Doug Aldrich Rocket Fuel pedal

[Rogue]

I recently sold off about 8-10 OD pedals after settling on the TC Electronic Spark Booster. With the 3 way toggle (fat/flat/mid boost) and full EQ, it can cover so much tonal ground. It is not only versatile, but it is GOOD. A few of the pedals it replaced were the Xotic BB, Barber DD, MXR Classic OD, Rocket Fuel, and Box of Rock.

I was looking at this pedal. It looked interesting, but I wasn't sure if it was more a boost pedal or if it was more a OD pedal. Can you give us the low down?

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

I recently sold off about 8-10 OD pedals after settling on the TC Electronic Spark Booster. With the 3 way toggle (fat/flat/mid boost) and full EQ, it can cover so much tonal ground. It is not only versatile, but it is GOOD. A few of the pedals it replaced were the Xotic BB, Barber DD, MXR Classic OD, Rocket Fuel, and Box of Rock.

I was looking at this pedal. It looked interesting, but I wasn't sure if it was more a boost pedal or if it was more a OD pedal. Can you give us the low down?

It has more than enough gain boost to function as an OD pedal. I certainly wouldn't use it to get heavy sounds in front of a clean amp............however, it works just fine pushing a dirty amp over the top. The "fat" setting is pretty much worthless unless you are using it in certain song sections to fatten up single coil tones. With humbuckers, its just that..........Fat and muddy.

The flat or "clean" setting is great for working as a transparent clean boost..........similar to an Xotic RC boost. But IMO, it is more natural sounding than the RC. Sounds fantastic when engaged on a slightly broken up clean channel and makes the amp so much more lively/responsive.

The "mid" boost setting is where mine stays most of the time. It does what it says and boosts the mids.........but not into that nasal Tubescreamer range. It adds more of a high mid type of "bite". Really makes my amps come alive when having to play at less than desirable volumes. This setting also cuts the lows/tightens just like most OD pedals out there. If I had one complaint it is that this setting also boosts the highs a bit too much. However, I can pull the treble control back a hair and its perfect. When used as a clean boost (level maxed/gain at zero), it sounds very close to an SD-1/ZW-44 assymetrical vibe. If I push up the gain a hair, it really fattens up. I usually run it this way in front of my EVH 50. With a stock Marshall, it works better with both the gain and level up around noon.

It is completely quiet and true bypass as well.

 

[Rogue]

It has more than enough gain boost to function as an OD pedal. I certainly wouldn't use it to get heavy sounds in front of a clean amp............however, it works just fine pushing a dirty amp over the top. The "fat" setting is pretty much worthless unless you are using it in certain song sections to fatten up single coil tones. With humbuckers, its just that..........Fat and muddy.

The flat or "clean" setting is great for working as a transparent clean boost..........similar to an Xotic RC boost. But IMO, it is more natural sounding than the RC. Sounds fantastic when engaged on a slightly broken up clean channel and makes the amp so much more lively/responsive.

The "mid" boost setting is where mine stays most of the time. It does what it says and boosts the mids.........but not into that nasal Tubescreamer range. It adds more of a high mid type of "bite". Really makes my amps come alive when having to play at less than desirable volumes. This setting also cuts the lows/tightens just like most OD pedals out there. If I had one complaint it is that this setting also boosts the highs a bit too much. However, I can pull the treble control back a hair and its perfect. When used as a clean boost (level maxed/gain at zero), it sounds very close to an SD-1/ZW-44 assymetrical vibe. If I push up the gain a hair, it really fattens up. I usually run it this way in front of my EVH 50. With a stock Marshall, it works better with both the gain and level up around noon.

It is completely quiet and true bypass as well.

Hmm. That's an enticing description. Does it have as much gain available as a Bad Monkey, or more in line with the RC Booster? I use a Koko Boost for a bit "more" kind of boost and kick on the Bad Monkey for leads. But, the Bad Monkey kind of has that honky sound that I don't like...but it does fatten up the top end and has enough gain for some smooth leads.

I had an RC Booster and liked it, but I sold it. A more natural sounding RC would be cool.

Sam Ash has one down here. I may have to try it out.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

It has more than enough gain boost to function as an OD pedal. I certainly wouldn't use it to get heavy sounds in front of a clean amp............however, it works just fine pushing a dirty amp over the top. The "fat" setting is pretty much worthless unless you are using it in certain song sections to fatten up single coil tones. With humbuckers, its just that..........Fat and muddy.

The flat or "clean" setting is great for working as a transparent clean boost..........similar to an Xotic RC boost. But IMO, it is more natural sounding than the RC. Sounds fantastic when engaged on a slightly broken up clean channel and makes the amp so much more lively/responsive.

The "mid" boost setting is where mine stays most of the time. It does what it says and boosts the mids.........but not into that nasal Tubescreamer range. It adds more of a high mid type of "bite". Really makes my amps come alive when having to play at less than desirable volumes. This setting also cuts the lows/tightens just like most OD pedals out there. If I had one complaint it is that this setting also boosts the highs a bit too much. However, I can pull the treble control back a hair and its perfect. When used as a clean boost (level maxed/gain at zero), it sounds very close to an SD-1/ZW-44 assymetrical vibe. If I push up the gain a hair, it really fattens up. I usually run it this way in front of my EVH 50. With a stock Marshall, it works better with both the gain and level up around noon.

It is completely quiet and true bypass as well.

Hmm. That's an enticing description. Does it have as much gain available as a Bad Monkey, or more in line with the RC Booster? I use a Koko Boost for a bit "more" kind of boost and kick on the Bad Monkey for leads. But, the Bad Monkey kind of has that honky sound that I don't like...but it does fatten up the top end and has enough gain for some smooth leads.

I had an RC Booster and liked it, but I sold it. A more natural sounding RC would be cool.

Sam Ash has one down here. I may have to try it out.

Much more gain than the RC Boost. It's not as fat as the Bad Monkey.....but it doesn't honk or get soft/squishy like it either.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I didn't like the RC booster at all... really made my tone sound like tin and somewhat noisy up where I liked it. Also did not find it "real clean" either!! So the gain can be used to thicken it out some as well if I understand correctly. I'm liking the sound of this.. I really wish someone would demo these pedals on a dirty amp. I have seen a few demos and they are usually on these damn fender clean amps. PLEASE< i'd never use that tone alone for grind and i probably would not spend much time on a clean channel! Who wants to dilly dally on the clean channel for a smidget of crunch? ZZZZZZZZ I want to drive my JCM800 into Sykes,Aldrich, Lynch tones.

 

[Rogue]

Who wants to dilly dally on the clean channel for a smidget of crunch? ZZZZZZZZ I want to drive my JCM800 into Sykes,Aldrich, Lynch tones.

That's what I'm talking about.