• From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Topic: Pedal solo Boost.

Anyone here using a treble boost pedal for boosting for solos? I have my little class 5 sounding great at home but I am struggling to get a decent boosted sound. I use the class 5 at home and run a blackstar HT-dual up front. I have it set up so that channel one is a great crunchy rythm tone. The the settings are shared for channel 2 but I can;t get the lead tone I'm looking for. I want to get a pedal to boost so that it sings for solos. I have ran a TC electronic classic overdrive pedal but couldn;t really get to grips with the sound. I have had 2 TS9 pedals in the past but could never get what I was looking for. The tone always seemed to go too nasal. The pedals i'm considering are.

Ibanez or maxon 808.
MXR micro amp
some sort of treble booster.

Anyone have any thoughts on the above?

Sorry for posting this again but I'm looking for some advice before I spend my dosh.

  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

Ibanez 808 Ri is the best overall pedal available.  I'll use one on anything.  Set right, it will sweeten up your tone and make it sing...

Ben

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

OCD will get you a good boosted / lead sound really is a great pedal... How about setting your rhythm sound by the guitar volume and boost it with the guitars controls? Other than them 2 which I use I know other guys who use equaliser pedals to set in a rhythm sound and when its turned off they have a great lead / boosted sound..

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

I have a Carl Martin Hot Drive and Boost MK1 - the OD is ok, very TS9 like but the boost on it is amazing, very good clean transparent boost.

  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

I had a Keeley Java Boost, but I was only using Strats at the time and it was a little thin with them, so I sent it back. Now that I have a Les Paul, I would like to try it again.  The Fulltone Robin Trower pedal is very good for your application. It is pricey, but I would describe it as a cleaner, more natural sounding tube screamer with a lot of sustain.  It is a great pedal and works well with Marshalls or Fenders, and it is also great at at hitting another drive pedal.  I also like the Barber Small Fry.  It flirts with the Dumble sound about as well as a pedal can.

  • DAN
  • Gold Member
  • Offline
  • From: Lima, Ohio
  • Registered: 2010-01-14
  • Posts: 94

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

I have the Carl Martin Hydra Boost....that's all it does, is boost volume. One chicken head volume knob, and a latch style foot button. Is not noisy at all.>> DAN

79' Epiphone Genesis Custom, 89' pre-reissue Les Paul Standard, 90'Strat Plus,
02' Tele (ash), 91' Martin HD-28, Epi A-12 acoustic, Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

this might sound freakish, up but try a wah pedal. Don't use it to wah-wah... but use it to get the extra treble you might need to cut through the mix. I think seymour duncan has a boost pedal. I'd go with that or the 808.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: kentucky
  • Registered: 2008-03-06
  • Posts: 304

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

my two favorites are the

Ibanez TS 808

xotic BB Preamp....here is a little BB preamp you tube video i did as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYjyx6xuKXY

masque's Website

  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

I'm thinking now that something like the fulldrive 2 would be a good option. Overdrive and boost in one pedal. Another option i'm considering is getting the fuchs plush drive and some sort of boost for that. The blackstar would give me the marshall overdrive and the fuchs the dumble type thing. I know i should be happy with what I have but just sold a guitar and have some spare cash.

My thoughts are now.

BB Preamp
808 of somesort
Fulldrive 2
Keep the blackstar and get a fulltone fat boost!

  • macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

I use an Analogman Beano Boost.  I have used several clean boosts and overdrive pedals as solo boosts and so far the only pedal that can put my Budda Phatman into the singing solo sustain territory for solos is the Beano Boost (though I use it in the more midrange boost setting).  Highly recommended.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

A middy ped before a middy amp will not satisfy you.
If you didn't like the TS-9 then stay away from the Maxon and any TS-ish ped.
I rather would try a OCD as it doesn't push the mids like a TS.
A treble booster is a totally differnt bird. I love them.
With a strat you can go from crispy clean to insanity only on the volume pot.
Works great really. But these boosters doesn't like all humbucker guitars.
I can imagine the class 5 should work wee with it. You need to try.

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

Stratovari's Website

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

Fuzzblues wrote:

Anyone here using a treble boost pedal for boosting for solos? I have my little class 5 sounding great at home but I am struggling to get a decent boosted sound. I use the class 5 at home and run a blackstar HT-dual up front. I have it set up so that channel one is a great crunchy rythm tone. The the settings are shared for channel 2 but I can;t get the lead tone I'm looking for. I want to get a pedal to boost so that it sings for solos. I have ran a TC electronic classic overdrive pedal but couldn;t really get to grips with the sound. I have had 2 TS9 pedals in the past but could never get what I was looking for. The tone always seemed to go too nasal. The pedals i'm considering are.

Ibanez or maxon 808.
MXR micro amp
some sort of treble booster.

Anyone have any thoughts on the above?

Sorry for posting this again but I'm looking for some advice before I spend my dosh.


For what you want take the plunge and get a Klon Centuer. It does exactly what you want better than anything else around. Serious money though.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • From: Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-02-11
  • Posts: 453

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

After much trying out and internet surfage I decided on the fulltone fat boost 3. I'm running straight into the blackstar HT-dual. I am loving the tone from this. It does exactly what is says on the tin. The bass and treble controls are not the most effective but they do help shape the tone slightly. fair enough it probably doesn't cut like a mid heavy pedal but this is not what I was looking for. Thanks for the input and opinions.

  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

FB

Good choice. I had one and loved it. It was great for jazzy sounds too as a light OD.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.
  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Pedal solo Boost.

Agree with earlier mentioned:  TS-808 RI or Fulltone Fulldrive II - if you can't get it with one of these, just never going to happen IMO.