What pedal do you prefer for a pre-preamp boost?

[Sunbane]

I'm trying to decide whether I should go for a HM-2 clone or a TS-808 clone. But I'm interested in hearing other opinions/options as well. Thanks in advance!

[Axewielder]

Do you mind a bit of shittiness in your tone? I play an ASS pedal which can be used as an effective boost. Just dial the stink and sweat down a bit and turn up the squirt. Randy Rhoads had crappy tone and look at all he was able to accomplish, so don't shit on the idea right away.

[markD]

I use an OCD as a boost.

[VitaminG]

I have a CMATMODS Super Signa Drive, which is a TS-style overdrive and a clean boost. So can use one or the other (or both) to taste. I've also just picked up a VFE Merman. It's a Klone if you're into that flavour. I'll use either pedal into a just-breaking-up rhythm channel or my lead channel and both work great

[toejam]

Do you mind a bit of shittiness in your tone? I play an ASS pedal which can be used as an effective boost. Just dial the stink and sweat down a bit and turn up the squirt. Randy Rhoads had crappy tone and look at all he was able to accomplish, so don't shit on the idea right away.

I need one of those!

[Axewielder]

I need one of those!

You know, these kids these days just flip on their Kempers or their Axe FX's or whatever, and have instant awesome tone effortlessly. It wasn't like that in the 70's, 80's, or even the 90's, nobody had good tone back then. You had to compensate for shit tone with actual playing ability. That's why there were so many great players from that era! Did anybody ever complain about Jimmy Page's tone in the 70's? Maybe, but their complaints would have been drowned out by the roar of sold out crowds at Madison Square Gardens. Also would he really give a crap when sporting a dragon suit with a 59 Les Paul? I don't think so. Jay Jay French pretty much sounded like shit, but did that stop him from selling millions of records? I can go on and on, but you get the point.

[Sunbane]

I use an OCD as a boost.

......... Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

[Sunbane]

I have a CMATMODS Super Signa Drive, which is a TS-style overdrive and a clean boost. So can use one or the other (or both) to taste. I've also just picked up a VFE Merman. It's a Klone if you're into that flavour. I'll use either pedal into a just-breaking-up rhythm channel or my lead channel and both work great

Interesting. I'll have to investigate. Thanks!

[Sunbane]

This is some messed up shiet.

[mantis]

I like the TC Electronics Spark Pedal, it's pretty damn organic sounding. It's a beautiful Pedal.

[paulbag]

Do you mind a bit of shittiness in your tone? I play an ASS pedal which can be used as an effective boost. Just dial the stink and sweat down a bit and turn up the squirt. Randy Rhoads had crappy tone and look at all he was able to accomplish, so don't shit on the idea right away.

It'd be sweet if Cliff would model this shit...

[Newc]

......... Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

After reading the spiel on it at fulltone's site, I'd say yeah

[Newc]

It really depends on what you're trying to achieve, and what you're boosting. Are you looking for Master of Puppets or You've Got Another Thing Coming, which are two totally different saturation levels? If you're specifically referencing the HM-2 and 808, a simple boost into a JCM800 won't get you much more than Highway Star. You're going to want to run into an overdriven amp to get up to early 80s Priest, and you're going to want a full-on distortion for Puppets (fuzz, actually).

I've been running a Line6 M13 pedal system into a single-channel JCM800, and it's got quite a few models of various classic pedals, from the old Vox Top Boost to the RAT to the BigMuff PI to the Tube Driver to a Tube Screamer to the BOSS OD and Distortion to the MXR Dist+. If you want cleans out of the amp without rolling back the knob, you need distortion/fuzz for crunch. If you don't intend to use cleans, you'll want OD/Boost and crank the Gain on the amp.

[Sunbane]

It really depends on what you're trying to achieve, and what you're boosting.

Yeah, good point. Well, I'm going into an Orange Dark Terror head and I set the gain at 12-1 o' clock, so I just need enough push take a Duncan Custom from "You've Got Another Thing Coming" to "Cowboys From Hell". I don't use this amp for cleans. So, I'm looking for a clean boost. So far I've been using a cheapo distortion with the distortion rolled off, but it is coloring the sound in an undesirable way, so I'm looking for something else.

The OCD and the TC Spark look really tempting, but both cost quite a bit. If I can find a good budget alternative I'm probably going that route.

[mantis]

Yeah, good point. Well, I'm going into an Orange Dark Terror head and I set the gain at 12-1 o' clock, so I just need enough push take a Duncan Custom from "You've Got Another Thing Coming" to "Cowboys From Hell". I don't use this amp for cleans. So, I'm looking for a clean boost. So far I've been using a cheapo distortion with the distortion rolled off, but it is coloring the sound in an undesirable way, so I'm looking for something else.

The OCD and the TC Spark look really tempting, but both cost quite a bit. If I can find a good budget alternative I'm probably going that route.

They have a mini spark pedal which does almost the same exact thing for less. I heard that little guy is amazing. Well worth the asking full retail price and then some.
Dude hear me out I know money can be tight and buying things like this might hurt a bit up front for your own personal reasons but I suggest spending the money as you'll own it for years or a lifetime. Why give up a few bucks and lose tone when you can have something like this that's pure and clean? It so worth it. If I didn't love mine I would give you a good deal on it but sorry my friend I'll be keeping this one forever unless I find something better.