Boost! Need 1 knobber suggestions...

[MikeH]

Ok, I've got an enclosure already drilled for 1 knob and 1 togggle switch (which I'm sure I could find a use for no matter what the design is), So...

I've already built these boosts:  SHO, AMZ Mosfet, AMZ mini, LPB, Beginner boost, Ge Rangemaster, Fetzer, Red Ranger, Purple Peaker, MXR Micro Amp, Vox Treble Booster, Sparkle Boost... uh, I think that's it.

Can anyone suggest something a little different that I haven't tried yet?

Edit:  I've done a valve caster and the ROG Omega too.

[Kearns892]

Wow, not trying to hijack, but I was getting on to post almost the same question asking for peoples opinions as for the best one knob, non tube, boost.

If you want me to start my own thread I will, but I think we save some people from saying the same thing twice this way.

[Dragonfly]

John Hollis' "Titan Boost"

Different than any of the ones you've built.

http://www.hollis.co.uk/john/circuits.html

http://www.hollis.co.uk/john/titan_boost.jpg

http://www.geofex.com/PCB_layouts/Layouts/titanbst.pdf

[MikeH]

That one looks pretty cool... so it's actually a transformer doing the boosting?  Awesome.

Any other suggestions?

[MikeH]

Wow, not trying to hijack, but I was getting on to post almost the same question asking for peoples opinions as for the best one knob, non tube, boost.

If you want me to start my own thread I will, but I think we save some people from saying the same thing twice this way.

This is one of those "can 'o worms" questions that some people will jump all over your back for asking, because realistically, it's a little more complicated than "which one is best?"  It really depends on your opinion and ...
1) what you want out of it;  "Clean" volume boost?  Dirty up your amp?  Boost certain frequencies?
2) What your amp/effects setup is, as well as what guitar you play. 
And 3) Your playing style- do you use the volume on your guitar to interact with you effects/amp? Also what 'style' of playing you do (ie- delicate and controlled vs. 'Hammer on an anvil'.  I consider both to be perfectly valid styles, btw)

[Kearns892]

Wow, not trying to hijack, but I was getting on to post almost the same question asking for peoples opinions as for the best one knob, non tube, boost.

If you want me to start my own thread I will, but I think we save some people from saying the same thing twice this way.

This is one of those "can 'o worms" questions that some people will jump all over your back for asking, because realistically, it's a little more complicated than "which one is best?"  It really depends on your opinion and ...
1) what you want out of it;  "Clean" volume boost?  Dirty up your amp?  Boost certain frequencies?
2) What your amp/effects setup is, as well as what guitar you play. 
And 3) Your playing style- do you use the volume on your guitar to interact with you effects/amp? Also what 'style' of playing you do (ie- delicate and controlled vs. 'Hammer on an anvil'.  I consider both to be perfectly valid styles, btw)

I understand exactly what you mean, I was asking for peoples opinions, but hoping they would qualify them by saying "such and such is cleanest" or "this one provides most boost"
I guess what I am going for is a clean boost though. I am still interested to hear anyone's thoughts though, I do agree though simply saying a certain pedal is best is fairly useless.

Which ones would you (and would you not) recommend as far as cleanliness Mike? And which so far is your personal favorite?

[MikeH]

Which ones would you (and would you not) recommend as far as cleanliness Mike? And which so far is your personal favorite?

A must read by Mark Hammer regarding "Clean Boosts": 
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=73666.msg597780#msg597780

As for me; I'll first qualify fmy answer by stating that I'm the type of player that uses all of the controls on my guitar all the way up all of the time.  I mostly use an ampeg v4, which is really clean with TONS of headroom, so I can boost my volume quite a bit without dirtying up the preamp (So, if you're using a 30W amp, don't expect the same results).  And I basically use a boost at the very end of my chain for solos and such.  In that capacity, I've found my favorites to be (in no particular order) the AMZ mosfet, SHO and ROG omega.  I don't think it's a coincidence that all 3 are MOSFET boosters at heart.  The omega can go treble or full range boost, which is cool.  I think MOSFETS give a nice even freq range boost, and generally feel nice and punchy to me.

As far as not clean, tha AMZ miniboost will be very dirty, although I think it's sounds great.  I'm not a fan of the LPB; I think it boosts the low end a little too much.  JFET boosters like the Sparkle Boost and the fetzer are a little less "clean" and don't seem to give as much volume boost, but sound VERY nice.

[Dragonfly]

I guess what I am going for is a clean boost though.

High voltage op amp circuit will probably be the cleanest - give the most headroom.

take a look at the shaka hv for ideas

[svstee]

Maybe a Pentaboost if you want to take this in a slightly different direction. Not really a CLEAN boost, but subminis are a lot of fun.

[Ben N]

Mike, is there some specific bit of sonic territory you feel you have missed in all your booster adventures ("the one"), or are you just a totally promiscuous serial boosterizer (meant to be analagous to womanizer)?

If you are just randomly looking for boosters to build, you can try Jack's Muff Boost, or something in the mid-range tweaked department like Gus's Overdrive (really a one-transistor boost with a shelving low cut and bit of a high-end roll-off) or Yun's Rocket Boost. In fet world, there is Paul Marossy's Tillman variation and Tim Escobedo's Utility Boost. Or, for something completely different, try the Joe Davisson discrete compression opamp as a booster.

But it will never end, not until you get help. 

[Kearns892]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I don't have time to check out these circuits right now, though I must say my aim is for something simple. Still any suggestions, by all means, through 'em at me.

[sevenisthenumber]

im a stratoblaster fan.

[frequencycentral]

Maybe a Pentaboost if you want to take this in a slightly different direction. Not really a CLEAN boost, but subminis are a lot of fun.

Pentaboost with the addition of a MAX1044 for a few stages of doubling and a high plate voltage might be interesting - and cleaner than the stock version.

[earthtonesaudio]

The cleanest "boost" is not a boost at all:



Make the 1M linear an internal trimmer (all could be done point to point if you want), and for the toggle switch, perhaps a 100k or less resistor in parallel with the 1M audio (variable tone suck).


All components shown except switch, in/out jacks, and optional LED.  If adding an LED, wire it so it comes on when the circuit is bypassed (reverse from "normal").

[Andi]

Not very clean, but you could do a 386 based boost and use the toggle to up the gain for some filth.

[David]

Ok, I've got an enclosure already drilled for 1 knob and 1 togggle switch (which I'm sure I could find a use for no matter what the design is), So...

I've already built these boosts:  SHO, AMZ Mosfet, AMZ mini, LPB, Beginner boost, Ge Rangemaster, Fetzer, Red Ranger, Purple Peaker, MXR Micro Amp, Vox Treble Booster, Sparkle Boost... uh, I think that's it.

Can anyone suggest something a little different that I haven't tried yet?

Edit:  I've done a valve caster and the ROG Omega too.

Mike, you were on AMZ and missed the Muffer?  It makes a most EXCELLENT boost if you remove the cap and diodes and use a 2N5089.  I have one on my pedalboard for this express purpose.

[Dragonfly]

The cleanest "boost" is not a boost at all:



Make the 1M linear an internal trimmer (all could be done point to point if you want), and for the toggle switch, perhaps a 100k or less resistor in parallel with the 1M audio (variable tone suck).


All components shown except switch, in/out jacks, and optional LED.  If adding an LED, wire it so it comes on when the circuit is bypassed (reverse from "normal").

passive volume cut.

actually, they're quite useful - i posted these two layouts for similar passive volume cuts here a few years back, and i've used them quite a bit.

a cool pedal involves a boost on one side and a cut on the other...works great with single channel amps like marshall jmp's...set up a rhythm sound on the amp, then use the "cut" side for your clean tone, the "boost" side for your lead tone...

[petemoore]

  No booster collection is complete without the Minibooster.
  Mu Amp means: Jfets that self bias [big +], big boost, a bit of smooth dirt for your troubles...

[MikeH]

Thanks for the suggestions guys- I TOTALLY forgot about a 1-knobber I've been meaning to build for a long time- The May Queen at ROG.  I know, it not a boost; thanks for all of the booster suggestions, and like Ben N implied, I've kind of covered the booster dept, although I do want to try the titan boost. 

[Ben N]

like Ben N implied, I've kind of covered the booster dept, although I do want to try the titan boost. 

I hope the fun came through in my post. Hey, we're all just a little bit prone to addiction here, which is why it is a good thing for all concerned that we are here, as opposed to less harmless alternatives. Boost on!