Horizon Precision Drive and JHS Bonsai!?

[PSGuitar]

Hi guys,

Any on have both or one of these?

I'm considering one. I only have Suhr Koko Boost and KSR Eros. The Eros can be dialed in to be sort of tube screamer like and while the Koko Boost does a thick mid boost, it doesn't have the tube screamer gain.

Would I gain much getting the Precision drive or Bonsai?
If I can swing it financially, I may just grab one. I bought a lot of gear recently, so I watching my spending.

Thanks guys!

 

[fek]

I have both the Bonsai and Precision Drive. Also have a Koko that has not left my board in many years.

No experience with the Eros so I can't help much there but the Precision Drive and Bonsai are different animals. The PD has a great gate and is versatile with the Attack knob loosening or tightening up the front end. The Bonsai is the Swiss army knife of TS types.

Sold the PD over the weekend and shipping it out today. I like it but it has a bit of a modern flavor to it that I have not fallen in love with on any of the 4 or 5 amps I have tried it with when using it as a booster. If you are looking for that type of thing, the PD is great at delivering.

The Bonsai gives pretty good examples of several different types of TS versions and works pretty well with most amps. The standard TS9 I have is a little bit different though. Warmer or something. Not better or worse, just different.

 

[PSGuitar]

Thank you Fek.
I love warmer pedals and your TS9 is warmer than the Bonsai? Good to know!
I love the Eros soaybe I stick to it. I think it does similar to the Precision, but it's very Transparent in that when I use it, it feels like I am just using controls built into thr amp. I can also do as much tightening as I like which is cool. Maybe this is my pedal....

Would still be fun to have another like. TS type pedal.

TS pedals tens to have a specific warmth to me into like a dual Rec.... But to be honest, the Eros blows me away.

Thanks for responding. It's really helpful.

I love being able to save money and get a pedal that covers a lot of ground. I may end up grabbing a Revv G2 pedal. It seems to do so much from amp in a box to clean boost to tightening to mid boost, etc.

 

[RockyStar]

I have both pedals you are discussing. The Precision drive is a one trick pony type pedal to me. I like it but I like other pedals better. If you are seeking versatility and so forth, the Bonsai (to me) is a must have pedal to have in your pedal family. So many options that may or may not work with a specific amp but you have so many options...lol. Makes zero sense to not have one. Anyway, Rev makes a great pedal. Klirrton makes kickers stuff. Check out their Lichtbringer. Pro Tone pedals Attack Overdrive is basically the precision drive for less money. The Friedman Buxom Boost is great! Airis Effects makes great stuff. You have so many options available to boos or tighten things up. The Bonsai is a great value and pedal as well.

 

[PSGuitar]

Is the Bonsai not as warm as some say? I hear a stock TS is warmer or works better.

I really want that Revv G2 too. Lol.
Too many pedals to own.

I have the Eros and Koko, with a Bogner Burnley v2 that I love.

I want to add the Revv 2.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Is the Bonsai not as warm as some say? I hear a stock TS is warmer or works better.

I really want that Revv G2 too. Lol.
Too many pedals to own.

I have the Eros and Koko, with a Bogner Burnley v2 that I love.

I want to add the Revv 2.

Thanks for the info.

that's a myth. I have a Bonsai, great pedal. How can you not like the options? I always try other pedals that I am excited about as first but that Bonsai stays on the board as does my KoKo boost. (great buffer there too)

Watch this video, does the Bonsai seem less "warm" to you or almost as exact to a really good pedal it was copying? Remember, they took exact measurements of all components and factored in the drift to getting close with resistors and caps. Sounds as close as you are going to get.

 

[fek]

The "TS9 is warmer" comment that I made was followed by "or something." In front of a JCM800, 50W Stealth, Quick Rod, and DSL100HR, the regular TS9 that I have smooths things out more in the mids than the Bonsai on any of the settings. Again, not better or worse, just different.

For me, the TS9 gives me what I want with the Stealth which was to tone down some of the aggressiveness while still getting a touch of boost. With the JCM the Bonsai wins because it retains a bit more of the high mids which makes it a touch clearer. I am not great at describing it but I can hear it. Could just be the specific TS9 that I have but that is the only TS type pedal that I have with that characteristic. Just different flavors.

If I was in your position, I would pick up the Bonsai. Lot's of variety to play with and the flavors should be plenty different from you already have to justify having it around.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

You can stay under budget and get both. Get the Demonfx Precision Drive. $42 total to your door.

http://www.demon-fx.com/index.php?c=show&id=40

Normally I like to spend my money on top quality but It sounds exactly like my Horizon I had and I sold that for a profit since they are hard to come by and seem to always sell out so demand is there. I also put it up against the Line 6 precision drive model, STL amphub model and Audiority Dr. Drive plugin. All are SUPER close to each other. I would say the Demon has a little bit more noise with the gate all the way off, but who cares since you'll have the gate on anyway. Also I did notice the gate taper does seem to clamp a little sooner on the Demon which I personally didn't like since I don't djent, but its a minor gripe and still very useful.

I see the appeal of the Bonsai but I would go further, save some money and get an 805 overdrive. Much more flexible sounding than the Bonsai and more useful IMO. I only liked and used 3 of the models on the Bonsai. YMMV.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

The "TS9 is warmer" comment that I made was followed by "or something." In front of a JCM800, 50W Stealth, Quick Rod, and DSL100HR, the regular TS9 that I have smooths things out more in the mids than the Bonsai on any of the settings. Again, not better or worse, just different.

For me, the TS9 gives me what I want with the Stealth which was to tone down some of the aggressiveness while still getting a touch of boost. With the JCM the Bonsai wins because it retains a bit more of the high mids which makes it a touch clearer. I am not great at describing it but I can hear it. Could just be the specific TS9 that I have but that is the only TS type pedal that I have with that characteristic. Just different flavors.

If I was in your position, I would pick up the Bonsai. Lot's of variety to play with and the flavors should be plenty different from you already have to justify having it around.

Remember that the Bonsai was modelled after the pedals JhS had and collected. So with time and component drift, that softening might have been unique to your TS-9 and not theirs. That's where the vintage pedal hype really gets traction. So you aren't wrong. I should probably compare the 808 setting to my 808, see what the diff is. For me I like the 0d-1, Ts808, Ts9, odxr , Keeley and jhs settings. So it's a win for me big time.

 

[fek]

For me I like the 0d-1, Ts808, Ts9, odxr , Keeley and jhs settings. So it's a win for me big time.

That is the bonus with the Bonsai. Instead of swapping pedals to get a new flavor, just turn the knob to change the circuit. You can make it match a ton of different amps.

 

[PSGuitar]

that's a myth. I have a Bonsai, great pedal. How can you not like the options? I always try other pedals that I am excited about as first but that Bonsai stays on the board as does my KoKo boost. (great buffer there too)

Watch this video, does the Bonsai seem less "warm" to you or almost as exact to a really good pedal it was copying? Remember, they took exact measurements of all components and factored in the drift to getting close with resistors and caps. Sounds as close as you are going to get.

Thank you.
What's a myth?

I want to compare a Bonsai to a Precision.

 

[PSGuitar]

Remember that the Bonsai was modelled after the pedals JhS had and collected. So with time and component drift, that softening might have been unique to your TS-9 and not theirs. That's where the vintage pedal hype really gets traction. So you aren't wrong. I should probably compare the 808 setting to my 808, see what the diff is. For me I like the 0d-1, Ts808, Ts9, odxr , Keeley and jhs settings. So it's a win for me big time.

The TS808 setting is said to be close to thr real TS9.

 

[PSGuitar]

The "TS9 is warmer" comment that I made was followed by "or something." In front of a JCM800, 50W Stealth, Quick Rod, and DSL100HR, the regular TS9 that I have smooths things out more in the mids than the Bonsai on any of the settings. Again, not better or worse, just different.

For me, the TS9 gives me what I want with the Stealth which was to tone down some of the aggressiveness while still getting a touch of boost. With the JCM the Bonsai wins because it retains a bit more of the high mids which makes it a touch clearer. I am not great at describing it but I can hear it. Could just be the specific TS9 that I have but that is the only TS type pedal that I have with that characteristic. Just different flavors.

If I was in your position, I would pick up the Bonsai. Lot's of variety to play with and the flavors should be plenty different from you already have to justify having it around.

Thanks!

I am loving the Eros boost/EQ. Man it does everything.

I'm also thinking of the Revv G2 as it is said to be like an OD, boost and amp in a box in one. I've heard a friend run it next to his older Tube Screamers and it got so close.

In my opinion from videos, the Bonsai sounds incredibly close to the pedals it copies, if not exact - to my ears.
I can only get one more pedal right now as I just got some other gear. It's gonna be the Bonsai, Precision or Revv G2.

I did have 805 years ago. Great pedal.

 

[PSGuitar]

that's a myth. I have a Bonsai, great pedal. How can you not like the options? I always try other pedals that I am excited about as first but that Bonsai stays on the board as does my KoKo boost. (great buffer there too)

Watch this video, does the Bonsai seem less "warm" to you or almost as exact to a really good pedal it was copying? Remember, they took exact measurements of all components and factored in the drift to getting close with resistors and caps. Sounds as close as you are going to get.

The Bonsai sounds so good. Feel is important too.
I like a boost that doesn't take away from my amp. I've had ones that took away the guts and meat.

I might make the Bonsai my boost.

I see Maxon has a bunch of modded TS-808 pedals by Catalinbread, Fortin, Earth Quaker Devices, etc.

I want to try the Catalinbread Maxon 808.

 

[PSGuitar]

You can stay under budget and get both. Get the Demonfx Precision Drive. $42 total to your door.

http://www.demon-fx.com/index.php?c=show&id=40

Normally I like to spend my money on top quality but It sounds exactly like my Horizon I had and I sold that for a profit since they are hard to come by and seem to always sell out so demand is there. I also put it up against the Line 6 precision drive model, STL amphub model and Audiority Dr. Drive plugin. All are SUPER close to each other. I would say the Demon has a little bit more noise with the gate all the way off, but who cares since you'll have the gate on anyway. Also I did notice the gate taper does seem to clamp a little sooner on the Demon which I personally didn't like since I don't djent, but its a minor gripe and still very useful.

I see the appeal of the Bonsai but I would go further, save some money and get an 805 overdrive. Much more flexible sounding than the Bonsai and more useful IMO. I only liked and used 3 of the models on the Bonsai. YMMV.

Duncan 805? I had one years ago.
Should get another. I forget what it's like. Sounds TS like?

 

[napalmdeath]

Hi guys,

Any on have both or one of these?

I'm considering one. I only have Suhr Koko Boost and KSR Eros. The Eros can be dialed in to be sort of tube screamer like and while the Koko Boost does a thick mid boost, it doesn't have the tube screamer gain.

Would I gain much getting the Precision drive or Bonsai?
If I can swing it financially, I may just grab one. I bought a lot of gear recently, so I watching my spending.

Thanks guys!

What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[PSGuitar]

What are you trying to accomplish?

I like having the option to take my amp to the next level, saturate more, shape the tone wirh the pedal, and I like how the amp feels often, when hit wirh a pedal.
Oddly, the Eros since it is such a tight sounding pedal, works amazingly well with my Mark V on channel 2 for Ceunxh mode. I love that mode but wanted more juice and the Eros does it.
But, I don't like it wirh my BFG modded Dual Rec or PRS Archon.

I'm trying to find something to maintain the meat and fullness of my Dual Rec, while boosting, tightening for certain songs we play. I run the gain Dailey low on this amp.

The classic mix is the Ibanez TS-9 or Maxon TS-808 with the DR so I may stick with the Bonsai.

However, I love Catalinbread pedals and really like what I see and hear from that Catalinbread Mason 808 pedal.

 

[napalmdeath]

I like having the option to take my amp to the next level, saturate more, shape the tone wirh the pedal, and I like how the amp feels often, when hit wirh a pedal.
Oddly, the Eros since it is such a tight sounding pedal, works amazingly well with my Mark V on channel 2 for Ceunxh mode. I love that mode but wanted more juice and the Eros does it.
But, I don't like it wirh my BFG modded Dual Rec or PRS Archon.

I'm trying to find something to maintain the meat and fullness of my Dual Rec, while boosting, tightening for certain songs we play. I run the gain Dailey low on this amp.

The classic mix is the Ibanez TS-9 or Maxon TS-808 with the DR so I may stick with the Bonsai.

However, I love Catalinbread pedals and really like what I see and hear from that Catalinbread Mason 808 pedal.

Way Huge Green Rhino, or a Cusack.

 

[PSGuitar]

I may have tried the Green Rhino years ago. I liked it. You find it better than the TS?
Have you played the Bonsai or one of the new modified Maxon 808s?

I grew up a huge Lynch fan and I know he was a big Cusack Screamer fan. I forget if I ever bought one. What do you like about it?