MXR Micro Amp: a "good enough" boost?

[Vedt]

My holy grail boost pedal is an Xotic RC Booster. But with cash tight right now, a buddy is willing to let his Micro Amp go for $40. I'm mainly looking for something to either juice up my clean tones, or for putting the boost after my overdrive for lead parts. So is the Micro Amp a good solution for now? Or am I wasting my money?

[ckeathley14]

I would say yes. I'M using a Serrano Chili Piccoso for this, but could very easily use the MXR MA.

[Heady Jam Fan]

I am a big fan of the Micro Amp - it is simple, just a pure volume boost and you can control the amount easily with your foot. $40 is definitely worth it IMO, if you don't like it, you should be able to sell it for that amount without a problem. I am not one to cut corners on my rig, and that boost works great for me.

[rob2001]

As good as any considering tone is subjective.

[Telecaster62]

I use a Micro Amp quite a bit. It's very good and doesn't "suck tone". Definitely worth the $40.

[FindThePocket]

^agreed
It's a clean volume boost. Works as advertised.

[rob2001]

I'd venture to say a lot of the boutique clean boosts out there have some micro-amp DNA. I don't know that for sure but it's a pretty simple circuit and it's been around a long time. "Inspired by" comes to mind.

[markmantle]

It served me quite well for a long time... i think in retrospect i liked it better than the boost on my box of rock, which at the time replaced it. Its really hard to say, but i currently a few boosts, including the rc booster and the micro amp, and i can't really say that one is any better than the other... they are all different. In many ways the mxr is one of the truest boosters out there, it really gives just a great clean boost, not much color to the tone... maybe a little high end, but it a natural way.

I have the rc booster, and it actually has less volume on tap if you want a true clean boost.... you need to add gain to get the volume up. Ep colors the tone, but in a nice way.. but can be a little bassy, the byoc triboost is great but adds a little girth and sparkle... the boost on the fetto seems to me the best for boosting muddy fuzzes, adds highs and mids it seems.

i think my fav boost is probable my Tim or fetto... probably Tim... pretty sweet eq options and really transparent, takes everything amazingly.

get the mxr till you can afford the one you want

[killer blues]

Originally Posted by Vedt

My holy grail boost pedal is an Xotic RC Booster. But with cash tight right now, a buddy is willing to let his Micro Amp go for $40. I'm mainly looking for something to either juice up my clean tones, or for putting the boost after my overdrive for lead parts. So is the Micro Amp a good solution for now? Or am I wasting my money?

I've seen more microamps on pedal boards of giiging musicians through the years than any other boost type pedal. They are reliable, sound good and are cheap. As a retired gigging musician, i can say that is the trinity of any pro equipment.

[mjt335]

Originally Posted by killer blues

... reliable, sound good and are cheap.

I would put the BBE Boosta Grande in this category as well.

[christhurman]

Originally Posted by mjt335

I would put the BBE Boosta Grande in this category as well.

Never bought one cause to me a single knob boost pedal shouldn't be that stinkin' big!!! IMO

[guitkrazy]

THe MXR MA was my first booster (Eons ago). then in the 80's I used a DOD BIFET PReamp pedal which was nice it had clean boost with a tone knob, I actually still have it but I hate the DOD footprint. Since then I have tried other boosts. currently I have a Boosta Grande on my board

[billfoma]

I used a Micro Amp for a long time and still have it. However, I don't feel it like it is a pure clean boost. It adds something in the upper mids that tend to drive everything a little bit more. I now use a Catalinbread Super Chili Picoso, and it is a pure clean boost with no added mids. For what you have to spend though, the Micro Amp is going to be perfect for you. I still keep mine around, as it is very useful in certain situations.

[mjt335]

Originally Posted by christhurman

Never bought one cause to me a single knob boost pedal shouldn't be that stinkin' big!!! IMO

I do agree there. The footprint is obnoxiously large for what it is.