Micro Amp or LPB1?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:16 am

The switch on my Haze made SHO clone is busted (loose connection somewhere, sometimes it works - sometimes not) and I need to get a boost pedal sharpish as I need it for band practice on wednesday. Just wondering what if I should get and LPB1 as they're dirt cheap or if it would be better to get a Micro Amp. This is particularly annoying as I just sold a boost pedal the other week. Any other cheap suggestions would be good too.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:35 am

I love the LPB-1, I sold my SHO and kept this instead. Quite a lot of gain for a boost, adds warmth and colour, which some would not like.

Can't go wrong for the money...

I've used the micro amp but not enough to comment.

George · Post by **George** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:41 am

Just got a Saltbooster from Mike which I believe is based on the LPB-1. It's certainly not transparent but I like the warmth it adds. When you're overdriving amps/pedals you don't want it too shrill or clangy anyway.

Never tried the SHO or micro amp though.

Post by **Mike** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:41 am

Yeah, the Saltbooster is not meant to be transparent, it's meant to just sound good.

No experience with the MicroAmp, but the LPB-1 to my ears is too woolly, bassy and undefined. I really don't like the stock ones EHX makes.
Great canvas though for modifications.

This begs the question - didn't you just sell your Fredric Effects Wolf Puppet Boost? Will the madness never cease?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:52 am

Mike wrote:This begs the question - didn't you just sell your Fredric Effects Wolf Puppet Boost? Will the madness never cease?

Yep, as stated in my original post. Thought I didn't need it as I wasn't expecting problems with the SHO. I'm going to have a look inside tonight to see if I can spot a loose connection, if so and it looks simple I may try and fix it - but going by previous attempts I don't hold out much hope for success. The thing is if I have to pay someone to fix it it'll probably cost nearly as much as an LPB1 costs new.

I would go for a Saltbooster (or Plus) as I have one built into a true bypass looper and it sounds great, however I need to get one quickly and know Mike always has a long pedal making list.

Post by **Mike** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:54 am

Surely Haze will offer to fix it for free?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:12 am

I'm sure he would but that would involve posting to the US and back, I doubt he'll be able to return by wednesday.

I suppose I could work out an alternative solution using a drive pedal with the gain turned down in the meantime if I can't fix it myself.

Post by **Mike** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:39 am

I'm sure you can get by without a boost pedal until yours is fixed. Consider it a challenge.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:39 am

Crazy days. Mark, pop over to mine and I'll fix it for a couple of bottles of ale and a few quid for the switch.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:43 am

Thanks Tim. Are you about tonight/tomorrow? I actually have a switch from a failed attempt to build a true bypass looper that I can supply, but no probs on rewarding you with some ales.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:45 am

Yep, PM'd.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon May 16, 2011 3:31 pm

Mike wrote:Yeah, the Saltbooster is not meant to be transparent, it's meant to just sound good.

Out of curiosity, was this always the case? I thought my Saltbooster was an LPB-1 clone and that there were no changes to the circuit. It was the ninth one built. Was the design changed after this or did I just miss something when I was buying it?

Not that I think I was missold it or anything, it still sounds awesome and I'm a bit dull when it comes to this sort of thing.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Mon May 16, 2011 4:06 pm

I'd be more than happy to fix it for you, but it won't make it across the world and back that soon. If Tim is offering to fix it and that works out best for you please at least allow me cover the work and costs. If you can make do ship it my way and I will fix it up for you and have it back your way.
I'm sorry this happened at a bad time mate.

In a pinch the micro amp is a really powerful boost. Not muffled like the lpb but not as bright as the sho.

S. Thompson · Post by **S. Thompson** » Mon May 16, 2011 6:02 pm

Big fan of the micro-amp. I feel like it adds a little crisp high-end to the signal.

Also love driving distortion/fuzz into deadly territory with it.

- Steve

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon May 16, 2011 7:49 pm

Haze wrote:I'd be more than happy to fix it for you, but it won't make it across the world and back that soon. If Tim is offering to fix it and that works out best for you please at least allow me cover the work and costs. If you can make do ship it my way and I will fix it up for you and have it back your way.
I'm sorry this happened at a bad time mate.

In a pinch the micro amp is a really powerful boost. Not muffled like the lpb but not as bright as the sho.

No worries Haze, thanks for the offer. I took it round to Tim's, he had a look at it and couldn't find anything wrong. The most probable cause was that the circuit board had come loose and may have been knocking against the pedal casing. I quick fix with a bit of sticky stuff solved the problem. If I have any more problems i'll let you know, but i'm sure all will be ok.

Post by **Mike** » Tue May 17, 2011 7:26 am

BacchusPaul wrote:
Mike wrote:Yeah, the Saltbooster is not meant to be transparent, it's meant to just sound good.
Out of curiosity, was this always the case? I thought my Saltbooster was an LPB-1 clone and that there were no changes to the circuit. It was the ninth one built. Was the design changed after this or did I just miss something when I was buying it?

Not that I think I was missold it or anything, it still sounds awesome and I'm a bit dull when it comes to this sort of thing.

Yup, it's never been identical to the LPB-1.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue May 17, 2011 10:26 am

Fangs for the beer Mark! I shared it with Stacey cos it's a school night.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue May 17, 2011 6:30 pm

That's very gentlemanly of you Tim, hope you enjoyed it.