Your favorite TS-type boost for metal?
- Thread starter Rex Rocker
- Start date
JimmyBlind
Active member
I switched out my TS9 for a Shiba Drive recently. Quite a considerable difference in voicing & performance. The Shiba has a much more 3D quality about it which I like. It's also much higher output. It doesn't seem to lose some of the middle frequencies that I found with previous TS pedals & it seems to enhance the sound almost.
I've not yet tried the Koko boost but I suspect it's much of the same but without the drive.
I've never used the drive on any of my TS pedals in the past because I felt it got too busy and fizzy. The drive on the Shiba seems to do more than just clip and is very usable.
I've not yet tried the Koko boost but I suspect it's much of the same but without the drive.
I've never used the drive on any of my TS pedals in the past because I felt it got too busy and fizzy. The drive on the Shiba seems to do more than just clip and is very usable.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
Shask":1wc7u39m said:
I'm Right there with you. Here's a list of what i have.
1. Boss SD-1
2. T.C. Electronics- Distortion/Booster
3. T.C. Electronics - Spark Boost
4. Way Huge - Green Rhino
5. MXR-GTOD
6. Amp Man Prototype Boost/OD
7. MXR MC402 Boost/OD
8. Maxon OD-9
9. Randall - MOR
I'm sure there are more....but these are the ones i could remember off the top of me head.
Shask
Well-known member
Detroit1973":3s6szhd1 said:
Yeah, I am the same way. I have several commercial units, and several clones I have built. OD808, Green Rhino, SD-1, MXR, M77, MXR Classic OD, Joyo Vintage OD, Caline Orange Burst, Caline Crazi Cacti, Caline Pure Sky, Boss BD-2, and several clones I have built, such as Eternity Lovepedal, Klon, BYOC Green Pony, Marshall Bluesbreaker, Rat, Marshall Guv'nor, etc.... I am sure there are more also, lol. I just like to switch them up from time to time.
With ODs, I find it more important to mix-n-match with the amp. No OD is perfect in every setup. You have to pick the right OD that matches with that particular amp and pickups, for the particular mood you are in that day.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
Shask":3vlo4qrd said:
So True! I'm really on the hunt now for the perfect clean boost & the perfect OD for my Soldano. If i ever get to a point where i find what i consider the perfect combos, then i'll sell all the others.
Wizard of Ozz
Well-known member
Rex Rocker":32ag0cl2 said:
Compared to the Maxon OD808 it is a bit warmer/darker, less mid-boosted. Very well built and true bypass.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
Wizard of Ozz":1jvt6lbk said:
Ok now i have to find clips of this.
braintheory
Well-known member
I’ve owned over 90 boost type pedals (including almost all the ones mentioned so far) and these have been my 8 keepers:
Timmy (1st version)
Klon Centaur (silver original version)
Ethos TLE
Lazy J Cruiser
Spaceman Mercury IV
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman Golden Pearl
VFE Standout
I’d recommend the Timmy (1st version), Buxom boost, golden Pearl and Ethos TLE (it’s pricy though)
The VFE Standout is like a better Fortin 33 (it sent that and the grind and horizon precision drive packing), but it has a very specific sound that won’t work for everyone
The Lazy J Cruiser and Spaceman Mercury IV are incredible and super organic and tonally complex, but not suited for metal
Timmy (1st version)
Klon Centaur (silver original version)
Ethos TLE
Lazy J Cruiser
Spaceman Mercury IV
Friedman Buxom Boost
Friedman Golden Pearl
VFE Standout
I’d recommend the Timmy (1st version), Buxom boost, golden Pearl and Ethos TLE (it’s pricy though)
The VFE Standout is like a better Fortin 33 (it sent that and the grind and horizon precision drive packing), but it has a very specific sound that won’t work for everyone
The Lazy J Cruiser and Spaceman Mercury IV are incredible and super organic and tonally complex, but not suited for metal
Detroit1973
Well-known member
Shask":2nhufmp8 said:
I always wanted to try one of those. I used to have a lot of the T.C. Stuff a few years ago.
mctallica1
Well-known member
I’ve owned a metric shit ton of boosts that I’ve used for just this purpose....from cheap to boutique and I always end up back with a Maxon OD808.
It just feels and sounds RIGHT to me.
The great thing is that there A LOT of excellent options out there, so if you try enough, you will definitely find what works for YOU
T
It just feels and sounds RIGHT to me.
The great thing is that there A LOT of excellent options out there, so if you try enough, you will definitely find what works for YOU
T
Wizard of Ozz
Well-known member
braintheory":1oagwiu3 said:
Tried the Standout, but liked the Dragon a bit better. I’d take either over any of the Fortin boxes. Better sound and better functionality.
braintheory
Well-known member
Yeah the Dragon I felt was more versatile and would be the one to get over the Standout if I could only have one, but it couldn’t match the extreme tightness or attack of the Standout, which is all I really use it for anyway (it’s a very specialized pedal for me that I don’t use often)Wizard of Ozz":3fejf0ca said:braintheory":3fejf0ca said:
Tried the Standout, but liked the Dragon a bit better. I’d take either over any of the Fortin boxes. Better sound and better functionality.
I really liked the Dragon too, but I felt some of my other pedals could do what I liked about it and a bit better in some cases
The Thorpy Gunshot is also a fantastic pedal like you said. One of the most organic sounding ones out there. If I didn’t have my klon, it probably would’ve still been a keeper
I'm down to 3 pedals, a modded '81 SD-1, Maxon OD808, and MXR Custom Badass Modified overdrive (M77, the gold one). Different over drives work with different amps so always good to have a few around.
The MXR is my secret weapon. It's in the SD-1 territory with asymmetrical clipping but extra options for bass, treble, and switchable mid-hump. It kills with Marshall circuits, just a better SD-1 all-around. Sleeper pedal for sure. (If it wasn’t for that horrible MXR-side position power jack it would be perfect)
Maxon is the best TS-style (symmetrical clipping) for metal at least, it doesn't cut as much bass as a typical TS and just adds that perfect extra juiciness. Works with most amps equally well.
I've tried the Savage Drive and Grind but they are more like EQ boosts/cuts that don't gel well with Marshall style circuits in my experience but probably better with Mesa/5150 etc.
The MXR is my secret weapon. It's in the SD-1 territory with asymmetrical clipping but extra options for bass, treble, and switchable mid-hump. It kills with Marshall circuits, just a better SD-1 all-around. Sleeper pedal for sure. (If it wasn’t for that horrible MXR-side position power jack it would be perfect)
Maxon is the best TS-style (symmetrical clipping) for metal at least, it doesn't cut as much bass as a typical TS and just adds that perfect extra juiciness. Works with most amps equally well.
I've tried the Savage Drive and Grind but they are more like EQ boosts/cuts that don't gel well with Marshall style circuits in my experience but probably better with Mesa/5150 etc.
stephen sawall
Well-known member
Really into the - Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Version 2 - lately.
It's pretty versatile with the 7 voices. 14 voices with Drive 2. Really practical for matching up with various guitars and amps.
The boost / Drive 2 on this version is more controllable and useful. Perfect for the liquid lead sound and feel.
Works well with all my amps and guitars. Works equally well with my NMV amps and Highgain amps. Useful as a overdrive or boost.
The sound and feel is really nice. Might be the best feel of any overdrive I have used.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
It's pretty versatile with the 7 voices. 14 voices with Drive 2. Really practical for matching up with various guitars and amps.
The boost / Drive 2 on this version is more controllable and useful. Perfect for the liquid lead sound and feel.
Works well with all my amps and guitars. Works equally well with my NMV amps and Highgain amps. Useful as a overdrive or boost.
The sound and feel is really nice. Might be the best feel of any overdrive I have used.
Highly recommend checking this one out.
stratjacket
Well-known member
My favorites are:
Savage Drive
Strymon Riverside
Lovepedal Eternity (old plain white box)
I switch between those 3, but I stack them with a Walrus Audio Mesner. Absolutely awesome low gain pedal that stacks really well. Can’t say enough good things about the Mesner.
I also currently have the Grind and the Standout. I could never get the Standout to work for me.
Savage Drive
Strymon Riverside
Lovepedal Eternity (old plain white box)
I switch between those 3, but I stack them with a Walrus Audio Mesner. Absolutely awesome low gain pedal that stacks really well. Can’t say enough good things about the Mesner.
I also currently have the Grind and the Standout. I could never get the Standout to work for me.
stratjacket
Well-known member
Interestingly enough, although I've gone through so many pedals, I've never actually owned a Tube Screamer. ha.