Help me decide on an overdrive build

[spi]

Hi everyone,

this is my first post here, although I've been aware of the forum for years and used it for research/info in the past.

I have a double-size enclosure to build with, and want to do a stacked overdrive thing.  There will be at least one bluesbreaker-style overdrive because that's one kind I don't have.

I have narrowed down to two possibilities. 

1) Put two bluesbreaker-style circuits together (similar to what a KoT does).  Pros: it's a proven formula that people like.   Cons:  I find the idea of stacking two of the same circuit kind of silly.

2) Put a treble booster into a bluesbreaker.  Pros:  I don't have a dedicated boost pedal, so this would add one to my arsenal.  Cons:  I'm not sure how these two circuits gel with each other, although my impression is that a treble boost->marshall is a well-known kind of a sound that this might replicate.


Let me know what you think of either idea, or what you would do.

thanks!

[GibsonGM]

Hi Spi, and welcome to the forum!  I like your idea of a treble boost - be sure to see how it sounds ahead of the BB before you build, of course.

Another one I like is to follow an OD like the BB or a TS with a Mosfet Boost (see the AMZ link at top of the page).  It's pretty transparent but od's a tube amp front end very well, and I use mine for boosting leads...just an idea, I'm sure there will be others!

Have fun! 

[antonis]

with a Mosfet Boost

How peculiar for your Highness, Sir.. 

P.S.
Welcome Spi..!!
(and don't get seriously the above internal joke - but DO get seriously what GibsonGM said..)

[GibsonGM]

(it could just as easily be a JFET boost, opamp boost, or BJT-based thing like an LPB1, depending on your tastes...)

[MikeA]

IMHO, a Bluesbreaker is pretty subtle until it's driven by something else, whether another BB or a boost as you mentioned.  If you do use two BB's, I predict you'll want to have both of them on together.  If you stack a different boost/OD in front of a BB, you'll have more flexibility.  A few of my favorites other than the usual suspects are the Ibanez MT10, the Pearl OD-05 and the Nobels ODR1.  First two are very flexible due to their tone stacks, and the third is just a good low-gain OD that stacks well (but does need a bass control, it's bottom-heavy otherwise.) 

[ElectricDruid]

The original Bluesbreaker might be a bit subtle, but it's not exactly a complicated design to tweak to taste. I've never built one, so I couldn't say for sure, but I can read a schematic. You could stack a treble booster into a hot-rodded Bluesbreaker to get more variety. After all, you can always turn it down...(Ok, no, you can't - you're a guitarist, I get it ).

Ok, so...next question...which treble booster are you thinking of?

[spi]

Thanks for the responses so far!

Ok, so...next question...which treble booster are you thinking of?

I am thinking Naga Viper.

[nocentelli]

Thanks for the responses so far!

Ok, so...next question...which treble booster are you thinking of?

I am thinking Naga Viper.

Excellent choice

[antonis]

Excellent choice

3 pots for a single BJT Booster..??