Let's talk about FAT BOOSTS!

[cooljuk]

Happy turkey-eve!

It seems fitting to talk about fat boosts as we all prepare for our own fat boosting tomorrow. ;)

Here's what I'm looking for in a boost -



Something that can be a straight-up clean boost with lots of gain.



Something with an EQ of some sort so I can dial in a nice fat boost setting with a good low-mid hump.



A "gain" knob would be cool to do some rich harmonic overdrive once in a while, but the pedal should have the ability to NOT clip the signal too and just boost/EQ it. I'm mostly looking to keep my amp sound and just hit it hard and fat.

I'm going to be driving the front end of an '86 JCM800. I want to give it a little (or a lot) more beef in the low end, push it hard, and have some sculpting control over the mids.

Ok - what pedal am I looking for? Too much to ask of one pedal?

I think I want a "clean-boost-EQ-overdrive-buffer-box-of-doom." :huh

[sutherland]

Catalinbread Super Chili Picoso. One Knob. Two Modes. Buffer Setting.

[cooljuk]

I think I'd like a bit more control over the sound (EQ and maybe gain?), but the idea is on par.

[sutherland]

Xotic RC Booster. Just enough gristle to provide harmonic overtones, active dual band eq.

[todd richman]

How about the Empress ParaEQ-tons of tone shaping thanks to a three band parametric and boost up to 30 db's.

[rod5150]

Keeley Time Machine Boost - has some EQ shaping on the treble booster side and the 1973 setting is very fat. When you need a modern clean boost switch to the other channel.

[Stormbringer]

Fulltone Fat Boost. I have v1 and it can do all the things you mentioned but I've heard v3 is even better.

[eclipseall]

All three versions of the Fulltone Fatboots are incredible and extremely useful and versatile.

[cooljuk]

These all look tasty!

The Q range selections on the ParaEQ look nice! One could really dial in a complex sound with that one.

You guys rock! Keep the suggestions coming...

[muffinMan74]

based on your bullet points and the amp you're using, it sounds like you need a Tube Screamer variant with the gain rolled down low. I'm accomplishing those goals with an MI Audio Blues Pro. Fantastic, fantastic choice for pushing an already dirty amp.

[cooljuk]

based on your bullet points and the amp you're using, it sounds like you need a Tube Screamer variant with the gain rolled down low. I'm accomplishing those goals with an MI Audio Blues Pro. Fantastic, fantastic choice for pushing an already dirty amp.

All the TS pedals I've had experience with sound very brittle and upper-midrangy without the low end I'm looking for. That said - I've never used an original and there about a million and a half clones there. Maybe I'm not hearing the "right TS" for this? I'll check out the Blues Pro on your recommendation to see if that sits differently with me than other TS clones.

[mdclark58]

RC +1

[Ryan]

based on your bullet points and the amp you're using, it sounds like you need a Tube Screamer variant with the gain rolled down low. I'm accomplishing those goals with an MI Audio Blues Pro. Fantastic, fantastic choice for pushing an already dirty amp.

All the TS pedals I've had experience with sound very brittle and upper-midrangy without the low end I'm looking for. That said - I've never used an original and there about a million and a half clones there. Maybe I'm not hearing the "right TS" for this? I'll check out the Blues Pro on your recommendation to see if that sits differently with me than other TS clones.

The Blues Pro is anything but brittle and upper midrangy. It's a very versatile box. I don't use mine for clean boosting, but it's my favorite TS-variant. I'd vote for the Fulltone FatBoost v3.

[muffinMan74]

The Blues Pro is anything but brittle and upper midrangy. It's a very versatile box. I don't use mine for clean boosting, but it's my favorite TS-variant. I'd vote for the Fulltone FatBoost v3.

I found an old thread (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=422142) on chip swapping for a smoother sound (the stock JRC4558D is my favorite, but it's not what I would consider uber-smooth, more balanced & throaty). Another thing to possibly consider is the amount of background noise a boost makes in pushing an already dirty amp; sometimes dirt pedals set to very low/no gain are quieter than some boosts.

[thedroid]

Throbak Overdrive Boost. Lots of output. Very effective tone controls can go from super middy to wide open scooped. Tons of bass, with a "pre/gain" switch to tighten it up if it gets flabby. Gain can be turned all the way off to go totally clean, and really is pretty clean up to about 12 o'clock, unless you engage the extra germanium transistor. The drive character is fuzzy and uncompressed, sounds great into a cranked amp, not so much a clean one.

[teleblaster]

^ Yep. The ODB is what you describe. two modes of boost with a ton of EQ options

[3 Mile Stone]

Fulltone Fat Boost. I have v1 and it can do all the things you mentioned but I've heard v3 is even better.

Yes it is gooood, and it is called FAT BOOST. I need to try V3!

All three versions of the Fulltone Fatboots are incredible and extremely useful and versatile.

Indeed, but I though v2 was just okay, not as FAT. Good crunch tone with the drive up.

[Tallhorses]

Find a Fulltone Fatboost V2 it will do everything you need. If you crank the gain it has really nice overdrive. For some reason the devout Fatboost guys didn’t like it because it wasn't a pure clean boost but that is precisely why I like it so much. I don’t believe V1 or V2 will get as dirty as V2! The eq (treble and bass) is also very good.

[690MBCOMMANDO]

Xotic RC Booster. Just enough gristle to provide harmonic overtones, active dual band eq.

This is the one I love.

[Serious Poo]

Fulltone Fat Boost. I have v1 and it can do all the things you mentioned but I've heard v3 is even better.

+1

I have a V1 Fat Boost and have to agree. It makes my Route 66 sound bigger, without changing the overall sound. Wonderful pedals IMHO.

[Buckshot]

Greer Sonic Boom - Years ago I gave it a live try-out on the board side by side w/ the Fatboost at a gig at the Hole In The Wall - kicked that poor Fulltone out the back door into the weeds. Serious Booty & just enough grease to make things interesting.
I'm quite surprised to be the 1st to suggest this one.

[jhspedals.com]

Greer Sonic Boom - Years ago I gave it a live try-out on the board side by side w/ the Fatboost at a gig at the Hole In The Wall - kicked that poor Fulltone out the back door into the weeds. Serious Booty & just enough grease to make things interesting.
I'm quite surprised to be the 1st to suggest this one.

He is a friend of mine. Makes some great pedals.

[playthecray]

Try a TIM.

[oxtone]

COOLJUK - for a GREAT clean boost, check out the Dr. Scientist "The Cleanness"!!!!

It has: Volume, Gain, and Low, Mid, and High EQ controls.

I use it to sculpt the tone of my dirt pedals, and with the 3 band EQ,
it makes it very easy to add or remove certain frequencies. The Gain
control is an op-amp booster with about 20db of gain.

This is the BEST clean boost pedal I've ever used! Check it out!

http://www.drscientist.ca/pedals/clean

[peterdjp]

Timmy is a great Clean boost. The EQ works really well. I have also used the Fulltone and RC both nice but theTimmy kicked them off the board.
Here's a killer demo of the Timmy by Greg V.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4MjdyYeRKM

[cooljuk]

I'm finding that the demos of clean boost pedals are often done with blues, clean combo amps, and single coil guitars... understandably. Unfortunately for me, that's pretty much the opposite of my setup. ha! I need to find some of these to demo in person, I think.

Throbak, Tim, and ParaEQ look cool.

[almesy]

Where are most of you finding is the best place in your signal chain for the Fat Boost (i.e, up front, after dirt, in loop, etc)?

[Serious Poo]

I prefer putting pedals like these towards the beginning of a signal chain, before Distortions and Modulation effects.

[lifeinsong]

Hey, you should seriously consider the Koko Boost made by John Suhr. I've owned nearly every clean boost out there and this one is right at the top of the list and the build quality is amazing. Great pedal that can be used as a clean boost, mid boost(3 different midrange frequencies)...there's one for sale in the Emporium(save $).

[amoodymule]

Zinky Master Blaster :D