Clean Boost - a question of faith...

**grygrx** · #1 12-31-2007, 10:49 AM

I need a clean boost....

I had pretty much decided on the Catalinbread Serrano Picoso, figured the form factor was great and not too expensive ($119)

Then I was browsing, his website and saw the VariOboost... which seemed interesting and perhaps a bit more versatile. A slightly higher cost of course ($169)

Then I got to randomly searching and reading... and wandered into the EHX LPB-1($39)

Now I don't know crap about clean boosts, but I can't for the life of me figure out why I shouldn't just get the EHX. Even with this revelation, I'm still frozen with inaction.... push me, prod me, help me!

I like nice things, and I'd rather not dick around with something as unexciting as a clean boost, but I'd rather spend $40 if there isn't a good reason not to.

Toasted · #2 12-31-2007, 10:50 AM

I know a bunch of guys who swear by the varioboost.

agreatheight · #3 12-31-2007, 10:59 AM

I'd try the EHX - you can always return it if it doesn't work for you.

**grygrx** · #4 12-31-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agreatheight

I'd try the EHX - you can always return it if it doesn't work for you.

Great in theory, but I don't have the ability to do that. Really that sounds odd, but it's a quirk I have. I can't buy things 'to try them out' and then return them. I don't know why... it's just a problem.

diechris · #5 12-31-2007, 11:01 AM

what are you going to use the boost for? from what i know... some "clean" boost pedals get dirty at higher levels and it can be a good thing if you want to drive your tube amp but if you are looking just for a clean boosted signal then you might have a harder time.

im currently in the market for a boost to drive my VT-1 harder when i use passive basses.. however... i might just buy another hematoma and use the boost on there.

**grygrx** · #6 12-31-2007, 11:04 AM

I've got a really really quiet passive bass that has a hard time triggering envelope filters, and doesn't overpower the 3xfx Fatman's oscillator.

bongomania · #7 12-31-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diechris

what are you going to use the boost for? from what i know... some "clean" boost pedals get dirty at higher levels and it can be a good thing if you want to drive your tube amp but if you are looking just for a clean boosted signal then you might have a harder time.

True, some are "really clean" and some are "dirty clean", and some are adjustable. It's a super simple circuit, so there's no reason to buy the more expensive ones aside from the fact that they look pretty. That may be enough reason. Also I don't trust EHX's quality control at all, but that's me.

**grygrx** · #8 12-31-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

True, some are "really clean" and some are "dirty clean", and some are adjustable. It's a super simple circuit, so there's no reason to buy the more expensive ones aside from the fact that they look pretty. That may be enough reason. Also I don't trust EHX's quality control at all, but that's me.

That's an awesome, "don't buy the pricey one", "don't buy the cheap one" double statement!

scotch · #9 12-31-2007, 11:16 AM

For a clean boost with zero coloration I suggest the Xotic Bass RC Booster. Just keep the eq points flat. It's uber-quality with true bypass and no noise (with treble set flat, of course). I bought it to boost the output of my vintage p-bass with original pickups. It's just what the doctor ordered for more volume without altering the basses tone.

I haven't tried the EH LPB-1, but that may do the trick a lot cheaper. I'm always a little skeptical of $30 pedals, but you never know!!!

A lot of "boost" pedals can introduce some mid-frequency accentuation. If that's what you're looking for (usually for getting more overdrive out of tube amps or making the instrument sound "richer") then the Fulltone Fat-Boost is great!

OhThePeacock · #10 12-31-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

True, some are "really clean" and some are "dirty clean", and some are adjustable. It's a super simple circuit, so there's no reason to buy the more expensive ones aside from the fact that they look pretty. That may be enough reason. Also I don't trust EHX's quality control at all, but that's me.

Everything I've bought from EHX so far has had a great build quality.

bongomania · #11 12-31-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

That's an awesome, "don't buy the pricey one", "don't buy the cheap one" double statement!

True, sorry about that. I guess I was just trying to present both sides in case one mattered more to you than the other. If you like and trust EHX, as many people do, the LPB probably works and sounds as good as the expensive ones.

ehque · #12 12-31-2007, 11:30 AM

Well i suppose in simple things like boosters we look for headroom, maximum clean gain and flat response...

The Barge Concept DB-3 with its intro price now at 115 sounds like a great way to get 2 boosts into your circuit - might want to check that one out.

TrevorOfDoom · #13 12-31-2007, 11:36 AM

to note... the LPB isn't really a clean boost. it was hailed as the first distortion/overdrive pedal. it's got a bit of a scooped sound, and darkens up the signal.

fun tidbit... the EHX Big Muff PI is really just a Tonebender circuit with a LPB at the end.

now i love the sound of the LPB, but a clean boost it ain't.

fishtx · #14 12-31-2007, 12:32 PM

I'm interested in some feedback on the Catalinbread Serrano Picoso as well. Does anyone have any experience with it?

Is it (as Bongo puts it) "really clean" or "dirty clean"?

OhThePeacock · #15 12-31-2007, 12:36 PM

I assume its fully clean since Catalinbread makes the chilli picoso which has a switch making it clean clean or dirty clean.

**grygrx** · #16 01-01-2008, 05:46 PM

Ordered a varioboost, figured it would be the most useful if I have needs outside of just flat boosting

Geddyfleaharris · #17 01-01-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Also I don't trust EHX's quality control at all, but that's me.

Just to maybe put a bit of perspective on Bongo's quote, I have 2 EHX pedals. The Micro Pog which is simply one of the funnest, quietest pedals I have ever bought - $190.00 - I also own the Little Big Muff - $67.00 - whose sound I love but was so ridiculously noisy I had to buy a Boss NS-2 Noise Gate -$98.00 - just to make it useable. A little bit of the old ya get what ya pay for rule I guess.

I have a bit of the same quirk as you......I don't really buy, try and return pedals. I just feel uncomfortable for some reason. Most music stores seem to have no problem with people doing it but it is just not for me.

diechris · #18 01-01-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

the LPB isn't really a clean boost. it was hailed as the first distortion/overdrive pedal. it's got a bit of a scooped sound, and darkens up the signal.

thats sad to hear...well for me at least i was hoping i'd be brighter is anything.

JanusZarate · #19 01-01-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geddyfleaharris

Just to maybe put a bit of perspective on Bongo's quote, I have 2 EHX pedals. The Micro Pog which is simply one of the funnest, quietest pedals I have ever bought - $190.00 - I also own the Little Big Muff - $67.00 - whose sound I love but was so ridiculously noisy I had to buy a Boss NS-2 Noise Gate -$98.00 - just to make it useable. A little bit of the old ya get what ya pay for rule I guess.

But see, that's not really a "quality control" issue... those new pedals were designed to be exactly as they are.

IME, with what I've tried out of the new XO lines, the consistency of sound and build quality between two identical pedals is very good now. The same couldn't be said for most pedals preceding the XO series - which makes the EHX vintage market somewhat of a gamble. Fortunately, the vintage stuff is usually pretty easy to fix.

Now, design is a different story... It was always the nature of the Big Muff to be wild and noisy when cranked. I wouldn't consider that to be a quality control issue at all - it's what it has always done when really cranked. However, they should have never let the Nano Clone out on the market... it's the only XO series pedal I've used that simply shouldn't exist.

So, barring the Nano Clone, their quality control is much better overall with their new pedals.

OhThePeacock · #20 01-01-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

But see, that's not really a "quality control" issue... those new pedals were designed to be exactly as they are.

IME, with what I've tried out of the new XO lines, the consistency of sound and build quality between two identical pedals is very good now. The same couldn't be said for most pedals preceding the XO series - which makes the EHX vintage market somewhat of a gamble. Fortunately, the vintage stuff is usually pretty easy to fix.

Now, design is a different story... It was always the nature of the Big Muff to be wild and noisy when cranked. I wouldn't consider that to be a quality control issue at all - it's what it has always done when really cranked. However, they should have never let the Nano Clone out on the market... it's the only XO series pedal I've used that simply shouldn't exist.

So, barring the Nano Clone, their quality control is much better overall with their new pedals.

Sorry for the hi-jack but boo, what would you say about the green sovtek muffs? Gamble or good investment cause I've been lookin at those lately.