Talk me out of buying a booster!

d8m

My Pedal chain is very simple.

TU-2>Bad Monkey>DS-2

I use my amps gain channel on with a foot switch a swell.

Been thinking about getting a TC spark to drop in and replace the BM and DS-2

I would primarily use it in front of the amp for pushing that little bit harder whilst on the gain channel to take it from crunch to ear bleeding distortion.

Never had a boost pedal before so am hoping someone can school me on effective use.

not_the_dj

What amp is it?

d8m

Blackstar HT-5210

Gassage

Don't buy a booster.

Branshen

Why get a booster when you have two drive pedals that can be used as boosters? Max the volume and put it on zero gain.

Boosters are ew anyway

bingefeller

You could get the Spark booster, but I'm not sure if it would have enough gain for you on it's own.  You could use the Bad Monkey to push your amp and then use the Spark to boost the BM... 

steamabacus

I have an HT-5 and I think they respond much better to a clean boost than a compressed TS-type overdrive (the HT-5 drive circuit kind of already includes a TS-type element). I used to own a Bad Monkey but rarely used it in combination with the drive channel whereas I used my (home built) clean boost into the HT-5's drive all the time. The DS-2 may be a little better with the HT-5, maybe?

So, sorry, I can't talk you out of the Spark booster. The extra eq on it would be useful, too.

ICBM

Or get a footswitch for the remote function on the DS-2.

not_the_dj

d8m said:

Blackstar HT-5210

Ok

I use the HT-50 head, and to be honest compared to previous amps I've had (Hayden Mofo and Egnater Tweaker) the Blackstar isn't that great at being boosted. I mean, it works fine but it just doesn't sound as good as using a mid OD pedal set with the drive low and level high (I use a Timmy for that).

BTW I keep the gain quite low on the Blackstar, going for more of a classic rock sound.

I used to have a Suhr Koko Boost with the Egnater which was glorious, but it failed to get that from the Blackstar.

I do use a TC Boost in the FX loop though for a pure volume boost.

d8m

not_the_dj said:

d8m said:

Blackstar HT-5210

Ok

I use the HT-50 head, and to be honest compared to previous amps I've had (Hayden Mofo and Egnater Tweaker) the Blackstar isn't that great at being boosted. I mean, it works fine but it just doesn't sound as good as using a mid OD pedal set with the drive low and level high (I use a Timmy for that).

BTW I keep the gain quite low on the Blackstar, going for more of a classic rock sound.

I used to have a Suhr Koko Boost with the Egnater which was glorious, but it failed to get that from the Blackstar.

I do use a TC Boost in the FX loop though for a pure volume boost.

Thanks for everyone's replies

I am now talked out of buying a booster, stupid GAS!

The Bad Monkey seems like it will be a far better shout!

not_the_dj

If you're just after a new toy get a Boss SD-1 and run that into the overdrive channel...excellent fun, harmonics just pop out, great for some 80s rock noodling ;-)

mike_l

I loves me a Bad Monkey into a Marshall.

 

The only "clean boost" I like is an MXR Microamp in the FX loop.

smudge_lad

I've never been one for using a booster to push my amp into crunch/distortion, only as a kind of lead boost/volume gain for some guitar parts.

If I were to try to use a boost for pushing the front end of my amp, I'd need to run my master volume at around 1 or 2, which I always feel is a bit pointless

What do you think a clean boost would offer you over the Bad Monkey?

d8m

not_the_dj said:

If you're just after a new toy

Rumbled!

RMJ

Buy a booster.

Or a rooster.

therose789

d8m said:

Blackstar HT-5210

Dont buy a booster!

meltedbuzzbox

d8m said:

Blackstar HT-5210

buy a new amp ;-)

d8m

meltedbuzzbox said:

d8m said:

Blackstar HT-5210

buy a new amp ;-)

Why?

Its a brilliant amp for my needs.

TinLip

@d8m

This is your mother. Do not buy a booster.

TinLip

Also, I have a HT-5R with both a TS9 and DS1. The TS sounds good but nowhere near the same as pushing it through something like a Marshall DSL50 stack. Save your money rather.

mike_l

Don't buy a booster.

Buy a load of dirty pedals instead.

Just like me.

 

Incidentally @DesVegas looked like he'd shat himself when I told him how many I have.........