Junk Yard Dog
Well-known member
I'm not a boost/OD expert, so seeking suggestions for a transparent boost that tightens an amp, has some EQ flexibility onboard (more than a Tone control), and is pretty quiet. I like a lot of the ones I have, but always tinkering. I'm still learning the differences b/t OD and boosts.
I believe most OD's will color the tone a bit, so maybe I'm not a TS or OD type. I like a bit of grit/grind added, but retains the tone of the amp, and want the capability to tighten the amp.
I play Splawn QR/Comp and GZ Hellion. Hellion doesn't need tightening as much and I play hard rock (AIC, Tool) to some metal ala Pantera, 'Tallica, Sepultura. I usually set my gain between 10:00 - 1:00 and let the boost do it's thing. I don't love overly compressed feeling from boosts. I sometimes find they can 'mush' the tone, or maybe that's what the OD's are doing.
Current favorites are the big TC Spark Boost and new-to-me Griffin Chiron, which I love. I never tried a Klon clone until the Chrion and it's become one of my fave pedals ever. Yes, it and the TC Spark in mid-boost (toggle down) do color the tone a bit, but I can eq more treble to make up for it, at least to my ears.
I'm always looking to try new things and looking for something that:
1) has little to no tone coloration; or, you can tailor in/out the 'mid-bump' of some of the TS-style ODs.
2) keeps the tone very clear; no mush
I'll post likes/dislikes below of what I currently have and tried.
Currently Have
I believe most OD's will color the tone a bit, so maybe I'm not a TS or OD type. I like a bit of grit/grind added, but retains the tone of the amp, and want the capability to tighten the amp.
I play Splawn QR/Comp and GZ Hellion. Hellion doesn't need tightening as much and I play hard rock (AIC, Tool) to some metal ala Pantera, 'Tallica, Sepultura. I usually set my gain between 10:00 - 1:00 and let the boost do it's thing. I don't love overly compressed feeling from boosts. I sometimes find they can 'mush' the tone, or maybe that's what the OD's are doing.
Current favorites are the big TC Spark Boost and new-to-me Griffin Chiron, which I love. I never tried a Klon clone until the Chrion and it's become one of my fave pedals ever. Yes, it and the TC Spark in mid-boost (toggle down) do color the tone a bit, but I can eq more treble to make up for it, at least to my ears.
I'm always looking to try new things and looking for something that:
1) has little to no tone coloration; or, you can tailor in/out the 'mid-bump' of some of the TS-style ODs.
2) keeps the tone very clear; no mush
I'll post likes/dislikes below of what I currently have and tried.
Currently Have
- Airis Savage Drive V2: cool pedal & features. Played it again last week, but something wasn't working for me. Maybe too much TS color & was bit noisy.
- Xotic RC Boost: Very good pedal, but didn't love it. Something was missing between the Gain & Volume interaction/options for me.
- MXR CBMOD: Really liked it at first and still ldo, but when I compared it to my Chiron, it didn't push my amps as well and had that TS color to it I could not dial out. I found myself wanting to dial back the 'color' and add highs to make it a bit clearer.
- SD 805: I like this one, especially with the B, M, T eq, but when I compare it to the Chiron, it's not as powerful in the way I like it hitting the front end. But the EQ is great about dialing in and out the 'color' of a TS pedal.
- TC Spark Boost (big one I tend to run this one in mid-boost mode (toggle down), but back off the bass and increase the treble to add some clarity to the mid-bump 'mush/coloration'. Or, I run it in Clean boost (toggle middle), Volume at 1:00, Gain at 11:00, bass at 8:00 and treble maxed.
- Griffin Analog Chiron: my new favorite of all. I don't know the specs, but I think this is a Klon clone (correct me if I'm wrong). It just has more 'power/beef'; it pushes the amps and sounds fuller, more 3D than all my others. I keep tinkering with the 3 knobs. It's just the right amount of clarity under higher gain with the treble knob and tightens up pretty well. I wouldn't mind some more functionality out of it, but it's a great pedal overall.
- Keely SD-1: was good, but moved it on a few years ago. Can't quite recall loving it.
- Friedman Buxom Boost: recall really liking it, but found it a bit noisier than my other boosts, so moved it on. i would try this one again. yes, I can use my Zuul, but prefer not to.
- Timmy V2 or V3
- Wampler Tumnus Deluxe
- SA Zio
- Revv Tilt