DOD Studio BiFET Preamp 410
The original DOD units had “balanced” XLR output as well as the normal 1/4″ jack and no footswitch. This has been adapted for stompbox use and could work well with acoustic guitar.
Boost
Lovepedal COT50
Here’s one of Lovepedal’s many Electra Distortion variants. It’s a pretty good booster and is the boost section on the Amp Eleven.
T Jauernig Electronics Luxury Drive/Boost
Here’s quick on for your Friday. The Luxury Drive is a simple JFET boost circuit and is the same as the boost section of T Jauernig’s Gristle King. J201s should also work just fine.
ColorSound OverDriver
The OverDriver is a dynamic transparent drive that works great with a tube amp. It’s essentially a massive clean booster that pushes the amp to overdriven tones. Original units from ’69-’70 didn’t have a master volume control, but modern versions do and it’s a good addition to the circuit. (If for some reason you don’t … Read more
MXR Micro Amp
The Micro Amp is a classic clean boost circuit first introduced by MXR in the late 70s. It’s a great option if you need to stomp on something for solos. Pretty simple op-amp design that should fit nicely in a 1590a.
Alembic Stratoblaster
The Stratoblaster was originally built as an onboard preamp that could be mounted on a Strat in place of the normal output jack canoe. The gain was adjusted by a trim pot (so no external knob), but the circuit provided 3-14 dB of clean boost. It’s a great simple circuit and can fit in a … Read more
Earthquaker Devices Speaker Cranker
Here’s a simple one that should fit nicely in a 1590a. EQD’s take on the Electra Distortion circuit. Instead of having a pot coming off the end of the circuit, the volume is controlled by a pot coming off the emitter of the 2N3904. It’s really more of a gain control than volume and if … Read more
Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop Overdrive
This one was a request. Two pots onboard and one offboard. The Barbershop Overdrive is a transparent overdrive/booster with medium gain. It has the expected Volume and Drive controls, but also has a Sag control which alters the voltage the pedal is running at. This can change the color and compression of the tone. UPDATE: … Read more
Zvex SHO – Crackle Okay
The Zvex Super Hard On has become one of the sought after boost pedals today. Derived from the preamp section of a 60s recording console, the SHO uses negative feedback to control the gain (which is what gives it the crackle when adjusting the knob). It’s capable of being a clean boost and adding some … Read more
