Best "boost" pedal recommendations?

[cnltb]

I hear really good things about the vertex booster...

 

[Feral Feline]

Yup, Jack Orman came up with a Doozie!

 

[TonyP-]

Ok Folks...Just to share some details.
So Darkglass sent me a the Harmonic Booster and I picked up a Wren and Cuff Phat Phuk B.

I was able to get my musical goals with either but in different ways.

I wanted basically clean boost (but with the option of just slight coloration).
Well they both did it.

-The Harmonic Booster is more versatile and let me add a touch of every so slightly lower-upper mids if that makes sense.
The Character knob is hard to describe, almost like it breaks up a touch. Reminds me of older RB but I can put my finger on it in a way. Again something that I use real sparingly.

-The Phat Phuk B pleasantly surprised me. I'm not sure how many people know the extent how much that internal trim pot works but its super versatile. I’m barley using the germanium sound but just enough to hear it on a solo, like it pushing to sustain the clean sound a little harder.

I really like both pedals and I'm putting them on different boards for basically the same function for each, to solo.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sascha Erni]

I never really understood why folks would use a clean boost but I think I discovered one reason why.

Maybe for basses like my Player Jazz that imo, are tonally very nice but the total output is somewhat lacking compared to the other passive basses I have so there’s a noticeable difference in volume as a result and the amp in question is already at its optimal using point.

Would this be a good situation to use a clean boost?

That’s what I use a TC Spark Mini for. It’s always-on and provides the rest of my pedal board with a hotter signal, resulting in a better signal-to-noise ratio, and a bit more “oomph“ overall. Also, it makes switching basses easier. My main bass is boosted by about 6 dB, but the secondary bass needs ~ 10 dB so the rest of the pedals behave more or less the same (and FOH gets about the same signal strength).

 

[Heavy Blue]

That’s what I use a TC Spark Mini for. It’s always-on and provides the rest of my pedal board with a hotter signal, resulting in a better signal-to-noise ratio, and a bit more “oomph“ overall. Also, it makes switching basses easier. My main bass is boosted by about 6 dB, but the secondary bass needs ~ 10 dB so the rest of the pedals behave more or less the same (and FOH gets about the same signal strength).

Thanks for your reply. When I started reading this thread it was originally with the Spark Mini in mind.

 

[SaucyJackBass]

Thanks, I'm actually looking at the TC Spark as the reviews I've read have been very positive.

This. If you want transparent, this is the answer.

 

[amper]

The tc electronic Spark mini is the gold standard for a one-knob clean boost.
The tc electronic Spark booster is the gold standard for a boost/overdrive.

There's really no need to look further unless you have some sort of special requirements, but there are loads of well-regarded pedals on the market that do the exact same things, like the Keeley Katana Booster, the Xotic EP Booster, etc.

For instance, on my guitar board, I use a One Control BJFe Granith Grey Booster, because I happen to like One Control BJFe drive pedals, and Bjorn Juhl likes to design his drive pedals with unusually low input impedances. This includes the Blackberry Bass Overdrive which I am planning to buy.

If you front end any of the BJFe drive pedals with a Spark or Spark mini, both of which have a standard 1 MOhm input impedance, there will be a noticeable increase in treble response when the drive pedal is engaged and you engage the boost. This may or may not work for you. I solved this problem by changing from the Spark mini to the Granith Grey, which has a similar input impedance to the rest of the BJFe line.

If you are putting the boost after the BJFe drive pedals, it doesn't matter.

 

[Sascha Erni]

The tc electronic Spark mini is the gold standard for a one-knob clean boost.
The tc electronic Spark booster is the gold standard for a boost/overdrive.

I agree, sort-of. I also own and use two full-size Spark Boosters, both on another board, and standalone. They’re surprisingly quiet for the dB boost you can get out of them, stack well with other dirt pedals before or after (say, for reigning in a fuzz), and make for a great low-gain overdrive for bass, too. Or use them as a quick-and-dirty preamp for your passive bass guitar. And at least here in Switzerland, they are so inexpensive it’s a no-brainer to have a couple in your box, just in case. You can get four, with a bit of luck five Spark Boosters for the price of one Barbershop, to take a popular OD as an example. Despite it’s price, I never had a Spark fail on me yet, so even if the knobs aren’t as nice as what you get from other manufacturers, the very neutral basic voicing makes it a versatile piece of kit. It just works for bass. TC Electronic should market it more for bass players.

But as said – agreed, sort-of. The higher-end stuff often comes with more overdrive if you want or need it, is even quieter at higher settings, and the EQ section is better suited for bass guitar or double-bass. Also, they often look nicer / cooler, should one care for that sort of thing, or come with other extras.

And well, the same goes for the Spark Mini, if you’re after a clean boost. It simply makes the signal it’s fed louder, that’s it. Hardly any audible colouring, no hiss unless you dime it. Less versatile, but it’s a one-knob and fits pretty much on any pedalboard (it’s too small for a battery). IMO it’s even quieter at what it does than the full-size Spark Booster. And a couple of $ cheaper, too, so, yeah.

 

[BottomFeed]

Didn't read every page of this thread but I use the xotic rc booster..really like it.... Perfect for my needs & very versatile.
I now see it has been mentioned already!
Another vote for a great pedal....

 

[TonyP-]

Ok Update...
I have some gigs and did some A/B-ing and soloing live a bunch with my groove fusion gig.

I just can’t get enough of the Phat Phuk B by Wren & Cuff. I just love that pedal. It’s perfect for what I’m doing and I want to get another one for my other board.
I highly suggest checking this pedal out.
Next to my compressor it’s the most important pedal on my board.

 

[BassPlayer1980]

Has anyone tried the new-ish (Blackstar) Dept.10 Boost?
I'm always curious about these pre-preamp valve boosts in a box deals.

 

[vvvmmm]

I have some older Blackstar pedals, including the blue LT Boost - it's really good on bass.

 

[Stevorebob]

Ok Update...
I have some gigs and did some A/B-ing and soloing live a bunch with my groove fusion gig.

I just can’t get enough of the Phat Phuk B by Wren & Cuff. I just love that pedal. It’s perfect for what I’m doing and I want to get another one for my other board.
I highly suggest checking this pedal out.
Next to my compressor it’s the most important pedal on my board.

I’m in agreement. I have a difficult time switching it off.

 

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I am aware that this is an old thread, but I'll toss in a suggestion, anyway. The FZ-2 circuit has a great boost mode which bypasses the fuzz circuit but leaves everything else active (level, gain, and eq). There are plenty of clones around, from the Behringer sf300, to something like what I'm using, the Humongous fuzz from Pepers' Pedals (which also has a clean blend and the HM-2 tonestack added).

 

[TonyP-]

I am aware that this is an old thread,

Good...
I don’t think people should ever get bent out of shape about replying to an old thread it’s totally cool and keeps all the information in one place if someone was searching for it.

I replied to a 10-year-old thread before and I’m glad I did.

 

[Zoot H Rollo]

getting a Hotwax today.

 

[Feral Feline]

getting a Hotwax today.


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