Hello

Guys I need your help.

How much clean boost do you need from a pedal - how many db 1 or up to 18 or 23 like some pedals.

Gainster 6 db

Pink Baby 18 db

What is more important the amount of DB or the control over how much you feed an amp ?

How much db will cause the amp to just be on the edge of overdrive ?

How much will cause serious overdrive ?

The amps in use are a 1959 Bassman, BF Deluxe and a BF Super.

All comments most welcomed

Regards

Paul B

I'd go with as much possible, you can always dial it back. I have a Sonic Boom, and it's nice. In hindsight I'd have probably gone with something else though.

The question your asking requires that you know how the amp your using, was measured for it's ratings. the DB (Which is NOT a rating of input current) of input gain is going to be related to the amount of millvoltage used to drive the amps pre-amp stage into distortion.
Amps are rated using a reference system that goes something like this.
1Khz sine wave @ X amount( usaully 30-40) of millvoltage into the input, times the amount of output voltage divded by the current used. This is not an exact formula, just a guide to see how easy it is to "adjust" the results by changing one of the measurment factors. Several companies have been known to "juggle" the numbers by simply raiseing the amount of millvoltage on the input to achieve a higher output rating.
When it comes to boosters, most any of them will drive an amp into distortion, so you should have no problems backing one off to reach your desired level of dirt.
The booster with the most gain is the Bennett Music Labs Insane Gain.

The overdriving of the amp will depend on the particular amp. Try at least 23 db I would stay in this range. Beyond this, most amps start to overdrive. If that is what you're looking for, then great, but make sure your not damaging the first tube. Tubes DO have a maximum signal swing. Beyong this, you will have a wonderful burning smell.

"The overdriving of the amp will depend on the particular amp. Try at least 23 db I would stay in this range. Beyond this, most amps start to overdrive. If that is what you're looking for, then great, but make sure your not damaging the first tube. Tubes DO have a maximum signal swing. Beyong this, you will have a wonderful burning smell."

I'm sorry.....I realize that this is a long time between, but I just cannot let this stand. This statement is patently false. You will NOT burn out preamp tubes by running a boost into a tube amp. Btw, there are some common boosters that push 30 db, and at least one that I recall pushes 50 db. Seems like these folks would have an awful lot of pissed off customers if the above statement had merit. You're far more likely to have a preamp tube burn up by having a meteor strike it than by using a boost pedal.