Clean Boost

Boost pedals are not dissimilar to the humble overdrive pedal. They usually contain just an amplification stage, without the clipping diodes you’d expect for an overdrive – so there’s less colouration from the pedal itself. Some include tone-shaping EQS, while others are a one-knob affair. Like overdrives, they’re often used to drive a valve amp into greater distortion.

TG Recommends

WALRUS EMISSARY

The Walrus Emissary is two boosts in one, blended before the output to create a unique voice. The ‘mid’ channel is an op-amp boost centered around 800Hz or 1khz, while the ‘bright’ channel is a JFET boost. The resulting combination is punchy and characterful, with more than enough gain to also push a tube amp into overdrive.

Bestfor Clean, but characterful boost

TC ELECTRONIC SPARK MINI

Though the larger Spark has additional EQ and gain controls, the Spark Mini is elegant in its simplicity. It has a single level control, 20db of boost, and more than enough level to make a tube amp overdrive. As a solo booster after other drives, it’s clean but punchy, while stacked in front of other gain pedals it will generate more saturation without colouring the sound.

Bestfor Set it and forget it simplicity

Also Try

MXR Micro Amp

Simple and effective. The solo booster of choice for players like Billy Corgan.

Z-vex Super Hard On Vexter

Bright, crackly, loads of volume on tap. The SHOV is a stone-cold classic for a reason.

Xotic EP Booster

Based on the preamp of the EP-3 Echoplex, the EP Booster is an ‘always on’ marvel.