. Just what the doctor ordered. I'm sure there are more transparent boosts out there, but for $40, its pure gold when you just want a volume boost or to hit your amp harder.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by Brian blaut

I guess the linear power boost, such as the $40 Electo-Harmonix LPB-2 pedal. Isn't that about as basic as it gets? I think the same or similar circuit is all over the net.

BTW, I love that pedal. Just what the doctor ordered. I'm sure there are more transparent boosts out there, but for $40, its pure gold when you just want a volume boost or to hit your amp harder.

I'm looking to build one from scratch.

Any links to schematics?

[ibobunot]

AMZ Mosfet Booster?

Tonepad

[Brian blaut]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

I'm looking to build one from scratch.

Any links to schematics?

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/...=72&Itemid=103

click 'schematic' link

[Guitar_Ninja]

The AMZ Mini Booster is also really good, and a really simple circuit. It's what the Bad Bob and the original Fulltone Fat Boost are based off of.

[Talmir]

dumb question, but what exactly does a clean boost do? Is it just to boost volume? Drive the amp harder? Create distortion? what?

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by Talmir

dumb question, but what exactly does a clean boost do? Is it just to boost volume? Drive the amp harder? Create distortion? what?

Yes, all of the above..

Keeley Clean Boost Pedal

[rpjones]

Don't build the AMZ Mini-Boost if you want a clean boost. I have built both, and the Mini-Booster, while a great sounding pedal, is not clean at all, it adds a lot of grit even at minimum settings. The Mosfet Boost is crystal clear and really makes your pickups come alive due to the very high input impedance, it adds a lot of sparkle to your sound. My suggestion is to build both, pedal building is very addictive.

[Marshall Thinline]

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/index1.html
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/

[JohnnyCrash]

I'm looking to scratch build - no kits. I get parts for dirt cheap.

[Marshall Thinline]

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/

If you explore these projects, they have the schematics and parts layout.
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/...g_sbb_sc_i.pdf

[urizen]

Still happiest w/ the ZVex Super-Duper 2-in-1.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by ibobunot

AMZ Mosfet Booster?

That looks very simple, as well as a flat, clean boost.

Originally Posted by Guitar_Ninja

The AMZ Mini Booster is also really good, and a really simple circuit. It's what the Bad Bob and the original Fulltone Fat Boost are based off of.

Originally Posted by rpjones

Don't build the AMZ Mini-Boost if you want a clean boost. I have built both, and the Mini-Booster, while a great sounding pedal, is not clean at all, it adds a lot of grit even at minimum settings. The Mosfet Boost is crystal clear and really makes your pickups come alive due to the very high input impedance, it adds a lot of sparkle to your sound. My suggestion is to build both, pedal building is very addictive.

I can really only build one, but I think the AMZ Mosfet Booster is the one I'll go with. The Mini-Boost looks to have a little bit more to it, and also looks like more gain. I've got a TS808 Tubescreamer clone I built as well as this Rangemaster Treble Booster I'm half done with.

A clean, flat boost sounds like it would not be redundant... may have other uses too (perhaps a preamp, or other stuff if I mod it a bit).

I finished putting the parts on perfboard for my Rangemaster and I am super excited! I'm learning the process of scratch building pedals (schematic to perfboard layout) and can't wait to finish the RM and start the Mosfet Boost.

A few years ago I was a tube snob and hated effects. I had to use them for some projects I was in (gigging as a rhythm guitarist in a band not my own). Now that I'm involved in several projects I actually find a lot of use in effects - and I enjoy what they do for some sounds.

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

That looks very simple, as well as a flat, clean boost.

I'm a big fan of very simple...

More Links

http://www.muzique.com/
http://www.tonepad.com/
http://www.beavisaudio.com/index.htm
http://www.runoffgroove.com/index.html
http://smallbox.zeonhost.com/
http://www.diystompboxes.com/

[Vizcaster]

Originally Posted by Talmir

dumb question, but what exactly does a clean boost do? Is it just to boost volume? Drive the amp harder? Create distortion? what?

Not a dumb question at all. Like Ibobunot says, all of the above.

Also, even at low volume settings where you're close to unity-gain without a volume boost, the pedal will serve as a buffer which helps keep the signal from degrading over the extra distance it has to travel through all your other pedals and the extra cable length from the board to the amp. Then you'll find that some of your other pedals get along very well behind the booster and of course experimenting with the order of your pedals is half the fun. Mine is an old MXR Micro Amp (modified for full bypass with an LED and a power tap) that I thought I'd just use for a little volume boost for leads, but I found it has many other uses in ehancing the personality of the guitar and amp. It does, however, have a click when it's engaged.

There's a series of articles on the Gibson forum, lifestyle section, that explains the categories and most famous users of each type of stomp box, and as long as you wash afterwards before returning to this forum I don't think anybody will mind you checking over there.