Box recommendations for acoustic lead playing?

[Cygnus49]

I've been searching some threads but nothing jumps out on this. What would any of you recommend I try when I want to kick in a little edge/volume when playing a lead on my Taylor?

[biggs2]

I'm not sure what exactly you mean by "kick in a little edge". But if you want to add a bit of color to your sound and truly need a loud amp (playing with other instruments), you may want to check out a SWR California Blonde II. The amp has a ton of headroom and a Low Z balanced input designed for the Taylor ES system. However, I will caution you that at 51 lbs, this is not a lightweight amp.

If you want an amp that "makes your guitar sound like your guitar but louder" many will say that the SWR is not your answer. Although there are probably more transparent acoustic amps out there (Ultrasound, AER, Schertler, etc.) The SWR provides extensive EQ capability, including full control of the tweeter and your sound can be made to sound transparent, heavily colored or just about anywhere inbetween. Good luck in your search and try as many "boxes" as you can. The hunt is half the fun.

P.S. Below is a clip of Monte Montgomery who uses an SWR California Blonde (acutally 2 of them) and this may give you an idea as to their sound in a band situation. Take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ-pM78WBGc

[Health Freak]

If you're looking for basically a stomp box that you can hit for a clean volume boost, try this from Robert Keeley:

http://www.robertkeeley.com/product.php?id=34

[Herb Hunter]

This new box might be just what you're looking for. I think it hits the market next month.

http://www.lrbaggs.com/news/images/news_venueFull.png

[southpaw pete]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

This new box might be just what you're looking for. I think it hits the market next month.

http://www.lrbaggs.com/news/images/news_venueFull.png

Cool!

[Cygnus49]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I always realize the limitations of (my) writing skills when not everyone catches my intent - I was looking for a stomp-type box recommendation.

I had seen Keeley's discussed in other threads but wasn't sure of the fit since this is for acoustic playing primarily (finger-picking with some strum/palm-mute characteristics) with the need to crank a lead out for a chorus or two. By 'edge' I mean some distortion overdrive grit but only as an added accent. I am not a purist for sound when playing amplified (I use a Fishman UST on the Taylor).

[biggs2]

Sorry Michael! Guess I had amps on the brain at the time I responded. I wasn't thinking pedals or stomp boxes.

[Cygnus49]

Usually I wind up playing through whatever house PA is available and don't use an amp. I have been using the HarmonyG and find its guitar treatment pretty useful (detune/doubling and reverb/echo fx) but that seems to preclude feeding it a supercharged signal. I've asked the TC Helicon support group to advise on that. The guitar input knob on those isn't 'performance accessible' to allow kicking up the volume on leads. They do provide a 'guitar thru' to run to an accessory or board (as opposed to combining the guitar signal to the main XLR out with the vocal) but that negates any of their effects for the guitar.

[Health Freak]

I think that maybe the TC Electronic Nova System would be a worthwhile investment for what you're describing. All the EQ, boost, and grit you need now, plus all the effects you might want to try later. It's a bit pricey, but not for what it does and the quality with which it does it.

[Jakespenart]

Originally Posted by Herb Hunter

This new box might be just what you're looking for. I think it hits the market next month.

http://www.lrbaggs.com/news/images/news_venueFull.png

another link with better pictures

http://www.guitargearheads.com/modul...hp?storyid=623

[Cygnus49]

Thanks J for the link. Seems a real necessary device rather than depend on the venue (OK seedy bar) for your sound. At 2x the price of a Keeley though it will take some thought. I was 'almost' OK with just being able to hear myself when playing leads - house monitoring being what it is sometimes. I've never been happy being told (as I was last night) that the audience could hear me fine when I wasn't sure that was really a bargain.

[Kabookie]

(From the Cesar Diaz musical products website)....."Based on the DALLAS RANGEMASTER treble booster, as used by Clapton in the Bluesbreakers, Rory Gallagher, Brian May and Tony Iommi. This booster adds treble and gain, and Cesar has added a HI/MID/LO switch to choose an EQ setting which the original pedal did not have. This pedal has "Absolute Bypass".™

Sometimes you need to change the lineup. I'd been hooking up my JangleBox to the AC-15 TBR (with a Weber Blue Dog 12) of late. Decided to bring out my Cesar Diaz Texas Ranger Treble Boost and insert it into the lineup. Whew, I'd forgotten how it worked seamlessly with my tube amps. I dig the tonal range it achieves by adjusting the chicken-head volume and tone control knobs. It gives me just the right amount of treble/gain boost when plugging into even my Rivera Sedona. I guess you can say it adds an edge to the overall tonal palette. In case you don't know about Cesar, he worked with SRV, Dylan, Clapton, and Neil, among others and earned the monicker, "The Amp Doctor." Read more about the late, great Cesar Diaz here:

http://www.diazmusicalproducts.com/history.htm

Peace, out.....Goofyfoot

[phuufme]

Try just about any EQ pedal. You can stomp and get additional volume AND "edge" your tone. I have a Behringer ($25 new), but if you have the $75 - $100 more I would go for the Dunlop MXR 10.