The answer to the quest for a 'neutral' or 'transparent' overdrive pedal.

To me, a 'transparent' overdrive pedal is one that does NOT change the basic tone of my rig when turned on. I love this, because when my basic clean tone through the amp is good, I don't want to mess it up with a drive pedal that changes the EQ or the dynamics of my tone. And it seems many people want this, because many pedals are sold with the promise that they are 'transparent'...

I also found that really transparent pedals are very hard to find. Anthing based on a tube screamer circuit will cut lots of bass, for instance. If you find a pedal with good tone controls (like a Vahlbruch Kaluna) you can try to compensate for the difference in tone between pedal and amp with the tone controls.

To me the solution is to have your drive pedal allways on and at low gain. If the pedal changes the sound of your setup you can compensate for this using the EQ on your amp. But the trick is to find a combo of amp and pedal that works well together. Now you can simply play harder or use the volume control on your guitar to go into overdrive. Something like the Lovepedal "Church Of Tone" is designed specificcally to be used that way.

If you don't want to rely on the dynamics of your playing, or if the volume control on your guitar is crap and dulls the sound when turned down, than a boost bedal is also a good way of going from cleanish to dirty. The MC-401 does a marvelous job of this. It does NOT effect your tone and you can dial in anything between 0db to 20db of gain. I find +9db to be just right.

Plainest boost

No coloration at all, just pure volume. Takes both 9V and 18V for more headroom. If you want additional nasty fuzz-overdrive, you can buy MXR MC-402 Boost/Overdrive.

All about dat BOOST!

I love this boost pedal so much! I owned a MXR Micro Amp for a while, but it seemed to color my tone a little too much (too much low end). The MC401 doesn't color my tone at all, but instead, provides a very natural boost that pushes my amp into natural overdrive. The boost is extremely articulate and produces throbbing palm muting and clear chords. If you're in the market for a boost or a buffer, I'd look no further. This pedal is affordable, sturdy, and sounds absolutely amazing!

great clean booster

This is a great, uncoloured booster or line driver. Make use of the 18V option and get all the headroom you could ask for.

My number one boost pedal

One knob, simple design, built like a tank and nothing fancy-schmancy here. It's probably the most transparent boost pedal in the market - there is completely no coloration of tone, retains 100% of amp tone. I use it at a dead end of my chain to get only slight volume bump for some lead parts. It can be powered up to 18v to get even more headroom.

Cannot live without

Since I am also a singer I like to keep my rhythm sound lower in the mix and let the rest of the band carry the melody. This little puppy allows me to jump over everyone when it's time to step away from the mic. All it does is boost. Does not color the tone in any way; which is what I want.

Reliable booster/driver.

I mostly use it after my overdrive to give a little more punch to the overall sound and volume.

From Gear Setup

When I need a Boost/Line Driver I go with this one

I like the CAE/MXR Boost/Line Driver. It makes the sounds I need to Boost come alive. Like my OG Marshall BluesBreaker along with my Boss GE-7.

All you expect from a boost pedal is here

This pedal suitable for giving an extra kick to the overdriven tone. With this one, just kick it on and simply takes you from rhythm/lead tone to solo tone and help you standing out to the front of the mix.

Love it.

I didn´t think I would get to enjoy this one that much, but after using it a few times while playing live I just fell in love with the possibilities it offers. Gives my guitar and other effects a great sound without making way to much noise at a time. I just can´t regret getting it.