A Good CLEAN Boost for EVH 5150 IIIS EL34 100 Head???

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raymitchell

raymitchell

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Hey gang!
So, I'm looking for a nice clean boost for my EVH 5150 IIIS EL34 head. The hundred watter, not the 50. I don't want it for gain, I want to use it as an additional tightener. I've checked out the Fortin 33 and Grind and, they're nice and all but, I don't like the glassy/chirpy thing they do on the top-end. I'm much more a modded JCM 2204 kind of guy.

I like the idea of the Maxon 808 or the 808X but, I'd like true bypass. Another pedal that I know I like for sure is the MI Audio Crunch Box but, there's none around within 100 miles I can try with my amp to see if they'll get along with each other.

Anyhoo, just wanted to get some suggestions/ideas from you guys. For me, the number one goal is always tightness. That's why I've been leaning toward the 808.

NOTE: Some other pedals that have caught my eye are the Friedman BE-OD, and the EVH 5150 Overdrive. I'm wondering how these two would do if set up as more tweakable boosts rather than outright preamp pedals. :confused:

Thoughts?
 
I haven't played the EL34 version, but I have the 6L6 one. With the goal you're describing, I'd recommend checking out the TC Spark Booster. It's more transparent than a TS, so it's perfect in situations when your core tone is there but just want a little additional push without changing the tone too much. The bass control is nice because a flat clean boost can sometimes push the lows too much and actually cause it to loose tightness in the low end. The 3-way toggle is a great feature as well. The mid boost setting boosts the mids in a different spot than a TS, so it won't be redundant if you decide to add a TS later.
 
I know you mentioned the 100-watt version but I have the 50-watt version and use both a BE-OD and EP Booster. The BE-OD works great with the difference being the 'tight' control. I like being able to have a sweeping adjustment. In fact, as much as I like the BE-OD I really want to grab a Buxom Boost and try that. Again, all things being equal, the 'tight' control on the Friedman pedals works great.
 
The Buxom Boost and the Maxon OD808 are my two favorites. The Buxom Boost sounds awesome in front of something like an old Marshall that you love the sound of...but wish it had more gain. You can blast the front end of the amp, tighten it up and basically get a Friedman mod in a box.

For already pretty saturated amps like the 5150, I like the Maxon. No matter what else I try, I always come back to that pedal to push an amp that has plenty of gain, but just needs some tightening. Gain on zero, level all the way up.
 
I am selling a Horizon Devices Precision Drive... Pretty sweet little pedal. Check out the classifieds
 
Cool thread. I have never been into the whole boost thing( fk was I missing out :doh: ) I owned a 5153 and couldn't make it work for me. Had I owned a BB I'd probably still own it. I grabbed a BB a couple weeks ago after being on the fence , wasnt feeling it in the clips I could find. Currently think it is a huge tone shaping benefit to an amp that has a large amount of gain(BE100) before I ran the sat switch and used the HBE channel for leads , now I do not use the sat switch and stay on the hbe channel with the gain around 1 o'clock. The BB is about 1 o'clock on the boost knob and it is pretty awsome. Amp sounds more open with more distortion/gain and can be tightend up as well. The eq makes the options even better being able to boost this or that frequency when engaged. I had a ts9dlx before this and was digging it but kept reading and trying to discover or undiscover the whole diode clipping thing. Not sure if the maxon,timmy and others mentioned have diode clipping OR if it even matters much if the gain on these pedals is basicly set to zero? Hope this is somewhat helpful.
 
fearhk213":2euorrgl said:
I haven't played the EL34 version, but I have the 6L6 one. With the goal you're describing, I'd recommend checking out the TC Spark Booster. It's more transparent than a TS, so it's perfect in situations when your core tone is there but just want a little additional push without changing the tone too much. The bass control is nice because a flat clean boost can sometimes push the lows too much and actually cause it to loose tightness in the low end. The 3-way toggle is a great feature as well. The mid boost setting boosts the mids in a different spot than a TS, so it won't be redundant if you decide to add a TS later.
Click to expand...

I concur. I have one, and though not using it now, it works VERY well with gainier amps. Excellent pedal!

For TS-style, the MXR GT-OD is fantastic. I used mine with everything!
 
Guys, thank you all so much for all the suggestions. By all means, keep them coming! It's not just that you're recommending this model or that model, you guys are going a step further and also sharing insight as to tonal characteristics, boost/clipping types, interaction with different amps, etc. Really, REALLY helping me navigate these waters.

Much appreciated, keep it coming! :rock:
 
Spark boost by Tc is very simple and sounds great. Very trasparent.
 
If you want the Fortin pedal tones look at the TC Electronic Integrated Preamp. The Fortin circuit is a 1 knob version of this pedal.
 
If you can find one of the original TC electronics booster/ line Drive/distortion pedals, this is the very best clean boost I have ever experienced, It also has other options but the clean boost is incredible
 

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SQUAREHEAD":lilglzv2 said:
If you can find one of the original TC electronics booster/ line Drive/distortion pedals, this is the very best clean boost I have ever experienced, It also has other options but the clean boost is incredible
Click to expand...

I have one that i'm considering letting go of. The only problems with it are that it's scratched up a bit & L.E.D Goes out after a few minutes,the effect is still on but the light just goes out.
 
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