TONE TIPS: Color" Boost is Better than Transparent Boost - Chandler Germanium Drive and Little Devil

[@erikhartley2494]

Just downloaded your IR pack. Amazing and straightforward! Thanks man!

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying it!

[@vadlasletta]

Love the rc booster! It’s a color boost in my mind

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Yeah I get that. I love what it does and it can be really subtle or drive it more for a touch of grit. The EQ is really helpful.

[@liorodriguez7998]

I use the same as a clean boost with a tiny bit of grit and treble at 1:00. Really lifts my tone!

[@albertplaysguitar]

I use an EQ at the end of my drives... and lately I've been digging the Xvive tube squasher in front of my drives. It's considered a transparent boost... I like it. But I also like the TS or a Klone for a more colored flavor. Whatever the situation calls for!

[@plantagenant]

Clean boost for me. I prefer to get the sound I want from the amp ( as much as I can) and use a boost or volume change for leads etc. I don't like the the 'gear change' when you turn on a pedal that imposes its character onto the amps sound. Old school guitarists often used germanium treble boosters to get the non master volume amps to overdrive but they were more often than not , always on, and the volume and overdrive was controlled by the volume control on the guitar....which for some of us is still the best way to do things.

[@antioche6276]

Agreed ! I went away from my EHX lpb-1 to a Boss Blues Driver for grit and sizzle going into [too much of] a dark amp. Works miracles for me :) thanks for the video

[@GearStuffandThings]

It’s gotta add some character! Really enjoyed this

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@MrDavemiley]

I have an RC Booster and a Vertex "Boost: both are perfect at what they do.

[@jackgreenwood1817]

I love the Tony Iommi Boost, great EQ, SUPER loud and has a gain control to add some grit

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Nice, I’m not familiar with that one - I’ll check it out

[@qiuz51]

I think EQ pedals are a bit passed over when it comes to this type of application. You can hit the front end hard but you’re not limited to just one tonal character in terms of frequency.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Very true!

[@cadenbaughman9415]

Love germanium! I sold that ThroBak Overdrive Boost I got from you to snag a Benson Germanium Fuzz. :D

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I really want to check out that Fuzz. I’m sure it’s great!

[@joshbabbitt9243]

Please, @caden baughman, we must know how you like it 😁

[@dr_tomK]

I use the Exotic EP. People say it colors things, but my ears aren't discriminating enough. Recently, I just leave it on all the time, and I use my Boss GE-7 afterwards to boost.

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

The EP is great. It’s color is very subtle for sure

[@linleechiun]

Love my Seymour Duncan pickup booster. Would you review the JHS colour box II?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I’d love to! I had the first version and it was awesome

[@jerrystephenson1172]

Yep,I have a Pigtronics boost pedal & it's a clean boost. Not really what I was looking for. It just gives more volume & I can do that w/my controls, so I don't use it much. Now I know what to look for...thx.

[@dnt7593]

Hello Michael. My overdrive is a BluesBreaker Marshall and I am looking for a boost or OD for lead parts in front of it. Do you recommand any pedal ? Great videos I subscribe

[@MrRafaztar]

I like my super hard on clone boost

[@Tvaroh]

Totally agree. Clean boosts are meh. Really enjoying the sound of the dirty mode boost on Strymon Compadre.

[@jrn9872]

Michael, “The Dane” made by ThorpyFX is a clean boost but with a drive side to it. Have you tried it? Thoughts? Best J-E

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard great things.

[@jrn9872]

@@MichaelWWestbrook the only thing besides being great is that it may produce noise. I changed to a different power supply and it seemed to take it away. One of the other greats besides the clean boost is that it gives you more headroom….

[@jrn9872]

@@MichaelWWestbrook this is the guy with his name to the signature pedal kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PGfZ2BoslqqLs

[@sojerz1044]

Sounds great! Are you using a mic or IRs? Also do you mind sharing the drum software or are those real drums?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Two Notes Captor with my own IR’s. Ez Drummer

[@gr500music6]

Killer intro !

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Thanks!

[@nostro1001]

I think this all depends on the application and sound you're looking for. I often find that germanium sound way overused and just plain boring & frankly anything but unique. Having your own sonic footprint as you said is very important. However, copying somebody else's sound as per your Brian May example is just a sound that isn't unique. I think all too often people look to the pedal first without understanding what a good amp and your tone controls can do. Sure, if you're into 'classic' rock sound then just leave that germanium on most of the time. And sure..pedals are fun and can bring out creativity. Cheers.

[@MrSnakes09]

I bought the Xotic RC booster V2 last year and it can be a clean boost or with the active eq you can make it as colorful as you want AND there’s a second stage gain! What pick ups do you have in your Tele?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

Fralin 5% overwound (I think they call them Blues Specials maybe?)

[@MrSnakes09]

@@MichaelWWestbrook Awesome! Thanks for the response!

[@babesis666]

Hey,is the little devil similar to a treble booster pedals?

[@MichaelWWestbrook]

I’d say the Germanium drive is more similar to a Treble booster. It’s almost like the names should be switched. The LD has more gain/overdrive sounds

[@babesis666]

@@MichaelWWestbrook i was looking for a treble booster,you think the germanium drive, it's a good choice? thanks for the response.....