Red Rooster: Initial Impressions
Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2009 6:59 am
So, my Red Rooster arrived today (thanks RC2!), and I've had a chance to test it through a variety of gear so far: '62 Historic SG-->Red Rooster-->Marshall 1974X (at work). Navigator N-LP-380 "Les Paul" / Cole Clark Mistress-->Rooster-->Vox AC4TV (1/4 and 1 watt modes) at home, and also on my board with a variety of pedals, before the ones that are buffered (TU-2, NS-2). Now, both the Marshall and AC4TV are relatively dark, so I felt the treble boosting effect would be best here. Interestingly, it wasn't as bright as I recall on the Rooster I initially tested (same transistor). A KILLER boost, but not as bright as I'd like. So, I was just about done for the night (2:00 am now!), and I did one last test after the buffered pedals. Whoa! Plenty bright fully counterclockwise, and super fat and a bit fuzzy all the way clockwise...and balanced in the middle. Any thoughts on this? I've had my fair share of boutique clean boosters and overdrives, (Klon, original Way Huge, you name it), and I'm just not sure what to make of the pre/post buffer interaction on the Rooster. (I also have a Beano Boost and Cornish Treble Boost on the way for comparison.) Any thoughs? Thanks!