The Hamer of Treble boosters?

[Disturber]

What should I get? A Rangemaster clone that does not break the bank, but could rival this one:

http://www.analogman.com/beano.htm

[Jakeboy]

That's tough...there are so many and they are one of just a few pedals that I really like.

I currently am down to one some boutique maker made me on EBay years ago.....looks homemade but sounds awesome.

CatalinBread offers the Naga Viper which I had for quite a while. It can also do clean boost. T boosters rely on germanium transistors for that sound....but the Cbread guys figured it out and can make the Naga, with silicon, sound just like my germanium t booster.

HBE supposedly sounds good.....if I was gonna plunk down cash for a new one, I'd get the Beano. Just gets rave reviews.....

Mark

[RobB]

Beano Boost: Overall favorite, works well with all my amps.

HBE Gemanium: Close second, "HiFi-LoFi" switch nice feature.

Naga Viper: Versatile, but kind of picky about which amp it likes. Noisy, but not when using as clean boost.

Diaz Texas Ranger. Similar to the Beano, a little ruder and less refined. Great with Marshalls! 9v batt only. Spendy.

JHS Banana Boost. Great as clean (EH LPB-1) or treble boost. Out of production. 9v AC only, no battery operation.

Overall, I'd say you can't go wrong with the Beano, it really is a classic. Either version of the HBE are great, too. If you have a shop nearby with a big pedal selection, bring down yer Marshall combo and try out a bunch.

[django49]

Is the Swart Atomic Boost in the same ballpark? I understand it uses the same key components as the original Rangemaster.

[Disturber]

HBE Gemanium: Close second, "HiFi-LoFi" switch nice feature.

Mid setting with the "midrange honk"!! That is killer. Hi fi fuzz tone also awesome. I need one of these!

[Jakeboy]

My Naga Viper worked well with my Marshall Bluesbreaker and 18 Watt Lil Dawg Pug.....both now gone....Naga too, for that matter.

[gtone]

+1 for the Beano. They aren't particularly cheap, but they are brilliant. Seem very well tuned and work with a lot of different amps. The three-range toggle is quite versatile.

Had an early model Scott Humphrey's/ Crispy Cream Treble Boost a few years back - nice, but not as well dialed-in as the Beano. Owned a SGFX Rock Machine also, which was very cool and sounded good, just not quite as versatile as the Beano.

[gorch]

BSM RM was my choice. Pricey but well working.

In addition I have the BSM RM-Q that's not being used much.

[Montelovesco]

Got a Naga Viper on my board (I think it is Jakeboys). Had a Diaz, did not like it. You might want to try the Lemon Aid (Rockett). Worth a try.

[Disturber]

I got a lead on one of these for 50 bucks., used. Might be worth a try, whadaya guys think?

[Jakeboy]

I still want a Beano......

[RobB]

HBE Gemanium: Close second, "HiFi-LoFi" switch nice feature.

Mid setting with the "midrange honk"!! That is killer. Hi fi fuzz tone also awesome. I need one of these!

Just a quick revisit to the treble booster posts. HBE is no more so it might be wise to seek out some of their pedals before they become “collectable.” The Germania 44, BTW, is also a great option, though it does not have the ‘hi-fi” function of the Germania. It is GREAT through cranked Marshalls.

[Montelovesco]

Got a Keeley Java Boost coming in. Will report.

[Disturber]

This was a good clip. I really like the sound of the Ron Wood Treble Booster here. And he's one of my favourite players, so it's gotta be good then.

[psc3251]

Isn't that Bruce Dickinson- not that one- but the guitarist with 'Little Angels"?

Sure it is- he used to 'wreck' all his LP's by scratching logo's into the tops…...

Amazing live solo's in 'Boneyard'……….top notch guitarist all round…….

[Disturber]

He has got, what we here on the HFC refer to as, "good tone"!

[zorrow]

I'm heavily into treble boosters. I've tried everything, including the Keeley Java Boost, which is highly overrated, IMHO.

I finally decided to order one to my specs from Boost Switch Pedals UK. Their site seems to be down now, so I don't know if they're gone OOB. Anyway, I got two of thos, several years ago. They are perfect to my tastes. I also have a BBE Freq Booster as a backup. This later one is not a very orthodox treble booster, but I do like it. You might want to give it a try too.

Good luck in your endeavor!

[zorrow]

This was a good clip. I really like the sound of the Ron Wood Treble Booster here. And he's one of my favourite players, so it's gotta be good then.

LOVE his tone!

[Montelovesco]

I'm heavily into treble boosters. I've tried everything, including the Keeley Java Boost, which is highly overrated, IMHO.

I finally decided to order one to my specs from Boost Switch Pedals UK. Their site seems to be down now, so I don't know if they're gone OOB. Anyway, I got two of thos, several years ago. They are perfect to my tastes. I also have a BBE Freq Booster as a backup. This later one is not a very orthodox treble booster, but I do like it. You might want to give it a try too.

Good luck in your endeavor!

Got the Java Boost for a week now or so. Beside the fact that a Vox Litl'Nighttrain doesn't need a treble booster (couldn't test him with the Carvin yet) I fully agree with you, Zorrow. The thingy is nice, but it is not the box full of magic as lots of people are saying.

I would like to do a shoot out with my Nagra, but that will have to wait...

[Jakeboy]

I have a line on a good Price for a Monsterpiece Monster Drive treble booster. Anyone ever try one?

I also found a 2004 NOS Diaz Texas Ranger for $150...... Part of me says to just pony up for the Beano....

[RobB]

I also found a 2004 NOS Diaz Texas Ranger for $150...... Part of me says to just pony up for the Beano....

They are nearly identical in what they do. Texas Ranger is a little cruder than the Beano, but you may prefer that, depending on what amp you use. Also, the Diaz does not have an indicator light, if that matters to you.

Overall, the Beano is the one I keep coming back to, along with the HBE Germania.

$150 is a good deal for a NOS TR. I’d get that and see if you even like treble boosters in your amp. You can always sell it and get the Beano or just purchase both.

[Jakeboy]

Treble boosters are one of the few pedals I do dig...

[Jakeboy]

Maybe the TR is the way to go.....a little rudeness is fine by me.....I always crank my TBs to the max anyway....

RobB, does the Diaz clean up as well as the Beano, or at least close to it when rolling off the guit vol?

[RobB]

I can't speak to that as I use treble boosters to boost oververdriven amps into leads. I don't use "clean amps with pedals", but turn down guitar volume to get an acceptable clean tone.

FWIW, this may change if I purchase a Mesa Mk5/25.

[gtone]

I've yet to find a treble booster that didn't clean up well when you roll off the guitar's volume. It's kinda one of their requirements and where they shine - you can put the volume really low and get a jangly clean, roll on a little more and get a punchy crunch and open them up for a cutting lead tone.

[jwhitcomb3]

Is the Swart Atomic Boost in the same ballpark? I understand it uses the same key components as the original Rangemaster.

I have one. I don't really like the overdriven sound it produces in my Swart AST (not a big surprise, as I don't go for distortion much in general), but I quite like it clean or nearly so.