Treble Boosters

[Gringo13]

Looking at a "different" approach to my overdriven sound. After reading some of the replies to my needs for an OD for an already gritty tweed Bassman, I think that a treble booster may be my best bet. As discussed before, looking for that rock n roll tone from The Stones, Faces, Black Crowes, so I really want an OD that can compliment my driven tweed amps and add a touch of fuzz. The Sun Lion would seem ideal, but I don't have the budget for that.

I'm looking at the EQD Crimson Drive, MJM Dallas Boost, and Analogman Beano Boost... and taking suggestions. How do these compare/stack up?

EQD Crimson Drive... No necessarily a true treble boost, but seems to bridge the gap between treble boost, od, and fuzz so it seems really versatile and could really help get those "cranked Bassman" tones at a much lower volume.


MJM Dallas Boost


Analogman Beano

 

[BWNadeau]

Of the ones you've posted, I've only tried the mim. Its a very nice booster. Anytime the boost conversation comes up, a Timmy is one of the first pedals that pops in my mind, but I recently purchased a nitro boost from solidgoldfx and it is amazing. You can set it to boost lows or treble, and it has two stages of gain lousy a clean setting that makes the lows huge and the highs very jangly. I blight it as a booster but its on pretty much all the time now.

 

[telefunken]

I have a Keeley Java Boost treble booster. It has a three way switch that lets you add some bass back into the signal if a pure treble booster is too shrill. It's almost like three pedals in one. 1 treble booster and 2 great OD's.
http://www.robertkeeley.com/products/boost/java-boost/

 

[borz666]

I always thought the last thing a Tele needs is a treble boost

 

[Mr_Mer]

I always thought the last thing a Tele needs is a treble boost

This.

I rather use a compressor to add sustain and a little volume. Or use amodern TS808 for a simple boost.

Yet, I do own an Analogman Beano Boost and use it regularly on my JTM45 repro amp, together with Les Pauls (and pretty much any humbucker equipped guitar).

 

[gtrguru]

Ya the Java might be a good option. I can't see wanting any more treble with a Tele. I usually have my guitar tone nob down a bit and crank it when I need it to sing.

 

[Gringo13]

Thanks for the responses so far! I can certainly understand not wanting any more brightness from a Tele in many instances, but in a band setting sometimes you need those frequencies to be a bit thicker. From what I've read and heard, treble boosters don't quite act like turning the treble knob at the amp. Perhaps they add a brightness, but it seems they really make the higher frequencies thicker to push the amp a little. Some of the germanium treble boosts really have a nice push to those frequencies that just turning a treble or guitar knob doesn't give you. Of course, I'm still learning about these pedals.

FWIW, I've yet to play a TS-style pedal that I've bonded with and most overdrives seem to fit better when playing a clean amp and just take away from the sweetness and dynamics of the Bassman's natural overdrive. The Timmy certainly seems like a good option, but I've heard they can be a bit more difficult to dial in. I don't really like fiddling with pedals... especiall onstage... but maybe I can give a Timmy a try. I can definitely see a treble boost being overkill if using a clean BF-style amp and in those circumstances I'm sure a more standard OD would definitely be best.

 

[artdecade]

Boy oh boy...

A Treble Boost does not just boost treble, people. Back in the 60s, Vox amps would start to sound like a warm fart in the low end whenever they started cooking. A Treble Booster cuts low end and pushes the other frequencies into overdrive (not just the treble). The SD-1 (and similar boosts) do the same thing. They just thin the bottom so that your tone doesn't get loose and flubby.

Listen to Rory Gallaghter and Brian May...

 

[borz666]

Just so you know, my comment above was ment as a little joke..
So here i my constructive coment: Try a boss GE7, very underated as a front end boost

 

[uriah1]

Do they still make the Diaz Treble booster.? Saw good things on that., probaby
based on rangemaster

I had a luxury drive, that boosted that freq, and others., really great.

 

[bowman]

I second the Luxury Drive, great Rangemaster clone. I use one with my Excelsior and it makes that amp sound great.

 

[Shango66]

Tried the MJM earlier range master boost. It thickens things up nicely.
It has a switch up top that works well when using single coils or humbuckers.

 

[tele salivas]

I have both a Devi Ever Ruby and the Heavy Electronics Radio Havana. Both are pretty bitchin', but the Radio Havana will give you a really great fuzz sound, as well as that blown speaker thing if you want to try that for some things. The Devi Ever has lots more volume on tap, as well as the ability to go into this wavery distortion.

 

[ac15]

I've got the Beano Boost. If you use overdrive at all (pedal or amp), the Beano is the magic ingredient to use along with it. Makes it cut through and helps provide a sound that at once is larger than life, authoritative and familiar (60's and 70's Britrock tones). I recommend it.

 

[ac15]

I always thought the last thing a Tele needs is a treble boost

You're missing out, and you probably don't understand what a treble boost is.

I did see your later comment (after I posted initially) about the graphic EQ. It's not the same and you cannot get an eq pedal to do what a treble booster does. I've tried. Totally different effect.

As for Teles with treble boosters, one fantastic tone is to use the neck pickup with overdrive so it's sort of flutey or "bassy." Then kick on the treble booster and what you get is this thick but still clear overdriven sound that is just killer.

 

[Flakey]

Xotic pedal EP boster for me. I like the 2 internal switches that control how the pedal is voiced.



and





my .02

 

[tjalla]

You're missing out, and you probably don't understand what a treble boost is.

I too missed the glory of treble boosts until in a trade I received a Time Machine Boost (pre-keeley, handwired). I can highly recommend one of these, as you essentially get a Keeley Java (vintage treble boost) and Katana (modern full range boost), in one unit.

 

[cousinpaul]

The HBE Germania is a great rangemaster clone for the money and has a couple of switchable options. Looks cool on the board, too.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

I always thought the last thing a Tele needs is a treble boost

[/B]

This.

I rather use a compressor to add sustain and a little volume. Or use amodern TS808 for a simple boost.

Yet, I do own an Analogman Beano Boost and use it regularly on my JTM45 repro amp, together with Les Pauls (and pretty much any humbucker equipped guitar).

You would think so, right ? :idea:


. . . but look at Rory Gallagher & Brian May's signiture tones.



Tele & Str*t -->Range Matster Treb Booster -->Vox AC30

Home made short scale guitar with Burns single coils -->Treb Booster -->Vox AC30

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Gotta love Throbak . . .