Help Me Choose an OD/Boost

[Electric Funeral]

Hey everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice on OD/Boost pedals.

I've used a handful of different ODs before, and currently have a BBE Green Screamer and an EHX Germanium OD. My amp is a 90's Mesa Triple Recto with Tung-Sol EL34's. I play mostly classic rock/metal/hardcore punk.

I'm generally pretty happy with the straight-in tone of the Mesa (after considerable tweaking to the EQ) but am looking for a bit of a kick in the pre section.

The EHX sounds great with P-90's and other singles, but is too muddy for most of my 'bucker guitars. The BBE is a great lead boost, as I like the high-end boost for solos, but for rhythm playing it sucks away way too much low end from my tone. I've tried EQ pedals, but have always found that keeping my settings the same has been difficult when going from home-to-jamspace-to-gig.

So I'm looking to get a really transparent sounding OD that will tighten up some of the Mesa's flubby low-end, as well as gaining a bit more midrange and upper-mid detail. A typical TS9/TS808 type pedal seems to roll off the bass a little too much and most seem to give a sort of "cocked-wah" tone that's great for solos but shitty for rhythm/palm muting/heavy chords.

I know there's lots of pedal geeks on this board, as well as dudes with similar gear/playing style/tates to mine.

Any recommendations?

[axslinger]

I'm holding out for the TC Electronic Spark Boost. It looks like it's going to be a very versatile pedal, adding just enough hair/grind but also able to function as a clean boost.

[ElectricMojo]

Hey,
You should really check out the Fairfield Circuitry BarberShop OD.
One of the coolest ODs I've played in my life.

[Electric Funeral]

Thanks for the reccomendations guys, I'll check them out.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I plan on leaving this pedal on top of my amp and leaving in ON all the time, even on my clean channel.

This means I need it to clean up really well, and not drive my clean channel into grit.

The EHX does this very well, but as I said is too muddy for humbuckers. With the BBE (set gain 0, Level 9-10) the clean channel sounds like it's got a slight fuzz, and rolling the volume down doesn't alleviate this at all.

[Kalz]

visual sound open road or double trouble

[LeftyF2003]

For the stuff you play you might really get on with an OCD. I would go check one out and see if it suits you. If you want a Tube Screamer type pedal that has more bottom end and transparency I'd check out the Xotic BB Preamp. My current #1 favorite overdrive for my live rig.

[Kalz]

now that i realized the style you are going for try the Zakk Wylde OD pedal by MXR

[kboman]

TS type pedals that let you control the low end frequencies include the Way Huge Green Rhino and the MXR Custom Badass Modified OD (they really need to rename that thing btw).

You will find me and/or Electric Mojo gushing about the Barbershop pedal in most OD threads around here, and for good reason. It's the best pedal of any kind I have ever used. Very neutral EQ and very variable gain and gain structure thanks to the Sag control. Everything I do sounds better with this thing on!

[Electric Funeral]

Hmm...this is tough. I'm dying of curiosity to try the Barbershop...

Also, that MXR Custom Badass looks worth a shot, as the 100hz knob and the "bump" switch look like they may solve my problem. From other threads regarding it, it seems the consensus is that it's eerily similar to a Keely modded SD-1 and the Green Rhino.

I've always heard good things about the Zakk OD, but isn't it just an SD-1 with true bypass in a different box? I've heard that as well lol. I had an SD-1 and it was pretty sweet for $50.

For anyone that's used any of these, can anyone comment on how much they dirty up a clean channel? Assuming I'm planning to leave it on for cleans - I'm not expecting sparking clean, but my SD-1 used to (and my BBE currently does) make the clean channel fuzzy and useless.

[Nigel Tufnel's tech]

You could have a look at Xotic's RC and AC booster. also have a look at Suhr's koko boost, it has a separate Mid boost along with it's clean boost.

[Lowdown]

Skip to 1:10 -

TC Electronic Spark - YouTube

TC Electronic Spark - YouTube

It's at the top of my next list.

[jd0272]

Look at uk based Williams Audio. Nick built me a transparent boost using nos parts, sounds the nuts, really brings the boost up, I was well impressed. So much so I'm gonna get one of his fuzz pedals. The boost isn't advertised on the site but email him and he'll probably do ya one. Lovely bloke too.

[gibsonguitar1988]

Try an Xotic RC boost. AC boost if you want gain boost, RC for clean boost.

[Stevie 202]

If your any good with a soldering iron, THIS baby right here is great:

overdrive2

[Leendrix]

A stock Boss SD-1 is graciously amazing!

[Electric Funeral]

Originally Posted by Leendrix

A stock Boss SD-1 is graciously amazing!

I had one, and it's the best pedal for under $100 absolutely.

I think I'm going with the Barbershop OD. I've got a few sets of pickups, some pedals and random hardware to sell off before I can afford it though

[IndySouthPaw]

I just stumbled on the Stoned Grasshopper Pedal. This thing is sweet and i think I will get one to replace others.

Wilson Effects Stoned Grasshopper - YouTube

Wilson Effects Stoned Grasshopper - YouTube

[StandingWave]

Originally Posted by IndySouthPaw

I just stumbled on the Stoned Grasshopper Pedal. This thing is sweet and i think I will get one to replace others.

Be sure to check out Kevin's 5-Knob Fuzz (Fuzz Face) and Meat Grinder. I don't remember seeing a demo that does the 5KF justice, but it's very versatile.

[Hector Arcadius]

Originally Posted by IndySouthPaw

I just stumbled on the Stoned Grasshopper Pedal. This thing is sweet and i think I will get one to replace others.
Wilson Effects Stoned Grasshopper - YouTube

Actually the Stoned Grasshoper (ass-kicking name, btw) seems like the perfect pedal to own if you own a Tele / Strat: a boost, a TS-clone and a Fuzz. All your dirt needs are met with this one! Add a wah (if you like), a modulation pedal and a delay and it's a full pedalboard. But if someone confirms that it sounds good with a Les Paul (loaded with medium output pickups) I would be very interested...

[IndySouthPaw]

Great observation Hector. Although I have 2 strats I RARELY play them (it seems stupid but I just don't know how to play them lol). I play with LPs and 335s all with low output PAFs. If this thing sound good with those guitars, this would be even better. Maybe I will email him and get back with you guys.

[rclausen]

I can attest to the awesomeness of the Barbershop. It's very transparent and can give you a little sparkle on your clean channel. I have it stacked with a BBE Greenscreamer and they sound gret together. I really can't recommend the pedal enough. It's very responsive to pick attack and reacts well when using your guitar's volume

[gypsyseven]

Visual Sound: Pedal Shootout #1: Overdrive - YouTube

Visual Sound: Pedal Shootout #1: Overdrive - YouTube

[Electric Funeral]

Originally Posted by IndySouthPaw

I just stumbled on the Stoned Grasshopper Pedal. This thing is sweet and i think I will get one to replace others.
Wilson Effects Stoned Grasshopper - YouTube

The name alone is enough to make me want one.

[Electric Funeral]

Originally Posted by rclausen

I can attest to the awesomeness of the Barbershop. It's very transparent and can give you a little sparkle on your clean channel. I have it stacked with a BBE Greenscreamer and they sound gret together. I really can't recommend the pedal enough. It's very responsive to pick attack and reacts well when using your guitar's volume

I'm pretty sold on the Barbershop. Seems like someone designed it for me. I dig the punched-in lettering and unfinished box too

[axslinger]

Originally Posted by Lowdown

Skip to 1:10 -

TC Electronic Spark - YouTube

It's at the top of my next list.

Mine as well!

[Electric Funeral]

Just ordered the Barbershop thru Electric Mojo

Charles gave me an awesome price too, can't wait to check it out!

[Electric Funeral]

Just out of curiosity to the guys here who use them, what amps/setup are you using them with?

[pontiacfirebird]

its pricey but the empress multi drive is superb its 3 drives in 1, has fuzz od and dist and you can blend all 3 into the signal to create a wide variety of tones it also has 2 channels so you can setup a boosted solo

[kboman]

Originally Posted by Electric Funeral

Just out of curiosity to the guys here who use them, what amps/setup are you using them with?

Hagström Swede through pedals into a Vox AC15C1. There should be several photos of the board in the Pedal board thread here but recently I've been moving things around. I keep the Barbershop last in my OD/Fuzz chain at all times!

[JCM900MkIII]

A bit redundant, since you already ordered a pedal.
But for those still reading and interested in MXR OD's.

The Customshop GT-OD, the Classic OD and the ZW-44 OD are all the same pedals.
If you want one of these, get the cheapest.
You will get 2 pedals rolled into one (classic OD and ZW-44 OD). All you need to do is flick a switch...

I modded mine (GT-OD) with the switch on the outside. Some pics:

The PCB. Pay attention to the markings.


The internal switch (top left):


You want to take special care with the in/out busses. They are metal, going into plastic thread (which is easily damaged)


Replaced the internal switch:


"Final product"