on board pre amp vs. boost pedal

[Newc]

Warlok- the BMP-1 colors the tone of the pick-up extensively. The lows end up sounding like mush and while the mids and highs are OKAY, they're not enhanced in any sense of the word. Additionally, if you put the BMP-1 with an already high output passive like the Custom, it's gonna be a hot, feedback-laden mess. This is based on amp and effects settings designed around my passive- equipped axes. I've got those dialed in to the exact place I want them and am not likely gonna fuck with those.

The benefit of the pre amp is, in my experience, that it makes various techniques effortless- the guitar's responsiveness is excellent. Harmonics both artificial and natural, are stupid simple to achieve, sustain is increased to near-sustainer level. As a result, whammy-ing is more pronounced. Hammer ons, pull offs both happen with greater ease.

If I had one complaint about the Custom, it's that it loses power on the upper frets. Sustain just isn't there. FOr that, I could see where a preamp/boost would be great to have, but on the whole I have no problems coaxing pinch harmonics from one.
Then again, I count Chris Holmes as an influence, so I know a thing or two about pinch harmonics

[warlok]

I see what you mean now. I read some other peoples reviews after I posted about the BMP-1 and the concensus seems to be that it does color tone and doesn't work well with high output pickups. Good to know..

jdr-94 - did you notice any coloration with the PA2? I've had a PA2 and an AB before but never used either. Interested to hear how you like it.

vector - keep this updated as you move forward if you don't mind. I'd like to hear how it turns out for you..

[DonP]

Check out an LM386. It's a very easy IC to put into and axe, just take a few extra components. No coloration, just a db boost (adjustable).

[Hellbat]

I changed out the EMG-HZ's in my afterburner equipped DKMGT, to a Duncan Full Shred and Pearly Gates and it works great with both pickups. That said I almost never use it, mostly because I don't use that guitar that much though. I do have 2 pedals that I use for clean boost.

For a transparent clean boost, I like this pedal...

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/mc401-boostline-driver

I have used it in front of the amp, but I actually bought it specifically for a clean volume boost to use in the loop for a solo boost. If I wanted to add some tweakability in to the mix, I would look at...

http://www.tcelectronic.com/spark-booster/

It throws gain, volume, and active tone into the equation and the mode switch lets you add further low and mid boosts at it as well.

[jdr94]

jdr-94 - did you notice any coloration with the PA2? I've had a PA2 and an AB before but never used either. Interested to hear how you like .

sorry for the delay. im not gettin all my notifications. i didnt notice any coloration to a point which is why i have it set low. i like it alot and i dont have to worry about switching it on/off cause i leave it on all the time. im not a fan of the ab cause u kinda have to cut it on and adjust in a split second. the pa2 is set it and be done with it. switch on/off as needed(if u mount it)

edit- the short answer is, i always used emgs/blackouts and now i wont buy another active emg/blackout cause to me this gives me the response i love about actives but with the ability to swap pickups and achieve a new "active" tone.

[84sups]

Honestly find a Wylde overdrive or a bad monkey. They seem to just boost and dont color the sound much. I love my bad monkey and probably wont ever sell it.

[Twitch]

Ive got the AB, which is actually the push pull pot version. Check out this thread I made a few years ago. http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/107...t=the+overload

[Twitch]

Heres pics of it seeing how the links in the OP arent correct anymore.

No drilling on your guitar required.