Carl Martin Boost Kick

[jdurso]

Anyone used one? I was thinking of getting a boost or treble boost to use in conjuction with my OCD and I've heard good things about this pedal.

 

[Chris McKinley]

I haven't got to mess with this exact unit, but I do have a relevant question. Where are the three EQ frequencies set? If this thing is designed specifically for soloing, what is the purpose of the bass boost? Also, I'm not clear on whether or not it provides any drive or if it is otherwise a 12dB clean boost. Carl Martin produces high quality stuff, so I'm sure it's likely made well. It could be a very nice unit, especially for live situations.

If you already have an OCD, though, then it's not likely you're needing a lot of boost, per se, but rather a different EQ curve and some increased harmonic content for soloing. In that regard, a good treble booster would likely fit the bill a little more precisely. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[jdurso]

I haven't got to mess with this exact unit, but I do have a relevant question. Where are the three EQ frequencies set? If this thing is designed specifically for soloing, what is the purpose of the bass boost? Also, I'm not clear on whether or not it provides any drive or if it is otherwise a 12dB clean boost. Carl Martin produces high quality stuff, so I'm sure it's likely made well. It could be a very nice unit, especially for live situations.

If you already have an OCD, though, then it's not likely you're needing a lot of boost, per se, but rather a different EQ curve and some increased harmonic content for soloing. In that regard, a good treble booster would likely fit the bill a little more precisely. Let us know what you decide to do.

I was hoping you would respond. Your questions about the unit are exactly the questiosn that were going through my mind. i've heard of people getting exellent results with a clean boost in front of an OD pedal then into a mid gain setting on an amp. I am no "solo" player but do play lead like lines a lot that i want to pop (think Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Billy Howerdel type stuff).

I have been looking at Treble Boosters as well but havent really had a chnace to go out and play a any. I hear great things about the Beano and the java Boost but they carry some hefty price tags. I saw this Boost Kick local for stupid cheap and wanted to get some feedback but I haven't really found any (one guy claims it sounded better in the loop of his amp than in front which i'm not sure i believe). i think i may just pick it up to see what i can do with it (hey maybe it does work nicely in the fx loop), because for the price this guy is selling it for, its stupid cheap.

I've also heard/read a good combination is to go Treble Boost>OD>Boost into a clean channel to get some very good lead lines. I'm wondeirng if i pick up this Carl Martin for cheap and get a decent treble booster, how things would sound in front of my clean channel. Honestly I'm new at this whole pedal thing (never understood what they were used for if you already had a high gain amp), but I'm slowly starting to "get it"... i think :?

 

[lyman]

i've heard of people getting exellent results with a clean boost in front of an OD pedal then into a mid gain setting on an amp.

.....

I've also heard/read a good combination is to go Treble Boost>OD>Boost into a clean channel to get some very good lead lines. I'm wondeirng if i pick up this Carl Martin for cheap and get a decent treble booster, how things would sound in front of my clean channel. Honestly I'm new at this whole pedal thing (never understood what they were used for if you already had a high gain amp), but I'm slowly starting to "get it"... i think :?

I use a clean boost in front of an overdrive pedal sometimes. Well, technically it's one pedal - the Diamond J Drive - but it's a 2-in-1 with a clean boost stage before the overdrive stage. Same idea though. When I'm in the clean channel of my amp, I usually just boost with the od side of the pedal but sometimes I kick both on. It does get a little more compressed and a little more gritty. When I'm in the crunch channel I usually stick with the clean boost for a solo boost as od-->distorted amp doesn't have the same punch. The J Drive I have is one of the older versions, and it's good if you like a little mids in you od.

You're right that you can mess around with gain stages and get a ton of variety out of a nice clean channel amp.

I haven't used a treble booster though. I know Brian May was all about them, going into the normal channel of ac30's.

 

[jdurso]

I use a clean boost in front of an overdrive pedal sometimes. Well, technically it's one pedal - the Diamond J Drive - but it's a 2-in-1 with a clean boost stage before the overdrive stage. Same idea though. When I'm in the clean channel of my amp, I usually just boost with the od side of the pedal but sometimes I kick both on. It does get a little more compressed and a little more gritty. When I'm in the crunch channel I usually stick with the clean boost for a solo boost as od-->distorted amp doesn't have the same punch. The J Drive I have is one of the older versions, and it's good if you like a little mids in you od.

You're right that you can mess around with gain stages and get a ton of variety out of a nice clean channel amp.

I haven't used a treble booster though. I know Brian May was all about them, going into the normal channel of ac30's.

Interesting... The great thing for me is having the RJM RG-16 because if i were to get a clean boost and a treble boost i can throw each in its own loop and program what configuration i want for each channel. I sold off a couple more pieces of gear that were just sitting around and i feel like the money is burning a hole in my paypal account. I would liek to however pick these pedals up used this way if i dont dig it I'm not losing out on the resale value or find them at a shop that has a good return policy.

 

[Chris McKinley]

BTW, jdurso,

I should mention that the treble booster circuit is a relatively simple one to put together yourself if you are so inclined and if the retail prices are too steep. Now I'm kinda curious about the possibility of using that Carl Martin Boost Kick as an on-all-the-time boost for rhythms with a treble booster in front of that and switched on only during leads. It might make a heckuva combo actually, especially since the Boost Kick would let you tailor the tone.

 

[Boz]

I just tried a Carl Martin boost kick in the loop of my Dual rec as a tone shaper,sounds very good,very thick!

i was using a GE-7 but thought i'd try the boost kick and i'm glad i did!!