Best Boost Pedal

[DECEMBER]

Friedman Buxom Boost. Mid & bass boosts, treble boost/cut, toggle switch to bypass the EQ. The best part is the Tight knob. Lots of clean gain. 9-18V for more headroom. Can also be used as an underdrive because the gain goes below unity.
I use it a lot for clean tones, I do a lot of clean palm-muting and this plus a Walrus Mira compressor makes it tight and percussive.
I also use it with a Horizon Devices Precision Drive to shape the frequencies that are pushing the high gain tube amp.

 

[shar-vell Dan]

I like them all, but there are one or two that outperformed all of the others.

Its good to have "tools in the toolbox".

 

[gibson5413]

I like Maxon OD-9 but have loved the Boss SD-1 40th Anniversary pedal. It has been on my board for a long time and I love it. I have no GAS for a new overdrive pedal but I would love to try the Friedman Buxom Boost someday.

 

[rsm]

Not trying to hijack the thread but I need a distortion pedal. I’m covered with boosts. Would that tc pre scratch my itch? I had a suhr riot reloaded but it just didn’t do it for me.

Boss DS-1? MT-2? ML-2?

 

[rsm]

I've been using an EQ pedal for boost, currently Source Audio EQ2; I recently pre-ordered the new Ibanez 5-band parametric EQ, and may get another Boss SD-1 (haven't had one in 10+ years)

 

[Snave]

I'm partial to the Xotic RC Booster. It's quite flexible as either a proper clean boost with 2-band EQ, Tubescreamer style boost, or overdrive. The Xotic BB Preamp is runner up but I switched to the RC since it alters the core tone a bit less.

Both of these won out against the Maxon OD808, TC Integrated Preamp, and Pepers Dirty Tree for my purposes (clean boost with some bass rolloff).

 

[stephen sawall]

Not trying to hijack the thread but I need a distortion pedal. I’m covered with boosts. Would that tc pre scratch my itch? I had a suhr riot reloaded but it just didn’t do it for me.

There is just so many of them out there. I don't use a Distortion pedal often. But some amps and sound just need one.

I have always liked the RAT and OCD. I see these as the most common. They just sound good.

As for distortion pedals that have blown me away.... The KHDK No.1 has done it several times. I don't see it mentioned often. It has allowed me to shape the sound of very different amps beyond my expectations. Worth checking out if you get a chance.

 

[JackBootedThug]

I’ll probably just grab something off Wayne. Hard to go wrong.

 

[NorCal_Val]

It depends on which amp I’m using.
Suhr PT-100: Keeley/Lynch “Mr.Scary” OD
Bogner Helios: Majik Box “Rocket Fuel”, or a Metropolous “Supa Boost”
Fender Super Reverb: Trombetta-modded “Kush” OD

 

[Bram576]

Really digging the Lichtlaerm audio Aessahaettr, and Deadweald duality dx.

 

[Akira]

Koko Boost V1

Friedman Buxom boost, with the Koko boost if I wanna boost just mids.

I've found many of the popular ones work well in the right context. I run boosts with my deliverance, 5150, mark V, & badlander anywhere from clean to screaming lead or chug city.

• I've got a Browne Carbon (blues breaker) that's great for adding just a little compression & hair to clean to mid gain sounds.
• J Rockett Archer (klon) is pretty versatile, it works well slamming a driven amp with the volume or cranking the drive into a cleaner sound.
• Griffin Analog Boris (ds1) adds a great nasty grind & tightens up low end on higher gain sounds
• Suhr Koko is a good transparent boost for high gain applications, I like using the low-mid boost sparingly

Koko Boost v1 and good old ts9

Boss SD1
Koko Boost V1

I'd 2nd the OG KOKO Boost.

I have run through so many boosts and OD's that I can't even count them. Still have 8 variations, but at the end of the day, the SD1, original KoKo, and a TS9 will do everything I need just by switching them up depending on the amp.

Original 2 button Suhr Koko boost
Wizard Leopard

Why...becasue of the dozens I've tried, these two sound the best.

Wow. I think I'm sold on getting one of those original two button Suhr Koko Boosts!

 

[anomaly]

I like my maxon od808 the most out of every boost i've tried. The regular old sd-1 ain't bad either.

 

[cobrahead1030]

Wow. I think I'm sold on getting one of those original two button Suhr Koko Boosts!

To be such a simple concept, I was really impressed with how good it sounded into the front end of my 5150, deliverance, & badlander. I run the levels pretty low and use both switches for a little bit of push when I want it.

 

[Skolphy]

To be such a simple concept, I was really impressed with how good it sounded into the front end of my 5150, deliverance, & badlander. I run the levels pretty low and use both switches for a little bit of push when I want it.

And when you flip the mid switch to the slightly scooped mid setting its kills..uuuuber tight.....sounded great in both a Block and Fireball I've had.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I like Buxxom Boost a lot. Doesn’t change my sound, just pushes it to the next level. I don’t use the EQ, only the boost and tight knob. The tight knob is key on this pedal.

 

[DeathbyButterslax]

VFE standout - more subtle, my favourite for modded Marshalls that don’t reallly need much of a push you just want to tweak the sound of the input slightly

Dirty Tree - brutal, clanky. Sounds good for 8 strings

 

[OldGtrGuy]

I probably need to try out a lot more pedals but for me it depends on the amp.

Maxon 808 ahd SD1 are usually my favorites.

 

[ClintN667]

Deadweald Duality DX- besides one of my favorites I consider Daniel a good friend.

Maxon OD808- classic for a reason.

VFE Standout

Love love the friedman buxom boost with a splawn.

I like Klon clones too. Just a little bit more of what you like about your amp.

I just got a TS9. I'm not really using much Analog stuff these days. I've actually never used a TS9. Need to take it out of the box and try

 

[Akira]

To be such a simple concept, I was really impressed with how good it sounded into the front end of my 5150, deliverance, & badlander. I run the levels pretty low and use both switches for a little bit of push when I want it.

And when you flip the mid switch to the slightly scooped mid setting its kills..uuuuber tight.....sounded great in both a Block and Fireball I've had.

Yeah, damn... that Koko Boost V1 will definitely be my next purchase

I probably need to try out a lot more pedals but for me it depends on the amp.

Maxon 808 ahd SD1 are usually my favorites.

Yeah, the Maxon OD808 and Boss SD-1 have literally always been what I've used. I've never tried a Klon for example. Tempted to try a Chiron.

 

[Bloodrock]

After years of OD pedal rabbit holes I've gone back to an SD1 and a Blues Driver. I feel drive pedals don't differentiate in sound as much as delay/reverb or modulation pedals so I've dug out of one rabbit hole and dove in to another..