Clean Boost Aficionados: Which boost do you recommend?

[aulo]

Alright, I'm in the market for a clean boost and I think I've narrowed it down to either the Zvex Super Hard On, the Catalinbread Super Chilli Picoso, or the Caroline Icarus. Anybody have any experience with these pedals? I've also looked at the Koko, and I know that it's a forum fave, but it's got a little more than I need in a boost and it's a little bit too spendy.

Recommendations?

 

[bonedarrell]

Xotic EP Booster

 

[rlord1974]

Xotic EP Booster

Yep, you can't really go wrong with the EP. Use it as a clean boost for leads, use it as an "always on" tone tool, or use it at the start of a pedal chain as a buffer.

I actually use an Xotic BB preamp with Midboost as a clean boost at times. Gain on zero, Volume up. Works fine.

I've heard good things about the Whirlwind Bomb as well. It has no eq tweakability though.

 

[Heritage Softail]

Check out the Jetter Helium. It is a stand alone pedal, or since it stacks so well with other pedals, Jetter has made two different combo units with it included.

Can clean boost and do the fattening thing, or add a tiny bit of grit.

Xotic RC really clean, or AC almost clean are good boosts. I have an AC so I can add a touch of grit.

Stacking the two is pretty cool. Two gradual steps of boost and grit while just barely modifying the signal voice.

If you choose to, dial them up and get a good bit of grind.

 

[JimmyBlind]

The Suhr Iso Boost is the 'boost' circuit of the Koko on its own I think. Maybe look at that aswell?

 

[nevusofota]

Definitely like the EP Booster. I also like it's small pedalboard friendly size.

Some may scoff at its "unbooteekness" but I dig the Seymour Duncan Pickup booster also. No tone loss, quiet, and the price is right.

 

[aulo]

Definitely like the EP Booster. I also like it's small pedalboard friendly size.

Some may scoff at its "unbooteekness" but I dig the Seymour Duncan Pickup booster also. No tone loss, quiet, and the price is right.

Quiet is definitely what I want, that's why I'm attracted to the Catalinbread and the Caroline. I've heard that the Zvex SHO can be a bit noisy. It looks like the EP gets some pretty damn good reviews though.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

TC Electronic Spark Boost.......my fave of the bunch.

 

[PBGas]

Maxxon VoP-9. Absolutely love it! works great with both of my amps. You can use it as either a clean boost or an overdrive. Runs at 9 volts but with the flip of a switch pumps up to 18V and sounds great.

 

[chunktone]

http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/

 

[mdc1mdc11]

KOT

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Just make sure you know that clean boosts slam the front end of the signal so you will feel a slight slight vol boost (i def. do) and more importantly, a thickening of your tone. This isn't always desired. I don't like the boost side of the koko as much as i like the mid boost. I wish they'd release a koko MID booster with two sides of mid boosts! Shezam!

 

[Mudder]

I'm a huge fan of Catalinbread products and was going to recommend the Super Chile Picoso when I saw the thread. Another option is the Nage Viper if you wanted some tone and gain controls added in.

 

[GearHaven]

http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/

+1000

 

[aulo]

http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/

Is it really as quiet as the write-up suggests?

Has anyone tried that Caroline Icarus? It looks interesting, but how transparent is it?

 

[GearHaven]

http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/

Is it really as quiet as the write-up suggests?

Has anyone tried that Caroline Icarus? It looks interesting, but how transparent is it?

Of course everybody has a different taste for pedals, but the MK.4.23 is perfect if you're looking for a real clean boost in my opinion. I haven't tried the other one you mention.

 

[Inca Roads]

http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/mk423/

For God Sake's, for the 1,000,000th Time...THIS^^^^^
There should be no other, after trying this.
It's just a simple fact, in my book.

 

[GearHaven]

Spotted!!! That's the demo I did. I'm glad you liked it.

 

[Ventura]

The Creation Audio Labs is simply in a totally different league from anything else out there.

If you can, try to score the 48V "Pro" version.

This pedal is magical. Yes, it's a dead silent, perfectly transparent, incredibly well made boost. But it does something phenomenal to the guitar+amp chemistry. It's my secret weapon - and probably the only pedal I'd be left with if forced to sell my other 25 some odd "boutique" stomps.

The Mk.4:23 is deserving of its own thread....it's that good

 

[aulo]

The Creation Audio Labs is simply in a totally different league from anything else out there.

If you can, try to score the 48V "Pro" version.

This pedal is magical. Yes, it's a dead silent, perfectly transparent, incredibly well made boost. But it does something phenomenal to the guitar+amp chemistry. It's my secret weapon - and probably the only pedal I'd be left with if forced to sell my other 25 some odd "boutique" stomps.

The Mk.4:23 is deserving of its own thread....it's that good

Well, I think it's settled. Thanks for all the input guys!