clean boost?

Xotic RC is around a hundred give or take $40. Or a Keeley Katana Boost, Dod Bi-Fet PreAmp.

 

Another GG convert. Welcome to the boards.

 

Sounds like that will work for you. Know anyone that has a clean boost you can borrow, or can you take you amp to a store that has one to test out how it works?

If you can't do that, then whatever you get, I'd be patient and wait until you find one used at the right price. If it doesn't work for you, you won't lose any money reselling it.

You might look for an early Fulltone Fat Boosts, I've seen them sell for $100. Also, the Sweet Sound Booster doesn't come up for sale often, but they usually go for < $100. Both are good quality, and have worked for me.

 

Used Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive or a Bad Monkey would work.

 

There's nothing wrong with the MXR microamp. Its an excellent booster for the money. If you can find a Zoom PD-01 on ebay (~$50) grab it. It has separate OD and boost circuits so that with the gain all the way down its a pure clean boost with the benefit of bass and treble controls. If you want to spend a little more for true bypass and higher quality builds try the Bad Bob Booster ($130) or the barber launch pad ($140). Another option is the tonefactor Hellbaby($99) which is sort of a dirty booster - somewhere between a clean boost, a treble boost and an OD.

 

some relatively inexpensive ones i've seen are the pedalworx mcboost (just sold one for around $75), fatboost (under $125), zvex SHO's (anywhere from $100-150), and the bad bob booster (around $100, but variable).

the zvex was probably the most neutral, then the mcboost, then the fulltone. the latter two started adding a bit of girth (~mids) as it boosted, which may or may not be desirable. the bad bob is supposed to be the same circuit as the fulltone, but i haven't had a chance to try it.

not to be spammy, but i have a fatboost and SHO for sale over in the emporium, and would be happy to answer any questions or give comparisons. http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92312

 

Know any engineering or physics majors? Maybe with a 6 pack and a handful of parts, you can roll one. The amz mosfet booster is what many of the boutique boosters are based on.

 

Check out Barber stuff, maybe?

On the emporium is a ZVex SHO. Great clean boost... among the best, in fact. Here:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92312

 

+1

And since you don't mind used, watch for a DOD FX-10 Bi-Fet.

It's about the best value you can find for a clean boost pedal. The cost-to-sound ratio is incredible. It holds its own with pedals four and five times the cost.

 

there was a bad bob in the emporium lately, for 80$ !

 

Fulltone has the Fatboost 3, but also the "2B" and this little monster of a boost punched me in the nose with how good it sounds. I also have an RC booster and love it, but it's out of your stated price range. Look at the 2B.

 

if you want a budget option, just consider joyo or mooer.

 

EHX Soul Food
MXR Micro Amp
TC Spark mini

 

The mxr Micro amp is fine. If all you need is more full range gain, it does exactly what you need. IMO the only reason to get something else is if you Need a tone control, WANT color, or something that runs on higher voltage (for more output).

 

You might also find a cheap vertex boost, that someone wants to distance themselves from cause of the stench.

 

If you're on a super tight budget, have a peak at some of these options. The Joyo Roll Boost is great.

If it's not mega tight, have a look at the Earthquaker Devices Arrows, does some subtle EQ stuff, but really works well with neck pickups.