• From: Qc,Canada
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 27

Topic: Carl martin Hot Drive n' boost

Hi !

This is my first time using the JB forum & I'm really happy. Sorry if sometimes it's difficult to understand what I wrote cause I'm a french guy from Quebec,Canada and my english is not well as yours. But..... I'll do my best of course. Now Talking music !! I recently heard Joe on youtube speaking about the Carl Martin Hot Drive n' boost. I want to know more about that.... What is the exact function of that pedal in Joe's setup. Is just a clean boost over the clean channel ... an overdrive in substitution to the tubescreamer. A volume boost for all the solo. Is it possible that Joe use it with a bit of drive over the drive channel of the amp ?

I don't believe in psychology....I believe in good move - Robert James (Bobby) Fischer
  • From: Germany / Hamburg
  • Registered: 2008-08-11
  • Posts: 494

Re: Carl martin Hot Drive n' boost

Could you post a link to that clip? I think its a video of his older "Signatured Sounds And Styles" DVD, for maybe the last two years he doesn't use the Hot Drive'n Blues anymore. This year he is going to use some new gear, but last year he used a TS808, a modded Dunlop Fuzz Face and a Gas Pedals Carburetor to "enhance" his sound, for overdrive sounds he mostly used the amp's overdrive.

You can also take look here: http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=9157
That's his 2008 rig, there are a few little mistakes (scroll down a little bit, Joe corrected them).

I'll listen to the video again, cant remember it now...

P.S.: I'm from Germany, many people on this board can't speak "perfect" english...
     Oh and... WELCOME TO THE BOARD!


francis0181 wrote:

Hi !

This is my first time using the JB forum & I'm really happy. Sorry if sometimes it's difficult to understand what I wrote cause I'm a french guy from Quebec,Canada and my english is not well as yours. But..... I'll do my best of course. Now Talking music !! I recently heard Joe on youtube speaking about the Carl Martin Hot Drive n' boost. I want to know more about that.... What is the exact function of that pedal in Joe's setup. Is just a clean boost over the clean channel ... an overdrive in substitution to the tubescreamer. A volume boost for all the solo. Is it possible that Joe use it with a bit of drive over the drive channel of the amp ?

Here are my tabbed songs by "Smokin' Joe": http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7236
I LIKE MUSIC! big_smile big_smile big_smile

3 Reply by stratpaulguy86 (edited by stratpaulguy86 2009-02-16 19:57:57)

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Carl martin Hot Drive n' boost

Welcome to the board!  Joe has a certain "recipe" to get his lead tones.  He likes to push his amps very hard with sheer volume to distort the power section (about 90% of the sound), then slams the front end of that with a clean boost or other booster pedal.  If you are using a overdrive pedal try maxing the volume on the pedal and turning the gain down or off.  In regards to the Carl Martin HD&B he only used the Boost section to my knowledge.  I think he likes that pedal for the Strats, but got rid of it soon after he dumped the Fenders.  Check out this video of his more updated rig and how he uses his pedals and amps...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2yHFbT63ug

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Qc,Canada
  • Registered: 2009-01-24
  • Posts: 27

Re: Carl martin Hot Drive n' boost

Thanks for the advice.

I use rivera fandango, Strat hotrod 62 reissue and a Ibanez Ts9 and did exactly all the things you said. I can't crank the volume at home but at low volume it sounds like "Trouble Waiting, new yesterday album" or stuff like that. I think it will be just more amazing at high volume.
Thank you again !!!

I don't believe in psychology....I believe in good move - Robert James (Bobby) Fischer
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Carl martin Hot Drive n' boost

francis0181 wrote:

Thanks for the advice.

I use rivera fandango, Strat hotrod 62 reissue and a Ibanez Ts9 and did exactly all the things you said. I can't crank the volume at home but at low volume it sounds like "Trouble Waiting, new yesterday album" or stuff like that. I think it will be just more amazing at high volume.
Thank you again !!!

Check out www.clearsonic.com for ways to get that amp cooking while isolating and decreasing the overall volume.  If you are handy you can make your own baffles and iso pads for less.  With a combo you can add a ceiling to REALLY cut down on the volume all the while working those power tubes.  I play 2 100w heads and I live in on the 2nd floor of an apartment...no broomsticks from below!  There are ways around the volume thing for those who are determined big_smile

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.