passive mid boost for a strat

[phsyconoodler]

Is there a way to add a passive mid-boost to a strat?I need about 6db or thereabouts.I don't really like tube screamers or pedals much.
Cheers!

[huutevar]

I think passive controls can only cut, not boost.

[57paf]

physconoodler:
Tom Anderson uses a customized version of this for their optional "VA boosters": http://www.villex.com/internal_booster.html. I've tried his version on his Strat-type classic. More middy & slightly louder when on. Very effective for the bridge single coil.

[jrjones]

Lace Sensor makes one. Sounds friggin AWESOME!

[phsyconoodler]

Can't find any mention of that on the Lace site???

[steeve_a]

Originally Posted by phsyconoodler

Is there a way to add a passive mid-boost to a strat?I need about 6db or thereabouts.I don't really like tube screamers or pedals much.
Cheers!

This diagram shows the dual mid control I have been using for 10+ years. With the push-pull pot down it is a mid-cut control; with the pushpull pot up it is a mid-boost/mid-cut control:

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/_gtr/dual_mid.pdf

Yes, you can't have a passive mid boost but it cuts the non-mid frequencies so it sounds like like a boost, only you do lose a few dB through the circuit. Those dB do make a difference if you are plugging direct into a vintage low gain amp, but otherwise it really shouldn't be a problem.

I have it wired up to a push-pull pot because there is no neutral/off position with the mid-boost/mid-cut circuit. It supposedly has a fairly neutral position at 7, but it still is cutting your signal.

On the other hand the straight mid-cut is essentially out of the circuit when you turn it up to 10. So I will leave the push-pull pot down and set to 10 unless I want to boost and cut the mids.

Boasting the mids on a strat bridge pickup will mellow out the sound. Cutting the mids on a humbucker will clean up the sound. (I've wired up the mid-cut control right on the stock tone pot in a LP and you get some crystal sounds with both pickups on.)

This control is based on the old designs of Craig Anderton and Dan Torres, but I put my own twist on things.


Let us know what you find about the Lacey!

Steve Ahola

P.S. That Villex is way cool! The sound samples for the rotary switch model are very impressive.

You can actually increase the signal level passively by optimizing the impedance. Like plugging a low impedance microphone into an adaptor plugged into a guitar input can be a lot louder than plugging the microphone in directly. So I suspect that they might be using a high quality audio transformer inside that "black box" along with components to shape the signal. (Just my guess- shoot me if I'm wrong! )

It's not just that it is smaller and doesn't need a battery- I love the sound the rotary switch model gets when it is boostings the mids 3dB, 5dB or 7dB.

[oddguitar]

I have a Villex Strat jack mid-boost on my John Mayer Strat and it is fantastic. Not only was it the easiest mod I've ever done in my life (no soldering, done in 2 minutes) but it sounds great. Mr. Villex was nice enough to offer me his updated version when I placed my order. The updated version has a third position that sounds like your guitar is going through a fixed position wah...very cool. Most important, compared to other mid-boosts I've tried, this midboost is musical. It doesn't take over the sound of your guitar with gain and unnatural volume, it just gooses the sound up 6db and adds mids. On the Mayer, I refer to it as my "instant SRV" because it adds meat and power to the Big Dipper pickups without changing the character or clarity of the sound. I A/B'd it with an Eric Clapton Strat with the active mid-boost and the Villex smoked it. Worth every penny as far as I'm concerned.

-oddguitar

[Dashface]

I've put Fender's Clapton mid-boost into just about every strat I've ever had. I really stand by it. Of course, it's definitely not passive... But, like people say, you can't really get a boost with a passive signal. You can optimize the signal and passively EQ it so it sounds similar to a boost - but if you want an actual volume boost, you're gonna need a battery.

...Good thing is, they last a long time.

[evil]

I´ll have to chime in here..
My CS robert cray strat was equipped with the villex boost when i got it and it´s
probably one of my favourite pieces of equippment! Perfect complement for my strat, makes it far more versatile. the "volume"/midrange boost is more apearant on cleaner/crunchier sounds and for lead and heavy rythm it acts more as a smooth compression, thightens and rounds of the edges.. You get a fatter sound, takes about 2 mins to install, looks good and if you want to make your strat even more competitive, I can highly recommend it!
Emil

[jchan]

You may want to consider the Koko Boost from John Suhr at http://www.suhrguitars.com/effects.aspx?series=koko

[EADGBE]

Originally Posted by phsyconoodler

Is there a way to add a passive mid-boost to a strat?I need about 6db or thereabouts.I don't really like tube screamers or pedals much.
Cheers!

Have you thought about an EMG Afterburner? It's not passive. But it may give you what you want.

[earthtonesaudio]

YES YOU CAN get a "volume boost" using a transformer.

With a transformer, you can increase the voltage at the expense of current. So the tradeoff is a higher output impedance. This means that for pedals or amps with high input impedances, you will get a volume boost. But for pedals/amps with lower input impedances, you will get less of a boost, or even a volume cut, from the transformer.

Another consequence of using a transformer in this "step up" mode is that parasitic effects from cable capacitance and whatnot will have more of an effect, so a long cable might cause a noticeable loss of treble, whereas in the stock guitar it was fine.

[9fingers]

So who sells the Villex booster?

[jads57]

How about a Boss Graphic EQ pedal or an Xcotic Boost pedal. No mods necessary!

[Brett Faust]

Look into a THD Quintet. All the sounds are musical. IMO