OD/Boost: Looking for something clean, yet NASTY!

[braintheory]

I've been a huge fan of my TC Spark Booster of late, but would like something in that realm, but a little more aggressive/grit. I've I could get the warmth and transparency of the TC, & the pissed off character of the Zakk Wylde OD, (without the compression & harshness), I'd be in heaven.

I'm boosting a Jet City Custom 22, (Martin Kidd modded high gainer, as much gain as 5150 III RED CHANNEL!), and will soon have a Friedman Runt 50.

I've tried:
Maxon OD808 - Too compressed..
Green Rhino - Too compressed, and noisy, (hum).
OCD - Too muddy.
Xotic BB - WAY, WAY too compressed.
MXR Custom Badass OD - Didn't spend enough time with it.
Hardwire CM-2 - Too compressed/harsh..
TC Mojo Mojo - Meh..
Timmy - Meh..

Right now, the MXR GT-OD is my go-to. It won over the Maxon OD808, but the search continues.. I still love the TC Spark Boost for some applications, but it could use some aggression.

Cusack Screamer or the Savage Drive!!!!

he wants less compression and you suggest the savage drive?

The Savage Dry is not compressed when used as a boost and less compressed than the OD808. Depends how you use it and the amp.

Yes exactly the Savage is one of the less compressed od pedals, which is why it works so well with very high gain amps, and is definitely less compressed than any of the TS style pedals I've tried (including the MXR GT-OD which I used to own. It was also my go to for a while). The savage fits pretty much exactly what you're asking for: it's not too compressed, it's aggressive and gritty, and has the most attack, articulation and tightness of any od pedal I've tried (including the Protone Bulb Deadhorse and Fortin Grind), if dialed in that way with the tight knob. It sounds particularly great for shreddy type leads, especially sweeps because of it's attack and clarity, but still sounds very fluid for that type of stuff. Actually, the Airis Protodrive is also about as tight as the savage and less compressed, but it's a much more subtle sounding pedal. If you're used to the GT-OD though, the savage may not have enough saturation for what you want (it can be a bit dry and it also has a sizzle to it which I really like, but some don't) and maybe that saturation is part of what you mean when you say you want a mean, aggressive sound. If so, you may like the KHDK Ghoul Screamer. It's more of a TS type pedal, but by far the best one I've tried. It's very fat and saturated, but also very tight and defined, but to my ears not as open or gritty as the savage.

 

[boost]

I use these with my modded Marshall:

KoKo Boost Reloaded - The one that always stays on the board. Two boosts and a buffer in MXR sized pedal. Adds just enough sizzle and bark without becoming too compressed, unless you really crank it. Has more than enough boost on tap.

EP Booster (V1) - Adds a nice sparkle and low mid bump, but may get muddy with high output humbuckers.

RC Booster - Different from the Timmy in that you can add or subtract bass/treble with this one. You can set this up to sound just like your amp whether on or off and just add what you need from there. Transparent, no mid bump, etc. Some may not like it for that reason. I find it a subtle pedal compared to the other two, but useful.

I don't like overdrives for the reasons you mentioned (muddy and compressed). The above pedals have worked for me keeps me clear of those issues.

 

[DET1973]

Try the MXR/CAE MC-401 OR MC-402