RangeBooster

[jetblack69]

Hi all,

some of you may be interested in this "Classic Pedal" I have just ordered one.

www.thevoxac30guide.com//rangebooster.htm


Rangebooster - Based on the Rangemaster germanium treble booster - £125

The others are here too.


www.thevoxac30guide.com//New%20Effects.htm


In fact a really good site if you own a VOX AC30 etc.

www.thevoxac30guide.com//index.htm

Steph,

[garystrat]

Hi Steph,

This is certainly an interesting website for those with an AC30, it seems to tie in with this Pete Thorne demo video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=puisIlr6Jqc

Regards

Gary

[barryjh]

Hi Steph,

I had a VOX Treble Booster around 1965 .. used it with my AC30 Also had a Vox Distortion Booster which was in an identical case but painted red (the Treble Booster was chrome)
Both were battery operated and worked very well with the AC30.

There is a ytube link ..... youtube.com/watch?v=b0mwyqhxRcc

Regards,
Barry

[garystrat]

Hi Barry,

I'm not sure if the Vox Trebel Booster had the germanium transistor looking at the description below:

www.sweetwater.com/insync/vox-treble-booster/

It was interesting that they were designed to directly plug into the guitar socket, this makes sense as Pete Thorne indicates that they need to be the first pedal/device in the chain!

Regards

Gary

[jetblack69]

Production of the original germanium transistors was discontinued in the 1970's in favour of silicon devices. But silicon cannot match germanium for use in these pedals. Selection of the transistors used in the Tonebender circuit is critical for an authentic tone, and a successful build is very hard to achieve. With my new Tonebooster pedal, I have captured the vintage tone that everyone seems to be looking for.

[barryjh]

Hi Gary,

I never gave much thought to how these gadgets worked in them days. I do recall buying the Treble Booster because I had what was being referred to as a "Bassy Vox sound" and, at the same time I bought the matching Distortion Booster due to the move from clean to driven sounds.

No idea what was in the circuits of either but it's interesting to see this gear being debated all these years on. I do remember piggy backing one to the other but it made the top of the amp look a bit like a construction site.

Another device I acquired a just few years ago from Roberto was his ARIAB unit which I think he intended to replicate some of the tone / acoustic character of AR studio 2. but, to be fair I never really worked it out and it's still in the back of the draw somewhere.

Regards
Barry

[garystrat]

Hi Barry,

Back in the day I don’t think people really questioned much of the deeper technicalities, although there were professionals and keen amateurs experimenting there simply weren’t the platforms for in-depth discussions outside the studio environment and professional performers. I also suspect that it was also quite competitive amongst the various studios and a lot of it was regarded privileged information.

But the results achieved really does highlight how people have been trying to find ways of replicating the unique character and usage of that type of equipment, whether or not it will last beyond what one can possible see as a generational thing is not that clear in my view. Whilst there are are some great new players coming along, no doubt this will be phased out by advancing technologies that will simply provide it without the previous skill levels and knowledge required.

I often wonder how accessible things like the Hank echo would have been without things like Charlie’s EFTP in a digital format?

Regards

Gary

[fenderplucker]

Hi Gary,

I think that Charlie's early analysis of the echoes and implementation on some of the available digital delay platforms showed that there was a real difference between just an echo and one that replicated the original drum Meazzi's. A real turning point.

Regards,

Paul.

[garystrat]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply, I'm sure that's right and one shouldn't underestimate all the work that Spike, Gary (Taylor) and yourself put into this, I often use your website as a resource for technical information and settings!

Best regards

Gary

[barryjh]

Hi Gary,

You make some great points. The "fruits" of those early players who experimented will be sucked up into the technology
but for me the work and vision of Charlie etc. remains "monumental" and enabled so much to happen that would o/wise have been lost.
The fully working Binson E2 in my loft is nearly forgotten while my MS's, Q2's and H&CSE are in almost daily use. Even my AC30 sits asleep under its cover.

Cheers,
Barry

[DaveC]

Here's the kit for building a Dallas Range Master boost:
shop.pedalparts.co.uk/product/rminv

It's dead easy to make -- the hard bit is sourcing a suitable germanium transistor.

DaveC.