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Clean (ish) Boost for a GK 700RB??

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by Tobias Wilcox, Dec 23, 2014.

  1. Dec 23, 2014 #1
    Tobias Wilcox

    Tobias Wilcox

    Aug 18, 2006
    London, ENGLAND
    Anybody use a clean boost to push an 700RB a bit further when its already quite dirty / on the rails??

    I've been struggling a bit with an OCD; it either gets clanky or goes a bit mushy with the gain and tone backed off some. I think its a bit OTT when the head is dialled in this way and has a ridiculous amount of volume on tap!
     
  2. Dec 23, 2014 #2
    mmbongo

    mmbongo I have too many basses. Supporting Member

    Aug 5, 2009
    Upstate, South Carolina
    Hmm...can't see a clean boost helping much since the amp already has a gain control on the input. I'm also not a fan of the OCD.

    I will recommend a TC Electronics Spark Booster. It is a clean boost so you can explore that road if you want, or you can dial in a bit of soft OD if you want...or you can nail it with a ton of gain. It's also got 3 different voice modes to choose from (well, one of them is raw and does not really have a voice other than what you feed it), and it's got controls for bass and treble.

    It's a shame this pedal is overlooked for the most part, it's a great low gain overdrive or clean boost or EQ or mid boost....you name it.

    Other fantastic OD pedals you can look at, but cannot do 'clean boost':
    SolidGold FX Beta
    FairfieldBarbershop
    Way Huge Pork Loin
    Darkglass VMT
     
  3. Dec 23, 2014 #3
    SunnBass

    SunnBass All these blankets saved my life.

    Aug 31, 2010
    Columbia, Mo
    Not the best idea really, you'll just end up clipping the pre-amp input.
    Which can actually wreck the pre-amp if done too frequently/aggressively.
     
  4. Dec 23, 2014 #4
    Tobias Wilcox

    Tobias Wilcox

    Aug 18, 2006
    London, ENGLAND
    Ok, but if the amp OD is being generated by the Boost and Woofer controls with the Input Vol still fairly low, is this really still the case? Is it not just pushing the Input a little more? I'm not looking for wild gain, just a bit more foot-switchable growl.....
     
  5. Dec 23, 2014 #5
    mmbongo

    mmbongo I have too many basses. Supporting Member

    Aug 5, 2009
    Upstate, South Carolina
    I believe that would be the same function as cranking the input control into distortion, which is why there's no real point in having a clean boost to drive the front end. The input gain already does that. You need a dirt pedal.
     
  6. Dec 23, 2014 #6
    DirtyDuke

    DirtyDuke Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 13, 2012
    guelph ontario
    Partner Southampton Pedals, Partner CCP
    Southampton 5th gear
     
    bassmusic17 likes this.
  7. Dec 23, 2014 #7
    SandCBass

    SandCBass

    Dec 4, 2011
    Big Lake, MN
    I'd suggest the Fairfield Barbershop for the soft grit to add to the top.
     
    SunnBass likes this.
  8. Dec 23, 2014 #8
    bassmusic17

    bassmusic17

    Jan 15, 2011
    A cheap option I would suggest is a DOD FX10 Bi-fet preamp.
     
    SunnBass likes this.
  9. Dec 23, 2014 #9
    Tobias Wilcox

    Tobias Wilcox

    Aug 18, 2006
    London, ENGLAND
    Cool - any other suggestions? Sounds interesting!
     
  10. Dec 23, 2014 #10
    SunnBass

    SunnBass All these blankets saved my life.

    Aug 31, 2010
    Columbia, Mo
    The input knob works after the actual input signal.
    If the signal is too hot coming into the amp, clip city!
    The input knob has no affect on this.
    And trust me (because it happened to my 700RB II), blasting the input with too hot a signal can burn it out.
    Not a super expensive repair, but a repair nonetheless.

    Using a clean boost the way you want to use one, really only works with tube amps.
    You need a nice, mild overdrive pedal.
    Like the Fairfield Barbershop.
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
    SandCBass likes this.
  11. Dec 27, 2014 #11
    Tobias Wilcox

    Tobias Wilcox

    Aug 18, 2006
    London, ENGLAND
    Decided to try a Solidgold Beta - will update when it arrives.
     
  12. Dec 27, 2014 #12
    mmbongo

    mmbongo I have too many basses. Supporting Member

    Aug 5, 2009
    Upstate, South Carolina
    Fantastic pedal with a huge bottom end. Mine is in the classifieds now, as I'm moving to something a little thinner and more transparent. For what it is I love the Beta though. Truly one of the best pedals I've had.