Fat Boost Pedal

[Marc Morfei]

I am looking to fill one specific niche on my board. Need a fat/raunchy rhythm tone for certain songs. I play a strat through a Princeton Reverb or Vox AC15. Those are both kinda chimey sparkly amps, so I have the high end covered. I have a few ODs already, including an Xotic EP Boost which is great for fat cleans. But I'm not quite getting the right fat gain, even when paired with one of my other ODs. So I'm looking for a pedal to do that. I want chunky, not fuzzy. After watching lots of videos and reviews, I am looking at these: Fulltone Fat Boost, Barber Direct Drive, and MXR Il Torino or El Diavolo (if I can figure out the difference). Anyone have a recommendation among these, or similar? (Needs to be under $100 used.) Thanks,

 

[Chunkocaster]

I like to stomp on one of these to fatten things up when needed.
Just blend it in to taste.

 

[heltershelton]

i recently got the analogman bad bob, and it is just plain awesome. i also use vox tube amps.
you might be able to find one used for around $100.
new they are $149, and worth it.

 

[schmee]

A thought: If you dont feel you need 2 tone pots, Install the EC mid boost in your strat. It adds another dimension to the strat. The module will fit right in the cavity. They seem to go for ~$50 new now. I love mine for comping, rifs and chording. Just set it on low 1-2 on the dial.

 

[ric4682]

I am looking to fill one specific niche on my board. Need a fat/raunchy rhythm tone for certain songs. I play a strat through a Princeton Reverb or Vox AC15. Those are both kinda chimey sparkly amps, so I have the high end covered. I have a few ODs already, including an Xotic EP Boost which is great for fat cleans. But I'm not quite getting the right fat gain, even when paired with one of my other ODs. So I'm looking for a pedal to do that. I want chunky, not fuzzy. After watching lots of videos and reviews, I am looking at these: Fulltone Fat Boost, Barber Direct Drive, and MXR Il Torino or El Diavolo (if I can figure out the difference). Anyone have a recommendation among these, or similar? (Needs to be under $100 used.) Thanks,

I've never used the Barber, but have a little experience with the other 3. The Fulltone is really more about tone shaping/volume boosting than adding gain or crunch. Both MXR pedals are great, but I think the Diavolo would be better suited to your goal since it has more gain and a thicker tone. The Torino is more open sounding and has a "grind" as opposed to the fatter tone of the Diavolo. They're both versatile though and capable of a wide range of tones.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Just got a Soul Food used, and fat is a good word for it. Gigged with it once, and ended up keeping it on for the whole show.

 

[D_Malone]

The Skreddy Hybrid Fuzz Driver is one you should look into. It can be used as a great clean boost, although it's not transparent. It adds some lower mids/grunt, even when set clean. It has amazing dynamics and cleans up well with your guitar volume.

 

[heltershelton]

ill bet a million dollars he goes with the gain changer.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

ill bet a million dollars he goes with the gain changer.

If my old LTD v.1 is any indicator, it's an excellent choice.

 

[archtop_fjk]

I have a Way Huge Saucy Box which fits the fat, low to moderate overdrive/boost category. Nice pedal and not too expensive.

 

[ICTRock]

I'm partial to the ep pre +

 

[bgmacaw]

EQ pedal into your choice of overdrive?

 

[Tommy Biggs]

Bad bob.

 

[DaveKS]

Old Morley JD10, Low Gain mode, speaker sim on, bass rolled up, gain at edge of breakup, you won’t get a fatter edge of clean boost.

https://reverb.com/item/15248783-mo...-effects-pedal-preamp-cabinet-simulator-boost

also probably the best EQ ever put in a pedal, so many usable fat drive tones in this pedal.

 

[scottser]

EQ pedal into your choice of overdrive?

this.

 

[Obelisk]

A modded Graphic or Parametric EQ would be my choice. I personally use an older Ibanez GE-601 for exactly the purpose you are seeking. It works great, but was modded to have a bit more speed and clarity. It has 12 db of boost and will drive a tube amp into overdrive. EQ pedals are very underrated for the purpose of boosting.

For a thickener pedal I have been using a Black Arts Black Forest pedal for quite some time. That pedal works great to add some bass and a bit a drive. With its Orange amp F.A.C. 6 setting switch, it also works with a bunch of different pickups. A definite sleeper pedal because guitarists think of them strictly being a metal players pedal. You can find them used for $100, but they are hard to find at that cost. I bought mine used for $110 and it is one of the best drive pedals I own. The early Fulltone Fat Boost was a good sounding pedal, but I never heard either revision. I don't know the Barber, but many around here extol its virtues. Bunch of different choices out there.

 

[Marc Morfei]

LOts of good advice here. I ended up buying a Barber GainChanger and Spark Boost, both used on Reverb. I will report back my impressions, after I receive them. I do think I will pick up an EQ pedal at some point too. That seems like a useful thing to have.

 

[Bird Dog]

I recently got a Fat Boost. It's great. Love Fulltone stuff. I also have a Earthquaker Tone Job that allows a little more flexibility in tone sculpting.

 

[wrathfuldeity]

Old Morley JD10, Low Gain mode, speaker sim on, bass rolled up, gain at edge of breakup, you won’t get a fatter edge of clean boost.

https://reverb.com/item/15248783-mo...-effects-pedal-preamp-cabinet-simulator-boost

also probably the best EQ ever put in a pedal, so many usable fat drive tones in this pedal.

Absolute Truth

 

[D_Malone]

LOts of good advice here. I ended up buying a Barber GainChanger and Spark Boost, both used on Reverb. I will report back my impressions, after I receive them. I do think I will pick up an EQ pedal at some point too. That seems like a useful thing to have.

Good stuff. Those are both fantastic. Looking forward to your impressions.