Rangemaster and Treble Boosters

[James Freeman]

Who is using a Rangemaster or Treble Booster like it's 1965?

 

[la szum]

 

[HomespunEffects]

I have built a couple different versions and they’re fun but that hiss is wild.

 

[PLX]

Catalinbread® Naga Viper clone under construction..

 

[Chocol8]

I have one but I use it relatively rarely. Basically only for humbuckers into a pre-68 Marshall or Bassman circuit. I don’t like it at all with single coils, later Plexi/metal panel amps, and definitely not with anything blackface.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Man I’ll tell you something. My main rig is a Caparison into a Diezel into a Mesa cab, and I have a pedalboard that looks like a fuckin spaceship.

The only pedal that is always on is a Rangemaster clone made for another forum by a company called PLXFX.

That thing just SINGS. It doesn’t matter what guitar/pickups/pedals come after it, that thing just wicks em right up. I love me some Rangemaster clones. It’s straight up always on.

 

[James Freeman]

A big difference I've noticed between the real thing and digital models of the Rangemaster is the real box has much less treble due to input impedance being around 10k, it loads the pickups down and is effectively a high mid boost, it's usable with single coils.

 

[bikescene]

I sometimes use my Naga Viper clone into the normal channels of either my Plexo clone or AC15.

I play a Strat into the Naga Viper/AC15 combo when I want to emulate Rory Gallagher’s early tones.

 

[PLX]

Here's a short clip of my Rangemaster clone into a JCM800

 

[Chocol8]

A big difference I've noticed between the real thing and digital models of the Rangemaster is the real box has much less treble due to input impedance being around 10k, it loads the pickups down and is effectively a high mid boost, it's usable with single coils.

Only if it is before any buffers or other pedals that are engaged.

 

[dronerstone]

I'm using a Sound City (Fryette) Rangemaster as the first thing the guitar sees on my "band board".

Ordered it out of sheer curiosity after seeing one on Josh Homme's board. Didn't know if I was a Rangemaster person or not, ended up pleasantly surprised.

For some reason, these kept flying way under the radar, the first run of 50 was built by R2R Electric. It's unbelievable how good it sounds. "Lively" and "open", yadda yadda...

The range knob helps fine-tuning for whatever guitar I'm plugging in.

I agree about the behaviour of digital RM models. On the Helix Floor, lowering the impedance a bit to shave off treble gets it closer. Still, the real thing is a tad more "unkempt" and "irregular" in response, if that makes sense.

Oh, how I love throwing around random adjectives to describe sonic characteristics.

 

[joebloggs]

I just ordered a Van Diemens Red Ochre Deluxe.

 

[Blix]

Friend of mine has this one coming his way, based on the Diaz Texas Square Face Fuzz and Texas Ranger pedals, looking forward to try it!

 

[dronerstone]

Friend of mine has this one coming his way, based on the Diaz Texas Square Face Fuzz and Texas Ranger pedals, looking forward to try it!

View attachment 48191

View attachment 48192

Damn, that looks sweet.

 

[J.P.]

One of the best driven sounds I got from a 4-input Marshall was with a Fryer Brian May treble booster (the purple one) into the top left input. A bit different, but really a fun sound to play

I think it paired well with that particular amp (1969 Super Lead) though - I'd expect it to be a bit much with an early 70s metal panel.

 

[greatmutah]

I’ve got a Naga Viper clone from PLXFX I like (Bion Boost) but admittedly would like to try another. Maybe the Analogman Beano or some other Germanium style.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I'm a big fan of the Thorpyfx Have Blue. It's a treble booster with a Range pot that sweeps from Bass heavy (counter clockwise) to treble heavy (clockwise).

I've got some parts ready to build a Keeley Java Boost with an Oc44 next week. Looking forward to checking it out vs the Have Blue.

 

[dronerstone]

I'm a big fan of the Thorpyfx Have Blue. It's a treble booster with a Range pot that sweeps from Bass heavy (counter clockwise) to treble heavy (clockwise).

I've got some parts ready to build a Keeley Java Boost with an Oc44 next week. Looking forward to checking it out vs the Have Blue.

That the thing the DAM Red Rooster does. I suppose the knob introduces some further gain when set to full-range?

Tune-able treble boosters rule!

 

[SillyOctpuss]

That the thing the DAM Red Rooster does. I suppose the knob introduces some further gain when set to full-range?

Tune-able treble boosters rule!

DAM makes some wonderful looking and sounding things. His boards are works of art.

 

[dronerstone]

DAM makes some wonderful looking and sounding things. His boards are works of art.

While I tend to find them cork-sniffety expensive, I'll have to agree about that.