I Need a Boost (and Maybe EQ) Pedal for Acoustic Guitar

[tinnitus]

I recently started rehearsing acoustic duo stuff (through a PA) with another player and we agree that some simple boost pedals would help us each stand out in the mix for a moment when we take turns playing short lead guitar passages.

I already have that green Zoom thing but I don't much like it. WAY too many preset sounds and awkward adjustments, most of which I don't like. I've wasted more time fussing with settings than actually playing though it

What uncomplicated on/off stomp-boxes do you guys and gals use to simply boost your signal 10% for a few seconds?

An added bonus would be a simple 3-4 band EQ in the same pedal that's always working whether the boost is on or off.

Appreciate any recommendations - thanks!

[RonD]

I think an LR Baggs Venue DI will give you those features (plus a tuner).

[rmp]

TC Electronics Spark Mini will do you nicely for a boost 60 bucks! Done!

and for the "Q" a Boss GE-7, ya don't need much more than that.

The EQ can boost but it's bypassed if used just for Boosting.

if you also want the EQ, then I'd do that, and the spark.

I have one of both they are rock solid and very simple to use and operate.

[guitarman68]

Yes, looks like the BOSS GE7 could be the right thing for you. Before switching to any preamps with in-built boost I used it for a pretty long time and liked it lot.

[Peter Z]

For what you want, I’d recommend the GE7 or a similar box too.

[JWJ915]

I wouldn’t classify it as “simple,” but the Empress ParaEQ is an excellent pedal. Incredible tone sculpting abilities. Another nice EQ pedal is the Wampler EQuator.

[southbeck]

Venue Di. It´s really nice to have everything in one package. A boss Eq and a boost pedal works as well but then you still need a Di box.

[Daniel Grenier]

You might want to consider the TCH Play Acoustic as it can give you all that (plus add many vocal options if you sing). I use the 6 button foot switch to control the boost (on/off) and the other 5 to control phase, chorus, reverb, preset up or down (you can assign buttons to whatever you need). A 3 button foot switch could control your boost and the other 2 to options of your choosing. It’s also got built in bodyrez and eq (which sounds pretty good to me). Worth a look?

[hiddenmickey]

Take a look at the Sunnaudio Stage DI-2 Prestine. It will do what you want, sounds great, flexible, and is really easy to use.

[MikeBmusic]

Radial PZ-Pre will do exactly what you want.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by tinnitus

…Appreciate any recommendations - thanks!

Hi t…

Many preamp pedals include both a mute and boost pedal, and in many cases the boost is adjustable (the amount of boost is adjustable).

Fishman Platinum Pro, Baggs Venue, ToneDexter, ToneBone Radial, and others include a boost function.

Of course, till you get one, if the player soloing leans into it a bit and the one acting as accompanist backs off a bit during soloing, you get the same effect for free.

[tinnitus]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi t…

Many preamp pedals include both a mute and boost pedal, and in many cases the boost is adjustable (the amount of boost is adjustable).

Fishman Platinum Pro, Baggs Venue, ToneDexter, ToneBone Radial, and others include a boost function.

Of course, till you get one, if the player soloing leans into it a bit and the one acting as accompanist backs off a bit during soloing, you get the same effect for free.

Yeah, good point. We're working on what I call "tip-toeing" on rhythm guitar for each other when we swap leads. It's still handy to have just a little extra available (maybe 10-15%), especially for single-note lead riffs that mimic what's already happening in the rhythm guitar chord/arpeggio.

Thus far, I'm not finding a single pedal limited to the two simple functions I want:
- EQ all the time, with or without boost
- and boost on/off

I'll just pay closer attention to my EQ (at the guitar and at the amp) and probably end up getting a simple boost stomp box.

For now.

[SalFromChatham]

Fire Eye Red Eye has real simple tone shaping (one knob) and a boost.

[tinnitus]

Originally Posted by SalFromChatham

Fire Eye Red Eye has real simple tone shaping (one knob) and a boost.

Hey now! I think we're getting somewhere! I think!

Have you played through one of these? https://www.fire-eye.com/red-eye-1
I have a couple questions.

1.) I need the tone (treble) control to work with boost on or off. Does it do both?

2.) Can I use that 1/4" effects loop output for a simple guitar cable output into any old amp (without actually looping), or must I use the XLR output to a mixer or PA? Hoping to have the option.

Too late to call tonight, I'll phone Fire-Eye tomorrow and see what they say. $195 on Amazon.

-------------------------------------------
BTW, something separate I learned today while I was pedal shopping:

Most of those cute new mini pedals (Tube Screamer, chorus, tuner, etc.) are only 1.5" wide, and do NOT have the traditional 9V battery cavity. They all need an external power source (standard pedalboard voltage/plugs). Looks like the Red Eye swings both ways.

[lisciandro]

I think the cheapest solution is to get an used Zoom A3. It's got everything you need and also has a DI output, if you need it.