Honkers out there, which one da best? Looking for that sweet neck PAF honk out of my '03 LP standard.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shamus,

What kind of amp would you be using it with??

Head

'03 Gibson LP Std. > '67 BFSR

It's a meaty LP so I'm hoping to really be able to open up the neck position... Of course, I love the Beano, Queen, etc tones..

Shamus,

A treble booster works best with amps that are already breaking up a bit. Old Marshalls and Vox amps are best match for treble boosters. Depending on how you run your amp, a treble booster may or may not work for you. If you run your amp clean, and are expecting to get a good sound out of any treble booster, forget it, you'll be highly dissapointed. All you'll get is ALOT of unwanted treble.

If you run your amp slightly broken up, I'd check into the Analogman Beano Boost, or the Keeley Java boost. Both have full range options that may work a little better with a Fender type amp.

Head

With a SR, I'd say forget a treble booster unless you have it on 7 and up all the time. Find a midbooster. Fenders have a big mid-scoop, a midboost will fill in those missing frequencies and grit things up real nice.

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Originally posted by Headshot:
Shamus,

A treble booster works best with amps that are already breaking up a bit. Old Marshalls and Vox amps are best match for treble boosters. Depending on how you run your amp, a treble booster may or may not work for you. If you run your amp clean, and are expecting to get a good sound out of any treble booster, forget it, you'll be highly dissapointed. All you'll get is ALOT of unwanted treble.

If you run your amp slightly broken up, I'd check into the Analogman Beano Boost, or the Keeley Java boost. Both have full range options that may work a little better with a Fender type amp.

Head

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Hmmm... obviously using pedals is a subjective thing, but treble boosters were built to allow you to crank a Marshall non-MV amp to 10. Without a treble boost you get mud over 6 or 7. Even treble boosts that are voiced for "full range boost" are still treble heavy and about as far from transparent as you can get. I use one on my Germino Lead-55 and its the only way I can go past 8 without a mess. When you hear Cream era Clapton or Toni Iommi using rangemasters, they are running them into cranked amps, not "just to breakup".

Richard,

I understand that a treble booster is not a transparent pedal. Yes it can be used to "clear" up the sound of a cranked Marshall type amp. It can also push a semi dirty amp into more overdrive. That's more of what I use it for, because I have no use for my Marshall on 10. Heck, even some of my 18 watt amps on 10 are pretty dang loud!!!

Head

I think a parametric or graphic EQ might do the trick, a la Slash. I'm just finding that my neck Burstbucker Pro, though sounds nice clean, doesn't have clarity with OD's. I have my tone dimed on my neck p'up, and with my OD's it's still a little too "buttery". I want enough bite on the neck so that I can solo with more cut & honk in that position.

FWIW, I have a RS Tonekit (pots & caps) installed. Excellent kit, but not enough to help the neck p'up.

Shamus,

Have you tried messing around with pickup height adjustment?? I had to do some severe adjustments to my new LP to get the neck pickup sounding right. You'd think that Gibson would be able to set up their guitars, but nope, they don't.

Might be worth a shot??

Head

Head,

I'll mess more with the p'up height tonight and see what that turns up...

Thanks for all the suggestions and info folks..

Peace,
Shamus

I don't like telling people that they don't want what they think they want... so I'm just going to answer your original question.

I have a Don Butler Rangemaster that I think is terrific. Switchable from Treble to Full boost modes, and it sounds great with humbuckers, p90s, and telecaster pups. Don is a swell guy and it is a great and affordable pedal, imho.

-- GM

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Originally posted by Headshot:
Richard,

I understand that a treble booster is not a transparent pedal. Yes it can be used to "clear" up the sound of a cranked Marshall type amp. It can also push a semi dirty amp into more overdrive. That's more of what I use it for, because I have no use for my Marshall on 10. Heck, even some of my 18 watt amps on 10 are pretty dang loud!!!

Head

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Its great to find a good use for a pedal outside of its original plan and I assume that if you use a Rangemanster (or clone as I do) you know exactly how much it colors your sound. Personally, I WANT my pedals to color my sound, that's why I buy them. I was just "concerned" that your explanation was a little misleading to someone interested in the "purpose" (whatever that is) of the pedal's design. I wasn't trying to imply you didn't know how it works for you. I absolutely love my Java Boost, but couldn't imagine using it on a cleanish type amp. Finding out that it works for someone else is just further proof how unscientific good tone is...

BTW, my drummer is 6'4" and plays a 24" bass drum / 8" snare and hits like King Kong. My Lead 55 doen't even know there is a setting below 8

Richard,

I also agree that most pedals should have some coloration of your sound. They are called EFFECTS aren't they?

I didn't intentionally try to mis-lead someone about treble boosters, but I can see where the confusion comes in. Treble boosters are actually a hard pedal to describe, and are not for everyone.

Head

I have the AM Beano Boost, the Java Boost and the /13 Dyna Ranger. The Dyna is my favorite for a) tone, b) features (5 shades of boost with varying frequencies, quiet 9v adaptor.