Do I need boost or gain?

[project_c]

Sorry for the noob question, been playing a while but rarely get the chance to use pedals. I just got hold of a Broughton Fliptop which I LOVE, and I've noticed that it has a really satisfying tone when I use it with basses with loud / hot pickups. (Nothing crazy hot or modern, I mostly just play P's and J's). So if I want to use lower output basses but still push the pedal into mild Ampeg dirt territory, would I just need a simple volume boost before the pedal? Or would it be better to get a gain/drive pedal? Or something else?

 

[brianrost]

Do you already own lower output basses and can't get the dirt you want?

 

[LowRenzo]

Sorry for the noob question, been playing a while but rarely get the chance to use pedals. I just got hold of a Broughton Fliptop which I LOVE, and I've noticed that it has a really satisfying tone when I use it with basses with loud / hot pickups. (Nothing crazy hot or modern, I mostly just play P's and J's). So if I want to use lower output basses but still push the pedal into mild Ampeg dirt territory, would I just need a simple volume boost before the pedal? Or would it be better to get a gain/drive pedal? Or something else?

From what you've described, a clean boost would work best. That way all you would be doing is matching outputs between basses, so the Fliptop responds evenly to your different basses with naturally different outputs, but their own sound.

There are drive pedals that can provide a clean boost, but also offer some slight toneshaping if you want it. However, a clean boost would be the most straightforward option.

 

[project_c]

Do you already own lower output basses and can't get the dirt you want?

I do, but it's not necessarily just dirt I want, it's more that the pedal gives me way more dynamic versatility with my higher output basses. For example, I have a fretless P with a Duncan SPB3 PJ set of pickups and the pedal loves these pickups, and they are super loud. Playing this bass through the Fliptop feels really close to an actual B15, it responds really well to how hard / soft I'm playing. Meanwhile with my MIJ Jazz, which sounds great but has a super low output the pedal sounds way more polite, it adds some nice colour but there is not much difference in the way it responds to dynamics.

From what you've described, a clean boost would work best. That way all you would be doing is matching outputs between basses, so the Fliptop responds evenly to your different basses with naturally different outputs, but their own sound.

There are drive pedals that can provide a clean boost, but also offer some slight toneshaping if you want it. However, a clean boost would be the most straightforward option.

Yep, this makes sense, thanks! I'll look into getting a simple boost.

 

[Gearhead17]

MXR M81. Clean EQ pedal. Can be set to boost your volume when engaged.

 

[Feral Feline]

Alternatives to a clean boost or EQ pedal set to boost:

Try to find Southampton's "All Things Equal" (used, as it's out of production).

V1

V2

Or a Boss LS-2 set for two inputs one output, and then you don't have to even unplug your J while using your P and vice versa, just stomp to swap: "A<>B" mode.

You could even plug in 3 instruments into the LS-2, use the "A>B>BYPASS" mode.
Plug your main instrument into "input", the other two into the Returns and level match the two in the Returns to your main instrument.
Boss LS-2 how to's, do's and don'ts....

 

[bassbrad]

The TC Electronics Spark Mini Boost pedal may fit your needs. It is a clean boost of up to 20 db and very economical.

TC Electronic | Product | SPARK MINI BOOSTER