BOOST PEDALS?

[TeleManMeSelf]

I need some help on which pedal to get. Right now I have a fender musicmaster which is an all clean tube amp. So I use a Fulltone OCD for overdrive/distortion. But I can't seem to get enough sustain or boost on my solos. Whats the best boost pedal to stack on top of my OCD to get that solo sustain and boost? I would put my max spending at around 150 or 160 bucks

[Okieactor]

Hmmmm...I'm not an expert on boost pedals, but I think they are a relatively simple pedal. I am currently using a Visual Sound Comp 66, which has a "clean boost" setting, which is more gain, less comp and the tone bypassed. I mention it, because I love it as a compressor/sustainer, and that could have solo/boost applications as well.

I don't really see a boost as a make or break pedal choice. Usual suspects are going to be BBE Boosta Grande, Seymour Duncan Pickup booster, Keeley Java Boost, maybe MXR Micro Amp, RC Booster, people seem to like these.

I'd also throw out that you use an EQ like the Boss 7 band or MXR 10 band for this purpose and then you can also tweak EQ settings. You could also look at a pedal like the Fulltone Fulldrive, which gives you a built in boost switch for solos. Some players like to "stack" overdrives, meaning they leave one on for rhythm and then kick in a second one for solos (I believe the usual way is to kick a pedal with more mids in for solos, especially since you have an OCD, which people describe as flat or scooped.) "Stacking" of course means your sound gets much dirtier for solos, unless you pull the gain back on both pedals.
Do a search, this topic is well covered, though.

[soulgeezer]

This:



http://www.pedalspluseffectswarehous.../rdzn-gngr.htm

Designed and built by hand in the USA by one of my best friends, Kenny Segall. For what you're looking for - sustain and boost - it's really, really hard to beat. And, the price is very reasonable as well.

Not to mention, if anything ever goes wrong with it, you can literally call Kenny and he'll fix it for you. Yes, he's that nice a guy.

I recommend it. Others may have different suggestions, but I think the Gain Green will do what you want and save you a few pennies to boot.

[TeleManMeSelf]

definitely looks cool, but I cant find anything on youtube. Any sound samples online?

[soulgeezer]

Originally Posted by TeleManMeSelf

definitely looks cool, but I cant find anything on youtube. Any sound samples online?

There are some samples on this page:

http://www.redzoneeffects.com/Gain-Green.html

By the way, you can also call Kenny, if you have any questions. Here's his store's Web site: http://www.kennysmusicbox.com/ He has pedals in stock, so you can buy direct from him, rather than going through a third-party vendor.

The Red Zone effects aren't made anymore, because Kenny and his business partner split. The Red Zone site went to Kenny's partner, as part of the separation agreement. So, if you want to buy from Kenny, call him at his shop. I know he has a cabinet full of Gain Greens, so there shouldn't be any problem getting one.

[twangster2]

BBE boosta Grande

MXR micro amp

All boost pedals

[Wyzsard]

Originally Posted by TeleManMeSelf

I need some help on which pedal to get. Right now I have a fender musicmaster which is an all clean tube amp. So I use a Fulltone OCD for overdrive/distortion. But I can't seem to get enough sustain or boost on my solos. Whats the best boost pedal to stack on top of my OCD to get that solo sustain and boost? I would put my max spending at around 150 or 160 bucks

A Barber Tone Press will give you both sustain and boost. Add a Barber Barb EQ to make that little amp sound like a blackface or tweed and forget it

[TeleManMeSelf]

Originally Posted by soulgeezer

There are some samples on this page:

http://www.redzoneeffects.com/Gain-Green.html

By the way, you can also call Kenny, if you have any questions. Here's his store's Web site: http://www.kennysmusicbox.com/ He has pedals in stock, so you can buy direct from him, rather than going through a third-party vendor.

The Red Zone effects aren't made anymore, because Kenny and his business partner split. The Red Zone site went to Kenny's partner, as part of the separation agreement. So, if you want to buy from Kenny, call him at his shop. I know he has a cabinet full of Gain Greens, so there shouldn't be any problem getting one.

Is it a germanium pedal?

[soulgeezer]

Originally Posted by TeleManMeSelf

Is it a germanium pedal?

I don't know. However, as it's tip-negative, I tend to think it's not. (Germanium pedals are usually positive-ground.)

Give Kenny a call and ask him. He's very friendly and always happy to answer questions. (He's also quite a character and kind of an absent-minded professor; I think you'll enjoy speaking with him.)

[TeleManMeSelf]

Do you have his e-mail and phone? thanks

[soulgeezer]

Kenny's shop: 973-927-6711 (99% of the time, he answers the phone himself. It's best to call early in the day, before the shop gets busy.)

kenny@kennysegall.com

[Dave_O]

Get one of these...



... bump up the level 10db (2/3 the way up). pull up to 10db of the very top and very bottom out, and away you go.

[Tarnisher]

I've been using The Danelectro Fish n Chips:


It's only $25, and if I keep the EQ faders flat, it simply makes my guitar louder, without any other noticeable change.

Edit: Just re-read your post, and realized that you're looking for sustain too. I have an OCD, and while I love the sound, I agree, it lacks sustain. Here are a few ideas:

• Compression pedal like the Philosopher's Tone to increase sustain
• another dirt or boost pedal before the OCD (something cheap might actually sound great in combination with the OCD)
• fuzz
• lose the OCD like I did and get something with better sustain

[cousinpaul]

I've got the Xotic EP Boost. Nice pedal; it seems to sweeten the tone a bit.

[blargfromspace]

The Bad Bob is the best boost I've tried. If you need heaps more sustain then you might be better off with another overdrive pedal

[chaseroonie]

While we are on the subject, I got a Wampler Ego comp for Christmas, I will replace my VS comp 66 which I will hang onto. I'd like to keep my Comp 66 on board and run it to the amp at the end of my chain as a boost. I experimented a little and it sounded ok for when I'll need a boost, but I haven't tried it live in show. Anyone else use 2 compressors, with one for boost? Im thinking I'll get a good kick by just dialing off the compression almost completely and setting the gain to the right level for boost. I just hope I'm not missing the point of the 'Boost'.

[danieljaypark]

THE BEST BOOST IS THE DURHAM SEXDRIVE PEDAL. HOLY CANOLY ONCE YOU'LL HAVE HARD TIME TURNING IT OFF. You can thank me later ;)

I've just got a Timmy Pedal and it can sure be used as a boost. Increases your sustain dramatically.

[garytelecastor]

I am going to add my 2 cents.

I would grab a Barber Tone Press.

Makes a great compressor and it also makes a great full boost.

[Jagg76]

If you're after a clean boost or dirty/clean boost. The RC Booster.

[basher]

I really like the way the Fulltone Fat Boost works with the OCD. I think they should be sold as a set.