Xotic EP-booster

Since before I go the Klon & Skreddy Screwdriver pedals, I had been wondering what I’d use as a lead boost. The Xotic EP-Boost caught my eye for a couple reasons. Apparently it sounds fantastic, Small footprint (its about half the width of your regular Boss effect), and I love when pedals have the power plug on the top (instead of on the sides), it makes placement on the board much easier. – and for the time being, I think i’m set. This pedal configuration is wicked.

So i’ve had my eye out for one of these pedals around Toronto for a while now, but for some reason they’re hard to come by. The only way I could have gotten one, is ordering from the US, or from an eBay store. LUCKILY Lauzon’s Music had one in stock (last one – yesssss! score!). So I picked it up. Can’t wait to get it on the board.

So here is how i’m going to set things up:

Turbo Tuner > Fulltone MDV-2 > Skreddy Screwdriver > Klon Centaur > Empress SuperDelay > Xotic EP-Booster > Divided by 13 JRT 9/15

I’m using the Klon as a mild overdrive to give my amp a bit more of a kick. I’m running my Divided by 13 JRT 9/15 pretty hot, using a Weber Micro Mass attenuator so its already cookin’ – the Klon just gives it a bit more oomph. The Skreddy is giving me over the top fuzz/drive tones – big fat loud and raunchy.

I’m lovin’ this setup, can’t wait to get the Xotic on my board! Zing!!

The Klon pedal arrived today! Yay! So stoked to try this thing out – I hope it was worth all the hype!

In other news, I picked up a Skreddy Screwdriver pedal last night as well. Haven’t played with it for more than an hour, but its certainly going to be a staple on my board. What an amazing pedal. Very Fat sounding. I’ll post some photos, and a review as soon as I get a chance!

This is what it looks like, its a pretty large pedal, and has a very distinct design – and from what i’ve read/heard from sound samples – its got a very distinct sound.

Most people classify it as a low gain overdrive, or a boost, boosting its known for having a really great sweet spot of boost and mid hump good for pushing a cranked tube amp into a really nice overdriven tone.

My rig has changed quite a bit lately – up until recently I had been playing through a Dr Z Z28 6V6 type amp. However, I was itching to have that Voxy EL84 tone back (I missed it dearly). I was on the prowl for something that would do what I wanted – when the perfect amp came up on my local Craigslist. A Divided by 13 JRT 9/15. This amp is TOP QUALITY boutique built, and also, I just found out that it’s loaded with some very nice NOS tubes.

I’ll be updating with some more photos of the Divided by 13 amp soon!

First off, the first thing I usually do with pedals, is compare them to ones I already have, just so i have an idea of what sounds it most mimmics… I could look up the specs, and the circuit design, and probably figure it out, but its better to do it with the ears.

First thing I noticed, at low gain levels, it sounds VERY much like my Gaspedals CARB that I got last month when I was in Texas for SXSW – BUT – it sounds like the CARB, when the CARB is turned up to half gain, I had the Mule at about 8o clock (barely on).

This surprised me – as I didn’t expect it, i’m used to fuzzes being too harsh sounding (which is why i’ve stayed away from them).

So then, I started comparing it to my Cusack Screamer Fuzz (the only fuzz pedal on my board). I was shocked at how good it sounded. It actually made me HATE the screamer fuzz to the point where I removed it, and replaced it with the mule.

Well, anyway.. after playing around with it for a bit, I noticed the Mule sounds really good stacked with my HotCake and even the Carb… they both add a bit more mid drive, which is nice at times… The Mule also doesn’t freak out when i’ve got the Tone Press on (something i’ve noticed about Fuzz pedals, is that they don’t usually play nice with compression pedals).

Either way, in all, i’m very happy with the Mule, I can see it staying on my board for a while.