Why Do Guitar Players Like Boost Pedals?

This week, all my Patreon supporters, even at the $1 level, get access to a special bonus boost video, showing you all how much of a difference a good boost makes to my beloved Mesa Dual Rectifier!

On today's video, we ask the immortal question: Why do guitar players like boost pedals???
Whether you're an old school rocker trying to achieve classic rock nirvana at a manageable volume or a metal/djent dude looking for the ultimate chug, finding the perfect boost pedal is an integral part in your quest for tone. In this video, Uncle Ben Eller here is gonna give you a rundown on the history of boost/overdrive pedals, show you how to use them for rhythm and lead in a variety of styles, and show you a handful of my favorite boosts, including the:
Ibanez TS808
Boss SD1
JHS Banzai
Earthquaker Devices Plumes
Digitech Bad Monkey
Pepers Dirty Tree
Walrus Audio Warhorn
and more! All on display through a Marshall JTM Superbass, Marshall JCM800, Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, REVV Generator 100P MKII, Friedman BE100, and EVH 5150 3 EL34! Its a history lesson and feast of tones, all in one video. Enjoy!
Whats YOUR favorite boost pedal?
And what else do guitar players like that you wanna know about? Let me know in the comments!

[BenEller]

Thanks for watching! What’s your favorite boost pedal??? And which amp tone did you like the best?

[hk-]

Uncle Ben progressively stacking amp heads higher and higher is one of the best things I've seen in a long time.

[Guithulhu]

I actually always had monster gain amps and didn't think I needed a boost pedal.... Many years later after YouTube guitar channels took off, I thought "well, everybody is using them" so I tried one.... And instantly thought "I've wasted my life". Even if your amp doesn't "need" it, you dial back the amp gain and use the OD on zero gain and....life changing. Can't live without one now.

[collection_of_misinformation]

My step-dad says boost pedals aren't for real players, good thing I'd rather listen to my uncle

[Cbuzz]

This was great Uncle Ben. I never understood why I couldn't get a good tone using a boost pedal. Turns out, I was doing it wrong. Would you be able to do a similar video on compression pedals?

[nikolavuksan]

You think we can get a "Round and Round" full lesson? Awesome vid Ben!

[zorlacrogue]

Uncle B I watch off and on for probably 7 years but son I got to give you credit that $1 a month patreon was ingenious even if you only have 6, 000 viewers that's $6, 000 a month I love it cherish your friend

[averyhagaman]

Man that Rose of Sharyn riff on the EVH gave me goosebumps! I was a “core-kid” growing up and just very recently got back into Killswitch and have been LOVING their music again

[AlmostLakai]

Boosts are a must in my opinion. But this video really confirmed that a boosted Recto is my favorite metal tone by a long shot 😬

Dig the way you explained the slight tweaks in choices that can make our sounds unique. Definitely agree. Nothing wrong with emulating your favorites but all the options that actually sound good together nowadays is amazing for variety 🙏🏽

[dannyllerenatv]

Some amplifiers also "fall apart" or get overly fizzy if you turn the gain or volume up too high. Tim Pierce made a really good video on boost pedals and overdrives for pushing tube amplifiers. I'm a single coil player, always amazing to have a Klone, Tube screamer, or both on your pedalboard. On some overdrive pedals like a tube screamer or a klon/klone, with the volume cranked and the gain set at 0, yes you are still adding gain to the amplifier(it's a common misconception to say that you're not adding gain when boosting. Volume IS a form of gain, you're just not adding the pedal's own clipping to the signal path. With a Klon style pedal being a hard clipper with the diodes being located far out into the circuit, you don't get any real pedal clipping until you push the gain past noon), the pedal is simply put not adding it's own clipping to the signal rather than just pushing the front end of the amp and adding some of it's EQ curve.

[JJamesmale]

The "don't tell anybody" when referring the the Bad Monkey is absolutely hysterical after what happened with the JHS video

[QwikVidz]

Unky B is the best teacher a student could have. Thank you sir!

[krenzzie]

I love how boost pedals make lower tunings actually audible. Also that Rose Of Sharyn riff holy shit it's so nice.

[robertschererx]

The last statement makes sense! I also thought ‚why should I put a pedal in front of an expensive tube hi gain amp?‘
Well, after some testing, I completely changed my mind and have found the tone I was chasing for 👌🏼

[TheShinyShow]

Was very happy to see the Digitech Bad Monkey, has been my boost for years and I love it.

[MrFrykman]

As always, what a great vid and demo. I can’t tell you HOW MANY SD-1s I sold during the “heyday” of ‘85 to ‘05 when I was working at Gelb Music back in Redwood City, CA. It *literally* was a game-changer. Although we mainly used them as a lead boost for solos, doing everything you demonstrated: Adding a touch more gain, more “vocal” mids, and tightening up (losing) some of the bottom end. Pure Gold. Thanks again for another great video, keep ‘em coming! And make sure to come by and say “hey” anytime you’re in Nashville, as I now work the weekends (Fri, Sat, Mon) at Carter Vintage Guitars… Cheers! 🥃 ~ Erik

[jedimindfrak]

As an OD/Distortion addict, I must say... Great vid brother!!! 🤘🏻😁🤘🏻

[dmont]

Wow! Ravishing Rick Rude in a Uncle Ben impressive!

[wcewce]

Best guitar based channel on YouTube, great advice, humour, awesome playing and easy too watch 🤘🏻

[TinkMcGathy]

That was a cool little conversation man. The pedal in front of a higher gain amp thing was something that I learned. I can totally hear that in a tone I was trying to get.