Broughton Audio Super Thread

[Kansas]

BR Gurus.... What are the flavors of Broughton overdrives and distortions? How do they compare? Which suits what genres in a general way? Always a clean player, I want to get into distorted bass sounds and I don't know what to listen for in that regard.

 

[CH Design]

I’m using a Walrus Audio Lillian. I think it sounds great, but it’s definitely on the subtle side.

 

[ahbass2500]

Always a clean player, I want to get into distorted bass sounds and I don't know what to listen for in that regard.

Buy a Scorpion. Does great clean tones. Does great slight breakup tones. Can go farther, but does not have to. As a mostly clean player, I find the flexibility of the clean to touch of breakup range is what I really like. If you want more it is there. The fact that you do not have to use more for it to sound good is what sets it apart from other overdrive/distortion pedals for me.

 

[JeffTCS]

I don’t use mod effects a lot but I do like the Utility Knife, easy to get a good sound

I use the UK as well, but I always prefer analog.

 

[never-enough]

Buy a Scorpion. Does great clean tones. Does great slight breakup tones. Can go farther, but does not have to. As a mostly clean player, I find the flexibility of the clean to touch of breakup range is what I really like. If you want more it is there. The fact that you do not have to use more for it to sound good is what sets it apart from other overdrive/distortion pedals for me.

I think the scorpion might have about as big a range as an overdrive pedal can have.
I use it to get pretty dang crunchy myself.

 

[Ewo]

I have to say, I don't think any other pedal has lived up to the overbuilt hype in my head the way the Calamity has. Yes, I am smitten. Yes, it's still the honeymoon. No, I don't care. It was well worth the wait and effort.

That is all. Please carry on with the increasingly obscure sports talk, you animals.

I've tried a number of Broughton ODs/fuzzes, and the Clam is my fave--with the Scorp a solid second place.

 

[MuthaFunk]

BR Gurus.... What are the flavors of Broughton overdrives and distortions? How do they compare? Which suits what genres in a general way? Always a clean player, I want to get into distorted bass sounds and I don't know what to listen for in that regard.

I have the scorpion, calamity, and locust star… also a coupe of Flip Tops which do a great low gain OD. More of an old school tube like dirt. Great for classic rock or R&B.

The Scorpion is a good one given that they’re around new and used. It does everything from clean to fuzz and all with plenty of control. I use mine for searing fuzz, or even as a digital sounding fuzz going into an envelope filter. It’s all three band fender tone stack which can fatten up even clean signals. It’s a very versatile pedal which can be used for many different genres and sounds.

The locust star is similar to the scorpion in function as it does clean to hyper distortion as well but has its own sonic signature. Great for heavy rock but would work fine in milder settings as well. This is a gem in the Broughton line.

If you’re mostly a clean player I’d say the Calamity may be the last one for you to try. That said, it’s one of my favorites that I’ll never let go! Thick and juicy fuzz with loads of compression make it just huge.

 

[smeet]

I have a Studio Boost Mini, and I like the color it gives. I wish it had a level control though. Do the studio boost and studio one give the same color as the mini? Or even better due to the transformer?

 

[dedpool1052]

Buy a Scorpion. Does great clean tones. Does great slight breakup tones. Can go farther, but does not have to. As a mostly clean player, I find the flexibility of the clean to touch of breakup range is what I really like. If you want more it is there. The fact that you do not have to use more for it to sound good is what sets it apart from other overdrive/distortion pedals for me.

The Scorpion is a top low-gainer for me, with the MBD being a long time favorite.
So much range.

 

[dedpool1052]

I have a Studio Boost Mini, and I like the color it gives. I wish it had a level control though. Do the studio boost and studio one give the same color as the mini? Or even better due to the transformer?

My buddy @bullitproof has all three.
Has the mini in the classifieds.
I have the mini and the S1.
S1 being a super flexible preamp with a certain flavor.
Mini being a boost with that flavor.
I recall him favoring the boost over the mini, because he can control the overall level.

 

[Mr_BK]

Sold it pretty quickly. I like Psylocibe (sp?), but it was pretty unruly volume-wise, big spikes of low-end.

I've had the Explorer twice the small one and the Deluxe. It's a great phaser and feature rich, controlling the speed and manual sweep of the LFO was really cool, but I didn't like the tone of it. It's an optical phaser, while the Small Stone, Ross, and Grand Orbiter are OTA. MXR is JFET.

Guitar Phaser Pedal Types: JFET, Optical, OTA, and Others - Function f(x)

Thanx guys!

 

[mouthmw]

I've had the Explorer twice the small one and the Deluxe. It's a great phaser and feature rich, controlling the speed and manual sweep of the LFO was really cool, but I didn't like the tone of it. It's an optical phaser, while the Small Stone, Ross, and Grand Orbiter are OTA. MXR is JFET.

I AB'd Spaceman Explorer Deluxe VS standard Explorer (one that's still available, the smaller box version) and the Deluxe beats it by a lot - it's a lot smoother, clearer with better fidelity. I'd say Explorer Deluxe is one of the best phasers out there, and remains as the GOAT for me. There was discussion about comparing the two phasers on The Gear Page forum and everyone who had both agrees that Deluxe is the way to go.

I can understand not liking the tone of the standard version though, even though it's still a nice phaser with a lot of features.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I AB'd Spaceman Explorer Deluxe VS standard Explorer (one that's still available, the smaller box version) and the Deluxe beats it by a lot - it's a lot smoother, clearer with better fidelity. I'd say Explorer Deluxe is one of the best phasers out there, and remains as the GOAT for me. There was discussion about comparing the two phasers on The Gear Page forum and everyone who had both agrees that Deluxe is the way to go.

I can understand not liking the tone of the standard version though, even though it's still a nice phaser with a lot of features.

I dont understand the overall lack of enthusiasm toward Spaceman gear. I own the Deluxe, and was impressed with it as well. Actually, a phaser is a nifty effect, IMO. I would be interested in seeing Josh’s take on one.

 

[Kindness]

The Scorpion is a top low-gainer for me, with the MBD being a long time favorite.
So much range.

I love the Scorpion and the MBD for low-gain drives. The 1981 Inventions LVL is also in that top tier.

 

[mouthmw]

I dont understand the overall lack of enthusiasm toward Spaceman gear. I own the Deluxe, and was impressed with it as well. Actually, a phaser is a nifty effect, IMO. I would be interested in seeing Josh’s take on one.

I haven't seen the lack of enthusiasm for Spaceman pedals to be honest. I've only seen rave reviews about Explorer Deluxe, many mention it as one of the best phasers out there. Prices are almost scalper level to grab one now. Maybe the lack of hype here is because Spaceman don't really do bass-centric gear.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I haven't seen the lack of enthusiasm for Spaceman pedals to be honest. I've only seen rave reviews about Explorer Deluxe, many mention it as one of the best phasers out there. Prices are almost scalper level to grab one now. Maybe the lack of hype here is because Spaceman don't really do bass-centric gear.

I bought the bulk of my Spaceman board used, and it really takes a beating on the secondary market, which is great if you’re buying used, not so good if you’re selling something you purchased new. I think there is a drop today or tomorrow on a couple of pieces of gear.

 

[WG Plum]

I used to be into Spaceman stuff, but it just never really sounded like me, so I sold it all.

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

I haven’t played my Spaceman board in months, found i prefer less effect, moar toob of late.

 

[MikoFX]

If it weren't for the side jacks I'd still own the Spaceman Redstone, Saturn VI, and Titan II. All great pedals, just not in a form factor that works for me.

 

[MT Hope]

I had an X-1 fuzz that sounds amazing. It has a really nice blend of Si & Ge, and no tone knob; just full fuzz. If it weren't for having a Calamity and Dunwich Wizard, I'd still have it.

I do enjoy the Explorer, Aurora, and Delta when I want some modulation.