Boosting my amp

[leighianson]

Not sure whether to put this here or in the effects pedals forum.

Ok, so I think I understand the basics of guitar amplification through a vacuum tube circuit but I am a but unsure when it comes to the way an amp reacts to boost pedals.

I am currently on a wait list (short I hope) for a DAM booster and was wondering a few things. So if I turn my boost pedal on is it the same as simply turning up the volume on my amp? I have non mv amps. Or will the amp react differently as I am hitting the first preamp tube harder? Basically im wondering if I'll have a more overdriven sound if I have my amp on 2 and my boost at 12 o'clock than just setting my amp to say half way?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[sliberty]

Most amps have their volume control after at least one preamp stage. Sometimes it is after an even later preamp stage. So turning up the amp volume has no affect on the preamp tubes that preceded it. It will only drive later stages harder (PI for example). Using a boost pedal will affect all stages of the amp since it sits in front of them all. So, you can expect more preamp distortion with a boost pedal. The increase in level will ripple through the whole amp of course, and result in later stages being driven harder as well, but in a slightly different way since the signal is already distorted.

I use an AMZ MOSFET Booster with most of my amps, and love the results. Good luck with you new booster.

 

[rob2001]

I think it depends on how much headroom is left in the preamp section. If you have your gain maxed you will get mostly more compression of the preamp tubes and of course, more gain. But you won't get much of an overall volume boost. If you leave some room in the preamp section you can get more gain/distortion and more volume increase compared to a maxed out pre section.

 

[riffmeister]

Most amps have their volume control after at least one preamp stage. Sometimes it is after an even later preamp stage. So turning up the amp volume has no affect on the preamp tubes that preceded it. It will only drive later stages harder (PI for example). Using a boost pedal will affect all stages of the amp since it sits in front of them all.

Exactly.

And the booster pedal has its own EQ curve so that adds additional 'flavor' to the sound coming out the other end.

 

[Tone_Terrific]

It's like turning up your guitar.
Pushing he fist stage(s) into od may not be as cool sounding as you think. YMMV.