Anyone here build a GGG Stratoblaster?

[BPSUL]

Anyone here build a Stratoblaster from GGG?

I play a strat - and with this kit being so cheap and simple I was thinking about giving it a try.  This boosts AND shapes your sound, correct?  I have an assembled confidence booster from BYOC already - I don't want to buy the stratoblaster and find out it is exactly the same thing - anyone have any helpful info?

Thanks in advance...
b...

[petemoore]

  Confidence booster, not sure exactly what that is...
  Boosters don't sound all the same.
  But boosters tend to sound the same, at least compared to boost/distortion or something.
  I've built a few Blasters, my brother has a couple, modified for a small max-amplitude boost, I put each one on a DPDT/volume control, they're installed in his guitars.
 

[Renegadrian]

  But boosters tend to sound the same, at least compared to boost/distortion or something.

Sorry, I have to strongly disagree about that sentence...
I spent friday night with a local pro guitarist, he wanted to play with all the boosters I have, and we sure found BIG differenes among them...Or a LPB sounds like a SPARKLE to your ears? 

[petemoore]

  It all has to do with the context.
  When I put 'Boosters don't all sound the same' in front, it didn't seem so much like I was lumping boosters all in to the same as same pot.
  If I wanted something that sounds than the CB, I would find out what's in the CB, then choose something that's different, perhaps a Strato-blaster, could be a Rangemaster.
  If I wanted something a lot different I would probably choose something which adds a bit or more of distortion, maybe a Minibooster or perhaps a tubereamer.
  Having a distorter that responds to pre-boost can be cool [especially if you have a booster].
  Rangemaster can sound a bit like a distorter...but I tend to not say a recommend, it's an opinion and 'amp sensative' circuit.
  Jfet's sound like Jfet's.
  Comparing the confidence booster [whatever that is, booster I guess] to a distortion, you'll probably notice more distortion on the distortion side than if the distortion side was a booster.
 

[cpnyc23]

BPSUL - when it comes to the Stratoblaster, it doesn't so much 'shape' your sound in the sense that it changes the shape to something else.  Rather, it boosts not only the signal but also the clarity of the tones inherent in your guitar.  It can, under the proper circumstances, provide a fuller tone. 

it also gets pretty loud   

-chris

p.s. you should build it.  its a good place to start if you aren't familiar with the building process.

[Renegadrian]

mmm, while I respect your opinion, I still disagree...It's not only a matter of how much distortion one of those boosters gives you (while it's a good conversation point...) but the sound you get from it...A Tillman has a sound, LPB has another, Sparkle has another, Rocket another one...And the list could go on...Sometimes the differences are big, sometimes not that big...
I built some and I know their differences, and I can chose the right one every time...

So, BiT, BPSUL, what the @# do you want?! eheheh

[frequencycentral]

Confidence Booster: http://www.buildyourownclone.com/confidence.html

[brett]

Hi
if you've got a cleanish style amp (Fender whatever) then a Stratoblaster will give clean boost when low and some nice distortion when cranked.
However, you won't really notice the distortion from the booster if you are driving a nasty Marshall.  But it is still really useful because it will generate a heap of distortion in the Marshall and turn a nasty amp into a horrid one (nice horrid  ).

I have a re-issue Marshall JTM with a not very dirty vintage JTM channel, and a dirty high gain JCM channel.  The Stratoblaster is really good for adding some extra crunch and bite to the vintage channel.  The Stratoblaster is also good for feeding my little Vox Valvetronix.

I would say that most people would like a Stratoblaster.  In addition to a basic distortion (Tubescreamer/Rat/Bosstone or whatever), it would be my "must have" on a deserted island.
cheers

[Ben N]

In my experience, with single coils a SB really does just give you more volume--a nice, clean full-range boost, great for solos. Of course, depending on your amp and how it is dialed in, that may translate to increased distortion, but not from the SB itself. A lot of boosters do change your tone (mid-range boost, sparkle, grit, whatever), but the SB--very little. But I have only used it on-board in a Strat, I don't know if it is the same in a pedal, or after other gain elements or a higher-output pickup.