Clean boost with good high end?

[yugnat]

What are some recommendations for a clean transparent boost that can also add some good high end? I don't want any extra mids and I don't want to take away any low end; I would like some extra chime and some help to brighten things up a little bit - but otherwise transparent.

Thanks.

[landru64]

Originally Posted by yugnat

What are some recommendations for a clean transparent boost that can also add some good high end? I don't want any extra mids and I don't want to take away any low end; I would like some extra chime and some help to brighten things up a little bit - but otherwise transparent.

Thanks.

for that "color" i like the jackson active gain boost. really a sleeper. far more open sounding than most of the boosts i've tried.

[Jam119]

I use my Barber Launch pad at the end of my cahin for primarily maximum gain stagging where I max the volume and set the sensitivity tto where the amp starts to break up and then roll it back a hair. The launch pad is extreamly transparent and powers off 9volts that internaly translated into 24volts - High headroom! When used for gain stagging - my eq controls of my amp become extremely more sensitive, and my highs chime... Like taking a blanket off my speakers - in a natural way and not like a BBE sonic maximizer... It makes my 35watt Cowtipper feel like a 100watt fender twin with increased headroom and belltones all the way! Here's some direction from Dave Barber of Barber Electronis I found on a different forum... It was titled how to cook a tube amp:

Davids Post:
Here is a tone recipe that works well with most tube amps, this will help improve both clean and overdriven tones and is just in time for the season...your family and friends will love it!

You will need a Barber Launch Pad or other extremely high headroom and uncolored clean boost and a tube amp that has a preamp tube right after the input (nearly all tube amps work this way).

In this case we are going to use the LP as a input trim (ala mixing desk) or as a "tube cooker" to get the most out of your guitars output and maximize gain staging at the input. Plug in your effects chain as normal, with the exception of placing the LP last in the chain. Set the LP Vol + on maximum, set your amp to a fairly low volume clean sound (as in "dead clean") , now footswitch your LP to "on" and start playing clean rhythm on your guitar, use your ear to set the sensitivity of your LP as you play, the idea here is to listen for the amp starting to break up as you are playing your standard rhythm style, when you find the "break up point" back off slightly on the sensitivity until you have the desired clean sound.

Congratulations, you have just set your guitars output for maximized gain staging with your amplifier. After you have the first preamp tube better matched to your guitar, you will need to set your amps volume control a bit lower in most cases and simply set any other effects that come before your LP to their unity gain output position. If your amp has a bright cap permanently attached (deluxe reverb), you could experience some extra top end because of your relatively lower volume settings, the best option here is to “clip out” that offensive bright cap, and most amps will have a bright switch which means you can simply turn that cap off.

[lifeinsong]

RC Booster has great EQ and is very transparent.

[Garygtr]

TC Jaurneig Luxury Drive adds a nice sparkle/shimmer

[Dendog]

+1 Barber Launch Pad

Very transparent, clean boost. Very versatile pedal, and not expensive.

[ahellam]

the sound you are describing sounds like you want a Zvex Super Hard On.

[Purple]

yeah... it totally sounds like you're describing the Super Hard-On. I have one and love it.

[PedalFreak]

RC Booster or the Keeley Katana

[free_jazz]

Your request just defined my Fulltone Fat-Boost. It's tiny tone attenuator knob is invaluable. Well worth it. Enjoy!

[yugnat]

You guys are making it extremely difficult! I'd like to hear more about the Zvex Super Hard On... Of course the RC Booster is in the running, its very hard to ignore around here - as is the Barber Launch Pad... but the Zvex Super Hard On sounds pretty cool!!!

[Flyin' Brian]

Another for the Launch Pad and/or the RC Booster. I have both and use the LP at the end of my chain, set up to "cook" the amp as previously explained by Jam 119 (and David Barber)

[TDavis]

Durham Sex Drive

[asdf]

Zvex SHO, or AMZ Mosfet booster (muzique.com or generalguitargadgets.com or diystompboxes.com if you want more info and have a soldering iron. very easy build, very clean and transparent with some sparkle added)

[Moe45673]

I'll +1 the RC Booster. Will do just what you want