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Post subject: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:26 am
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If this has been discussed before I apologize but I couldn'the see any prior discussions.Our band gigs fairly often and we play everything from oldies to some blues and classic rock. I have a Shawbucker HSS Strat and a Blacktop Tele which I modded with SD 59 in neck and SD Pearly gates in bridge. ( humbuckers). I will generally play the Strat for the oldies ( and some blues) and the tele for the classic rock. I love both guitars. Problem is there is such a big difference in volume between the two it is a challenge to switch guitars mid set and maintain equal volumes. I usually put my volume on the strat 7-8 to give me some flexibility and the tele ends up at 2-3. This doesn'the always work though due to the different songs. Inevitably the strats not loud enough or the tele not right etc. Obviously the amp can be turned up or down but I use both clean and dirty channels as well as pedals and that just makes it more complicated. Can you make some suggestions? Volume pedals? Let me know what you think.


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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:25 pm
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Would a clean preamp on the Strat work?
Something like a TC Spark is what I'm thinking of.
Boost the Strat levels to those of the Tele, and set just one overall level on the amp.

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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:04 pm
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That could work. As long as the Spark doesn't add any gain / distortion. I would want it as clean as possible as I would be using another pedal to boost solos. I have a Marshall Blues breaker 2 that has a " treble boost" . I normally use it for cleaner solos but maybe it would do same thing? I will give it a try. I will have a look at the spark also. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:17 am
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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:18 am
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I really like the Xotic EP Booster.
I think it would be a great balancing pedal for you.
It's a clean boost with a slight shift in EQ to enhance fullness in the lower registers.

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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:33 pm
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Checked out these links. Some great demos for both pedals. They both sound really good and pretty natural. I kinda like the Tc spark since it has a separate level and gain. Although the mini is so much cheaper! As long as I can get enough dB boost from the mini before it starts to distort that would be an affordable alternative and nice and small for my board. The Xotic is nice too but quite a bit more expensive. Hmm mm....... Lots to ponder! Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 10:18 am
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With single coils typically sounding brighter than humbuckers you will want a booster with some added low end girth ... if you're truly looking for something more closely resembling balance between guitars.
This is exactly why I choose the Xotic.

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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 3:58 pm
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Makes sense. I did find the Xotic a touch " warmer". Just don't want to color the sound toooo much. I play the strat for certain songs that I may want a little "brighter".I hear what you're saying though. I 'll have to play them and get a proper sense of the overall sound I think.


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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 7:26 am
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I'd recommend the Electro-Harmonix LPB (Line Power Booster). As simple as it says; one boost knob and that's it. Make sure to put it first in the signal chain, since you want to increase your volume on the clean signal from the guitar. If you put it last in the chain, it'll boost all effects too. If you put it in the middle somewhere – any crazy sound can happen. It's up to you.
Sturdy as hell. Been around forever. Really cheap too!



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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 11:54 am
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bluesguy996 wrote:
Makes sense. I did find the Xotic a touch " warmer". Just don't want to color the sound toooo much. I play the strat for certain songs that I may want a little "brighter".I hear what you're saying though. I 'll have to play them and get a proper sense of the overall sound I think.

I highly recommend the Visual Sounds, Route 808 overdrive pedal, which can be used without gain as a "boost" with just a hint of added warmth.
I also have the Visual Sounds V2 Clean Boost Pedal, and like the Route 808 overdrive better for plain boost.
These pedals also have a very unique and smoothly operating stomp switch that is superior to all other pedals I've seen.

These Visual Sounds pedals are very reasonably priced pedals (the Route 808 is $114 on Amazon) and have a great sound, particularly the Route 808.



The Route 808 has a bass boost toggle switch which I usually have on.
In the above video, the Visual Sounds Route 808 is compared to a Tube Screamer TS808.

At the 53 second mark, the 808 is sampled with the gain off, the tone and volume knobs at 12 o'clock, and with the bass toggle off.
At the 1:19 mark, the 808 is briefly sampled with the gain off, the tone and volume knobs at 12 o'clock, and with the bass toggle on, before the gain is increased.

I think you might agree with me that in this excellent comparison video, the Visual Sounds Route 808 sounds better than this version of the Tube Screamer TS808 at all gain levels.

Here is another comparison video, apparently produced by Visual Sounds, that appears to be legit.



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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 2:13 pm
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Not knowing what amp your using, have you tried running the Tele through the #2 (-6db) and the Strat through #1 w/ an A/B box at the end of your board and then a pedal board master volume pedal up front.
Just another idea, I only use one drive pedal and an ABY to different amps so my experience is limited.
If you are adding a lot of gain from pedals, this option is probably a moot point.
Also not knowing your pedal board complexity and which pedals you use w/ each guitar, maybe you could split/layout your pedals differently to help.
Perhaps you need to upgrade to a programmable pedal board controller, to solve the issue.
Maybe you should consider a Clapton boost for your Strat.
Sorry for the rambling ideas if they don't help.


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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:11 pm
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Put a clean boost in front of all your pedals and adjust it to normalize levels between guitars. I sometimes use the same 2 guitars and this works for me.

Test it at home first and get it dialed in so you are not fumbling around at the gig.

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Post subject: Re: Stage volume different guitars
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:04 pm
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Thanks for all the great ideas. My amp is a Traynor custom valve and only has one input. I think the clean boost is really all I need and seems the simplest and cheapest. Great videos, they really help. I will get to the local shop and try all these suggestions for boost pedals and decide which is best. Thanks so much!


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