Is the super hard on a good treble boost for lead and rhythm

[Ides of March]

I am going to add a boost to my rig. But I wanted a treble boost for both lead and rhythm, to color the sound pretty much. I don't think I need a clean boost for sound. I am looking at the Vexter Super Hard On.

[Keasley]

Super Hard On is advertised as a 'Clean Boost'. It is known to add some 'high end sparkle' so I suppose that's in the 'treble boost' universe but if you want a treble boost, you should probably get a dedicated treble boost pedal. If you want a clean boost with a little sparkle then maybe you're in the market for a SHO. Then there's a Super Duper 2 in 1 (which I bought on Saturday) which has 2 SHOs, which gives alot of different boost options and can be cascaded into Overdrive territory.

[Ides of March]

Originally Posted by Keasley

Super Hard On is advertised as a 'Clean Boost'. It is known to add some 'high end sparkle' so I suppose that's in the 'treble boost' universe but if you want a treble boost, you should probably get a dedicated treble boost pedal. If you want a clean boost with a little sparkle then maybe you're in the market for a SHO. Then there's a Super Duper 2 in 1 (which I bought on Saturday) which has 2 SHOs, which gives alot of different boost options and can be cascaded into Overdrive territory.

Oh ok than I guess it's not the one for me. Any suggestions for a solid treble boost for lead and rhythm.

[Neighbor Pete]

Take a look at the Mad Professor Ruby Red Booster. Clean boost, treble boost & buffer with master volume. With the master you can dial in some pedal overdrive on the clean boost side if you choose which might be helpful for your leads. I picked one up recently and it kicked my EP Booster right off of my board. It sounds fantastic and is very versatile.

[68bandmaster]

not to derail, but what's the difference between a "treble booster" and the SHO? It seems the trademark of the SHO is it's sparkly top-end. (But it is also a "full range" boost). Do treble boosters cut bass/mids? I've always wondered what constitutes a treble booster...

[AXXA]

Others may disagree with me, and thats fine, but a treble booster is my main dirt. The point of it, in my opinion, is not just to boost treble. It is a large volume boost, based around a germanium transistor, and there is some inherent grit to the circuit. It will not ever be entirely clean, and when used to overdrive an amp, it gives an almost fuzzy character. Rather than 'boosting' the treble, it is actually distorting the treble frequencies, which distort the easiest. The treble is accentuated for sure, but it has nothing in common with boosting treble with an EQ, for example. These days, many treble boosts come with 3 settings: treble, mid, and low. In each setting, those frequencies are distorted. I prefer the mid setting.

So yes, a treble booster will 'boost treble', but I find the character of the dirt itself to be the unique characteristic of a rangemaster style circuit. It is a great way to overdrive an amp, but you couldn't add treble to a clean tone with one. It doesn't add 'sparkle', but a certain brand of grit. The SHO would be more of a clean boost, AKA, pure volume (mostly), but does change the EQ by adding the 'sparkle'. While this may 'boost treble' it is not a treble booster. I hope this makes sense, but the best way to understand what each really does would be to play with both, so you can get a feel for what sound you like. I love treble boosters, but if I strictly wanted to boost treble, I would use an EQ instead.

[thedroid]

I've had a rangemaster clone before, and it cut bass and emphasized the high mids but it didn't add "sparkle" and sounded nothing like the SHO I had at the same time. The SHO boosted the entire range and gave a certain presence to the sound that's most noticeable after a board full of other effects. I agree with the above that the treble booster has some fuzzy drive to it, while the SHO is clean but may start to drive your amp.

In my opinion the treble booster is great when you already have a bunch of amp or pedal gain and need to cut through. The SHO is great when you have headroom left in the amp and just want to go louder.

[Blues Lyne]

Originally Posted by 68bandmaster

not to derail, but what's the difference between a "treble booster" and the SHO? It seems the trademark of the SHO is it's sparkly top-end. (But it is also a "full range" boost). Do treble boosters cut bass/mids? I've always wondered what constitutes a treble booster...

The SHO is a clean boost that tends to add sparkle or presence, but I think it's more like what you get with a good buffer. It's got a high input impedance that doesn't load down your pickups. I suppose you could say a treble booster cuts mids and bass, but since you are boosting the signal, the result is that the treble is boosted more than the mids and bass. Traditional treble boosters also tend to add dirt as they boost is turned up, kind of like a low gain fuzz. Since Treble boosters were originally used to boost an already driven amp, especially a darker sounding one, focusing the boost in the treble region help keep a tight low end in the overdriven amp.

[Ides of March]

OK well than what I need is a treble boost. Thank you guys for the help.
With my amp I don't think I need to add anymore dirt pedals.

[Rod]

Originally Posted by AXXA

Others may disagree with me, and thats fine, but a treble booster is my main dirt. The point of it, in my opinion, is not just to boost treble. It is a large volume boost, based around a germanium transistor, and there is some inherent grit to the circuit. It will not ever be entirely clean, and when used to overdrive an amp, it gives an almost fuzzy character. Rather than 'boosting' the treble, it is actually distorting the treble frequencies, which distort the easiest. The treble is accentuated for sure, but it has nothing in common with boosting treble with an EQ, for example. These days, many treble boosts come with 3 settings: treble, mid, and low. In each setting, those frequencies are distorted. I prefer the mid setting.

So yes, a treble booster will 'boost treble', but I find the character of the dirt itself to be the unique characteristic of a rangemaster style circuit. It is a great way to overdrive an amp, but you couldn't add treble to a clean tone with one. It doesn't add 'sparkle', but a certain brand of grit. The SHO would be more of a clean boost, AKA, pure volume (mostly), but does change the EQ by adding the 'sparkle'. While this may 'boost treble' it is not a treble booster. I hope this makes sense, but the best way to understand what each really does would be to play with both, so you can get a feel for what sound you like. I love treble boosters, but if I strictly wanted to boost treble, I would use an EQ instead.

AXXA, thanks for the great explanation of treble boosters

[AXXA]

Thanks! I love a good treble boost/rangemaster! Just caught on to the BSM treble boosts, those look phenomenal to me. Pricy, but I'm curious..