Effective solo boosts

mark_jwedge

I have always used amps with an FX loop and so have used a clean boost in the loop for a volume lift for solos very effectively for ages.

I am however increasingly drawn to classic Marshall type amps, and the mjw and ceriatone amps in the classifieds currently have me sorely tempted. I was just wondering how you would get an effective solo boost out of these types of amps - especially when the amp is overdriven - as they often don't have an FX loop

hotpickups

I've always had a non fx loop amp but always use my guitar volume knob for solos. If that's not enough I'll use a clean boost to push it further. Never had a problem

Teyeplayer

In pretty much the same way mate.

Chuck an exotic sp (or far cheaper mostly xp) boost in for straightforward boost or one of the many klon clones for a transparent OD that has the potential for both boost and extra drive -I've found the ehx soul food is pretty wicked for this. In fact I use both of the above, soul food for slightly more drive and the xp boosts solos. Both could be had for about £50-60 total in the secondhand market.

MatthewShreddery

Depends how distorted the amp already is before boosting. If it's already pretty dirty, and you hit the front end with more gain it'll just compress more, giving more distortion but very little volume boost.

In my limited experience of those kinds of amps, they're usually VERY loud so using the volume knob on your guitar to clean up the signal, then whack it up for boost does the trick.

Maynehead

You can't boost the actual volume by much but you can use an EQ pedal to reshape the signal to cut through more. Cut the lows and highs and boost the mids to make better use of the volume spectrum that you've got.

It can also double up as a boost at the same time if you need more sustain.

Sassafras

Treble booster can make you stand out a bit more.

professorben

Depends on two things in my experience 
firstly the gain level and tone you are using as your rhythm sound 
secondly the band dynamic 

Using your guitar volume might work in a bluesy 3 piece or more restrained 2 guitar line up where the other guy understands dynamics. 

But good luck in anything from JCM800 gain level and up where the bands general level is more intense. 

You either have to carve out your own slice of the sonic cake, or adapt and overcome with sheer volume, I use the latter as I'm a metal guy, not because everything is loud and grunty, but because that style doesn't benefit from backing off, and even if we did, the gain levels we use are so high, you wouldn't notice. 

ICBM

Get an attenuator with a footswitchable bypass, and set the attenuated level for your rhythm sound.

TTBZ

I use a tubescreamer in a 1 guitar band, the extra mids seem to help and theres enough room in the mix for it to work I think. In a 2 guitar band I would use an eq, ideally in the fx loop.

JayGee

Pushing the front end harder (or backing off between solos) can be made to work perfectly well with one guitar, bass, and drummer but with a second guitar (or a keyboard player, or whatever) you're probably going to want/need a little co-operation from your band mates backing off a bit and making some space as well.

siraxeman

ICBM said:

Get an attenuator with a footswitchable bypass, and set the attenuated level for your rhythm sound.

Does one exist.

hotpickups

siraxeman said:

ICBM said:

Get an attenuator with a footswitchable bypass, and set the attenuated level for your rhythm sound.

Does one exist.

Ironman II mini

webrthomson

I used to use a Morley volume pedal with the min volume set to my rhythm sound and full up for solos, think it was the older version of this:

http://www.morleypedals.com/volume-plus/

Sassafras

siraxeman said:

ICBM said:

Get an attenuator with a footswitchable bypass, and set the attenuated level for your rhythm sound.

Does one exist.

Not according to the Bible.

siraxeman

hotpickups said:

siraxeman said:

ICBM said:

Get an attenuator with a footswitchable bypass, and set the attenuated level for your rhythm sound.

Does one exist.

Ironman II mini

Does anyone else make em its a great idea and should be standard...just £395 is a bit too rich for most methinks.

xibxang

I have a Marshall AVT100 and I use the OD1 channel combined with my guitar volume controls for general rhythm work. For leads, I use the Clean channel with the gain cranked right up and a tube screamer on the front end to get a bit more oomph and sustain. Works well for me. 

Nerine

Dual volume footswitchable attenuators. 

ChrisCox1994

Simple answer: it can't be done properly.

Long answer: everything else mentioned: switchable attenuation, clean boost FX loop or 2 switchable master volumes etc etc. 

if you want an easy life, get a good clean amp and try out every overdrive you can until you find what works, or get a Kemper! 

57Deluxe

Maynehead said:

You can't boost the actual volume by much but you can use an EQ pedal to reshape the signal to cut through more. Cut the lows and highs and boost the mids to make better use of the volume spectrum that you've got.

It can also double up as a boost at the same time if you need more sustain.

ermmm - this adds a massive vol boost with minimal coloration - is immense...

EricTheWeary

Stevie Young (ACDC) has a small fortune in guitars and vintage Marshalls on stage and in the middle of it all a Mooer Pure Boost (£44 new) which is basically a clone of the Xotic RC Boost (£210 new).
Straightforward clean boosts can sound a bit harsh so something with eq or something voiced to be less harsh sounding ( like ZVex Channel 2 or Fulltone 2B) might be good. 
However, I suspect in reality @MatthewShreddery got it about right.