Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

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armyofbees
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by armyofbees » Fri Jun 29, 2018 9:39 am

I use the Xotic EP Booster (though it acts as a clean boost it does add a bit of sparkle to the tone). I had the microamp but it just didn't hit the mark for me on my board.

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marqueemoon
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by marqueemoon » Thu Jul 19, 2018 9:25 pm

Anyone using a boost with an expression pedal insert? My board is tiny and I like the idea of being able to quickly patch in an expression pedal to use as a volume pedal off board when I need it and leave it at home when I don't.

So far it looks like the Vertex, Supro, and MF boosts have this option. Are there others?

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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by sdgails » Fri Jul 20, 2018 3:45 pm

Use an Overdrive Pedal as a Clean Boost

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d-rock
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by d-rock » Tue Jul 31, 2018 4:31 am

Lately I'm using a JFET Boost built into a wooden enclosure by OSG member storyboardist. You could probably ask David the details but it's pretty great full boost paired with my Blues Jr. If I kick the boost on and dig in a bit to the strings it gets that wonderful amp gain you just can't duplicate with overdrive or distortion pedals. It's also the only boost pedal that I actually like when I play acoustic.
Last edited by d-rock on Tue Aug 21, 2018 3:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Spitshaded
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by Spitshaded » Tue Jul 31, 2018 5:32 am

I've been using the Xotic EP Booster for a handful of years now & it has become my one always-on pedal. It stays on the board no matter what. I agree it does add a little sparkle to the tone. Whenever I turn it off I feel like my guitars just don't sound as nice. I keep thinking about buying another one to truly act as a boost, but think maybe I should try a different boost too... don't want to start going down a clean boost rabbit hole...

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marqueemoon
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by marqueemoon » Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:41 am

I’ve started using my MOD Kits Pile Driver at the front of my bass chain (pre-compressor) set just above unity gain as suggested by another poster here. It does a nice job making everything a little bigger.

Long term I’m thinking I might replace it with an Alchemy modded Bass Soul Food so I can add a touch of grit if I want for backline amp situations.

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Sid Nitzerglobin
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by Sid Nitzerglobin » Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:05 am

For a pretty darn clean boost I'm still a fan of the Fulltone Fat Boost FB-3. Plenty of output, a nice unobtrusive little bit of breakup enhancement if you dial up the drive knob and a whole bunch of frequency shaping range that seems to maintain the original character of the signal very well aside from a bit of pixie dust sweetening that seems to work beautifully just about universally w/ a really broad range of guitar, amps, and pedals.

Next up is probably a tie between the Wampler Tumnus and Nocturne Atomic or Mystery Brain, but they are a bit more situational for me.

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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by clef051 » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:20 am

I use a zvex super duper 2 in 1, one channel is basically always on. If I need to hit the amp even hard i turn on the second channel.

I'm going into a Ampeg v4. It just sounds fantastic. knobs are set at about 2 o'clock for both channels. volume at 3 o'clock. and the amps volume just a little under half way up.

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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by s_mcsleazy » Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:12 am

for the last 8 years, ive been switching between my old standby, a made by mike saltbooster and a pharaoh class a boost (however the pharaoh is not a clean boost) sadly, i killed my class a boost a while ago and my saltbooster is starting to get a little crackly (im thinking it has a leaky transistor)

my issue with most clean boosts is they tend not to get along with my klone.
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marqueemoon
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by marqueemoon » Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:57 pm

s_mcsleazy wrote:
Wed Aug 08, 2018 11:12 am
my issue with most clean boosts is they tend not to get along with my klone.
Yeah, I was able to try a few with an Archer Ikon when I was shopping and the Creation MK 4.23 was the clear winner. They complement each other well. The worst match was an EP Booster. I’m a boost after drive person.

I was REALLY tempted to buy an Arrows V2 when they were 15% off on Saturday, but I resisted.

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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:10 pm

marqueemoon wrote:
Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:57 pm
I was REALLY tempted to buy an Arrows V2 when they were 15% off on Saturday, but I resisted.
I hate when I get emails for EQD sales. I want to buy everything! I've been tempted by the Pyramids, and I traditionally don't even like flangers.
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Sid Nitzerglobin
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by Sid Nitzerglobin » Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:13 pm

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:10 pm
marqueemoon wrote:
Wed Aug 08, 2018 8:57 pm
I was REALLY tempted to buy an Arrows V2 when they were 15% off on Saturday, but I resisted.
I hate when I get emails for EQD sales. I want to buy everything! I've been tempted by the Pyramids, and I traditionally don't even like flangers.
I fell for the Pyramids like that myself. It's a really cool flanger but it winds up sitting there looking cool more than it winds up doing any flanging for me... :-[

On topic, tonight I'm super loving the Nocturne Atomic Brain before the time/mod stuff w/ the JHS Prestige (buffered SHO clone) as the last thing in line before the high input on the AST Pro. Never tried the combo before last night but I think they have me totally covered from beautiful "enhanced" cleans through some surprisingly heavy raunchy crunch just through picking dynamics. Stomping the Abby switch on the Brain and really digging in can take it right up to the doorstep of grindcore in the best possible way w/ earplugs still being optional ;D

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Shadoweclipse13
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 10:20 pm

Dude! Have any clips of that? That sounds amazing. It looks cool too, just from a cursory Google search.
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by tinybobseger » Thu Aug 09, 2018 8:53 am

I'm a huge fan of Caroline Guitar Company, and the Icarus clean boost they make is exceptionally good.

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sessylU
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Re: Let's nerd out on clean boosts.

Post by sessylU » Sun Aug 12, 2018 7:36 am

For ages I used an MBM Saltbooster, which I think is basically an LPB-1 tweaked to be a little bassier. It gives a but of a push in the lower mids, which was great for solos etc. Super usable. Not very exotic or fancy, but very, very practical and useful. For ages it was the only pedal I used (volume knob on Telecaster for cleans, overdriven amp for normal tones, Saltbooster for wig out solos. All tones I'd need!)

Now, it's been replaced by a McPherson Red Boost. I have no idea what this pedal is as I received it as a gift, other than to say that it is brilliant. The maker sometimes does one off type and custom type stuff. This pedal isn't menioned anywhere on his website anymore but at the time I received I gathered it might have been a prototype or something. I've since received a Red Llama clone from the same maker and it's also very good. He's based in NZ where my brother lives and I occasionally receive a pedal in the post!

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