What drives / boosts for already driven amp?

photek

I have had well over 100 od pedals but am back to using amp drive and have sold all the pedals. To save me going on the hunt again can anyone suggest some drives or boosts for an already overdriven EL34 amp.

So far I have tried and like: CAE boost, SHO and an EQ pedal.

Tried and didn't like: TS9, ZVEX distortron, klone, BB pre. 

I don't like the saggy farty sound on the low notes that happens with the BB pre and distortron. Suggestions please!

monquixote

Prince of tone!

photek

Oh yes forgot about those, had a KOT a while back that I should have bloody kept!

octatonic

Suhr Koko boost, KOT, RC Booster.

photek

Like the idea of a koko boost, I have a greenhouse effects middle man boost on the way but having a 2 in one would be cool. Checking out vids now...

not_the_dj

+1 for the Suhr Koko Boost

mike_l

@photek

As you're local to myself (I believe near Huntingdon), you're more than welcome to try any of my drive pedals.

Take your pick from

Boss SD-1

Boss SD-2

MXR Distortion 3

MXR Zakk Wylde

MXR Microamp

For something to try before you decide what you do/don't like

spacecadet

I was going to get the Koko but for after a bit of thinking, went for an MXR EQ. Pair that with an EP booster and your golden. Less money and more versatile. Also more pedals for the board!

photek

mike_l said:

@photek

As you're local to myself (I believe near Huntingdon), you're more than welcome to try any of my drive pedals.

Take your pick from

Boss SD-1

Boss SD-2

MXR Distortion 3

MXR Zakk Wylde

MXR Microamp

For something to try before you decide what you do/don't like

Sounds like a good excuse for a jam Mike. I am in Huntingdon so will PM you to catch up. Thanks man.

digitalkettle

not_the_dj said:

+1 for the Suhr Koko Boost

+2

Travisthedog

TC Spark Boost?

 

Dave_Mc

timmy, sd1 (might be too close to ts)

preston61

Lazy J Cruiser Deuce, transparent and versatile. I love mine!

The Timmy is also an excellent choice, theres one for sale in the classifieds as well :-)

Bellycaster

Keeley Katana sounds good. Some Lovepedal model I've heard sounds great too, can't remember the exact one though.

I have to agree with the Koko as well.

mike_l

@photek, for sure, sounds like a plan.

Catthan

Has anybody compared a Suhr koko against a klon(e) type pedal?

If so, please share

digitalkettle

Catthan said:

Has anybody compared a Suhr koko against a klon(e) type pedal?

If so, please share

It's not a straight comparison really: Koko is a totally clean boost (with an internally switchable buffer) with a selectable lo-mid/mid-mid/hi-mid boost on top...no gain control, just gobs of volume.

hywelg

With an already overdriven amp you really need a cleanish boost otherwise it will all get too muddy, unless you want loads of dirt, but you might well just compress tto much and not cut through.

I use an RC Boost, or the boost circuit on my Menatone TBIAC

bertie

What hywel said  about using clean(ish)

RC or AC boost  -  or a cleaner setting of something like a Boiling Point (which I love, and I know ICBM doesnt )  or a DLS

photek

The sounds I have liked so far have been from clean boosts which goes along with what you guys are saying for sure. I am seriously thinking about a koko boost so I have the option of a mid boost as well and once the middle man boost arrives that should give me a good idea of if I like mid boosts.
I guess my next questions is can you have too much mid? I use a mid heavy sound as it is and sometimes wonder if by adding too many mids I go past the point where my sound cuts.

ICBM

bertie said:

What hywel said  about using clean(ish)

RC or AC boost  -  or a cleaner setting of something like a Boiling Point (which I love, and I know ICBM doesnt )

I don't know if I love it or not! Never tried one. I do know it's an overhyped TS derivative though... it might be good - although still overhyped .

The Boss SD-1 is definitely a TS-type too, but it seems to work better with Marshall-type amps for some reason. It's also far cheaper than a (real) TS, let alone any fancy copy. It still works well as a boost even when both the amp and the pedal are quite dirty.

photek said:

The sounds I have liked so far have been from clean boosts which goes along with what you guys are saying for sure. I am seriously thinking about a koko boost so I have the option of a mid boost as well and once the middle man boost arrives that should give me a good idea of if I like mid boosts.
I guess my next questions is can you have too much mid? I use a mid heavy sound as it is and sometimes wonder if by adding too many mids I go past the point where my sound cuts.

I don't think you lose cut, just that the sound can get very nasal if you overdo the mids.

Clean boosts with an upper-mid edge or bass cut will work, but the cleaner (ie the less effect it has on the tone) the boost the less effective since it will be trying to boost the whole frequency spectrum, and that's when it turns the amp to mush without boosting the volume.