Solo volume boost???

[diablo175]

I've been toying with my amp set up recently and I've found that my boost setting on the amp just doesn't boost enough. I really don't want to switch amps as I'm happy with the tone and features of this Kustom.

Any suggestions as to how I might bump up the boost a little more? Do I need to forego the amp's boost altogether and go for a pedal? My experience has been that the pedals don't really add enough volume.

Or maybe I should get the other guitarist to roll back on his volume when I launch into a solo. In a live performance, a good soundman (SM) can do this for me but when we're playing smaller venues that don't allow for a SM or while rehearsing, I'm on my own. Ideas?

[veatch]

I would hope the other guitarist has enough class to layback for you already.

Regardless, a good clean boost should do the trick. I'm currently using a Timmy and an Xotic AC+. I have the amp dialed in to be on the edge without the boost, so if i roll back the volume on the guitar or play lighter, it cleans up. If i dig in, i get more dirt. During solos, i kick in the clean boost (usually the Timmy). I have it set for very little gain, just more volume. It is a serious bump in volume (6 or 7db, i would guess), and there is more distortion, but that is more from driving the amp harder, not from the pedal itself.

If i could have only one pedal on a gig, i'd take a tuner. If two, it would be a tuner and the Timmy.

Opinions vary, so trust your own ears. Hope that he'ps.

[bubs_42]

The Timmy added great overtones too. I loved it as well as the Keely Modded TS9 with the Plus mod. I used to use the old DOD Preamp Pedal as weill for the volume boost.

[silentman]

Best boost for me was a Boss EQ in the effects loop. Gives you an increase in volume easily - not more gain.

[Brewmaster]

The Exotic AC boost should do it.

If you want a boost with minimum extra overtones or grit, the RC boost is your ticket.

[diablo175]

Best boost for me was a Boss EQ in the effects loop. Gives you an increase in volume easily - not more gain.

Got an MXR M-108 10 band in the FX loop but I keep it on all the time to shape my tone. But, I could see using that as a boost. Just not seeing how to use it both for EQ and for a boost without losing one or the other...

On that note, I run my EQ thru short(er) cables to the FX loop (pedal on top of amp head) to cut down on the signal degradation that longer cables can bring about. I've read that anything longer than 20' in cable length will knock down the integrity and strength of your signal considerably. Do you locate your looped FX on the floor?

[Morris Davis]

Best boost for me was a Boss EQ in the effects loop. Gives you an increase in volume easily - not more gain.

My understanding is that the way to have a boost that does not alter your sound is a vol pedal thru the effects loop. Effects loop is just the power amp section - this is why the sound from your preamp is not affected (which is unlike the volume knob on your guitar - this will affect your sound, when you roll back you will clean up). Keep the vol pedal at a lower volume when not soloing. Then go to full volume when soloing. When you sound check, make sure your pedal when fully engaged gives you a good solo level.

I had a pedal build for me that does this. I replaced the continuous control of a vol pedal with an on/off button for solos and a dial that determines the vol differential between solo and non-solo sound. I use it at every gig.

[hamerhead]

Sparkle Drive.

[bubs_42]

Sparkle Drive.

I second the Sparkle Drive. I am currently running 2 of them on my board. First one everything is around 12 o'clock then the second is set for less clean and more drive. Great Pedal.

[backinit]

My direct drive has a separate clean boost, but there are so many ways to get there.

[burningyen]

Best boost for me was a Boss EQ in the effects loop. Gives you an increase in volume easily - not more gain.

My understanding is that the way to have a boost that does not alter your sound is a vol pedal thru the effects loop.

This is only true if the power section isn't distorting, otherwise it will alter your tone. Maybe it doesn't alter it enough to bother you.

[harry65]

maxon cp 101 compressor , i run the volume full on and the comp all the way down , still adds a tiny bit of comp but that's great for your solo's anyway , must be at least 20db's of boost.................

[MCChris]

First and foremost you need headroom. If you're doing something like maxing out a lower-wattage amp, a boost will only add compression and will actually cause you to sink lower in the mix. Been there, done that.

[seeker]

For solos, you're basically trying to "cut thru" the mix cause the mix can't change. Number of different ways to get there, but bottom line is you need to be sitting at a frequency range (probably narrow) at a higher volume than your other guitarist.

My suggestion would be to use your 10 band EQ to find out where that is, and go from there. Don't forget to try cutting in addition to boosting.

Edited; What amps are you and your other guitarist using?

[cloakerz]

i have a demeter(sp?) compressor I use for a solo boost. works great and has an adjustable internal pot for gain.

[HamerHokie]

Best boost for me was a Boss EQ in the effects loop. Gives you an increase in volume easily - not more gain.

This is the method that I have heard works best. The trick is to find an EQ that doesn't color the tone or boost the gain on the '0' setting. I tried it with a DoD EQ and it didn't work - it had too much gain.

I figure, though, that there are a lot of boxes with a LEVEL setting that would do the job. Cut the level and engage the box for rhythm, turn the box off for lead.

[Russ]

I have used the boss ge7 in the effects loop with satisfying results. I don't use effects

very often (I kick in some chorus and flange for purple rain, that's it), but, I find / found

the GE7 with the faders set flat works just fine, although that level fader is pretty sensitive,

so be "gentle" as your bumping it up for the volume boost.

[bobbymack]

GE-7 not a bad option if you can find a modded or quiet one.

Best is the Tim set clean...no equal imho.

A great small footprint clean boost / sweetener is the NOC3 Earthtone Boost...cheap too. www.noc3effects.com

[diablo175]

For solos, you're basically trying to "cut thru" the mix cause the mix can't change. Number of different ways to get there, but bottom line is you need to be sitting at a frequency range (probably narrow) at a higher volume than your other guitarist.

My suggestion would be to use your 10 band EQ to find out where that is, and go from there. Don't forget to try cutting in addition to boosting.

Edited; What amps are you and your other guitarist using?

Sorry for the delay in replying...

I'm taking my guitar signal thru a Bad Horsie 2 wah into a Kustom HV 100 THD on a Kustom Double Cross 412A cab, running a Dunlop MXR 10 band eq thru the fx loop. Plenty of head room. Only hitting 3 on the volume. On stage could be different depending on numerous factors- venue size, mic-ed or not, etc.

I have the capacity to bump the volume/gain up on the eq but as the unit is going thru the FX loop (unit is on top of amp head- doesn't reach my floor control and wah placement)

The other guitarist is using an old Fender 4 x 10 DeVille going thru a Boss ME 50 multi-effects for his signal processing.

[zorrow]

I've been using a treble booster for years. I used to use the BBE Freq Booster, until I got my custom treble booster from Boost Switch Pedals UK. Lately I've been also using my Ibanez Weeping Demon wah, with positive gain and the wah set to that "sweet spot" I seem to have found. But at the very end it's just about what the others say: EQ-ing your lead tone in the right position on the frequency spectrum, plus raising the volume a little bit when it's time to solo.

[Hamer95USA]

The Exotic AC boost should do it.

If you want a boost with minimum extra overtones or grit, the RC boost is your ticket.

+1 for either the Xotic AC Booster or RC Booster pedals!! I like to use the RC Booster for a good volume boost.

Guitar George