The best treble boost on the planet!
(Photo from one of our customers in China, thanks Eric Liang )
* Modern Dallas Rangemaster Circuit, check out www.javaboost.com for more detailed information
* 3 way switched treble-booster, Stock Vintage Rangemaster(center), Mid-boost(to the Right), and Full Range(to the Left)
* The switch is a very expensive locking 3 way switch so your setting is not moved.
* Metal film parts for low noise.
* BEST PART, The ULTRA RARE MULLARD OC44 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the transistor used in the mid 60's and only the best survive our critical testing. Low leakage of 150uA or less and Hfe of 80-110 are minimum requirements for the transistor to be used in our circuit.
*The CV7003 might have a little bit more overdrive and be a bit quieter. These are very hard to measure or give you anything more than these general statements. They are in fact the exact same transistor. Units that tested better were marked as CV7003, the mil spec number. Since each transistor has it's own sound, each unit will have a slightly different tone.
* Second best part, DC jack and Negative ground system so it will work with your other supplies and effects and no smoking! BATTERY power is really the best way to power this device. Because of its simple nature, ANY POWER SUPPLY WILL CAUSE NOISE. We have designed in measures to reduce this noise, but it will still appear even with the best supplies. Batteries will last 48 hours of continous use in this unit.
(I LIKE this analogy I came up with this morning...a 65 Vette had higher compression needing a specific power source... High Octane gas to deal with the compression ratio... Well... this Vintage gear (came out around '65) has a special power source requirement BATTERIES, not modern DC supplies. Yes, the Vetter will move down the road on 85-87 octane gas, but you'll hear some noise...KNOCK AND PING! Just like with a DC supply with the Java Boost, you'll hear noise!)
* Keeley Blue LED.
* Each unit is perfectly dialed in...internal potentiometers let us fine tune each of the tested and passed OC44's for optimum operation.
* Tone Control!!! Yes ours has a second way to control the frequencies of the boost made, plus the Standard Level Control.
* True-Bypass, Switchcraft jacks.
* Powder Coated case just like the Keeley Compressor
* Stamped serial number.
* THE Benchmark for all other Dallas Rangemaster pedals.
Here is a great review of the Java Boost below, but first let's review the basic setup. Some people don't have experience with treble boosters. This can make using the Java Boost difficult if you try to use it with a huge power amp that has tons of headroom or doesn't distort easily. The trick to get the Java Boost to outperform any other pedal is to have the right amp settings. The amp should be on the verge of breakup or greater. This is where the wealth of tone will is possible. So what if your amp is set to super clean?!?! No problem, I've found that I love the Java Boost in front of most other overdrive pedals! Yes, simply use the Java in front of your blues driver, TS, DS, BD, SD, FF type pedal and you get similar results when the standard overdrive pedal is on. The Java is not an overdrive pedal by itself it has to work in conjunction with something else.
On with the review already!!!!!!!!
"The new Keeley Java Boost is another entry in the treble boost explosion,which of late has made available an (over?) abundance of recreations of the original types of boosts..After trying and evaluating over a dozen boutique clones, it's apparent that the seemingly simple circuit can have lots of variation in tone and EQ..The most important element is the sound of the original mullard transistors.In most cases, the OC44 ( some other OC types are nice too) is the key ingredient..The character of each transistor will be imparted on each pedal made..So there is no exact repeatability in the gain and tone, tho each pedal will still have the essential gain and tone character..Also there are the purist clones, which have no volume or tone controls, and are essentially either on or off. In fact a couple have no on/off switch and are always active in line..I prefer at least the on off switch.. Also the gain(volume pot) is a good addition( even if most of them have a sweet spot around 1 or 2 oclock that brings out the magic). A certain amount of gain is needed to get the proper tone and harmonic structure happening. Also these pedals are great when ganged with a second similar pedal or even an old style fuzz face..The Keeley Java Boost is perhaps the most feature laden of the bunch, and is a nice combination of the original sound with added modern features..Purists will argue that only the original construction( no tone and EQ controls, and old style resistors and caps) will duplicate the sound.. However there are many players who will not agree with that statement, and will use the other EQ modes available in the Java, and use the tone control also.. This is due to the huge variety of amps and guitars being used today.The Keeley is an incredibly well constructed and thought out pedal. Even people with the simpler one knob boosters will like the extra capabilities in the Java..First off, the sound of the original is preserved well enough to satisfy most every player, and the added features put it in it's own class..In A/B'ing the Java with a few other more straight ahead clones, the essential tones are very similar in all the clones using the OC44. The Java has a little more definition around the notes while the others may have slightly wider harmonic layer.. the differences are not great tho..The advantages of the Java are the 2 extra usable EQ settings, and the tone control.. With the EQ in the vintage position, and the tone control near max, the original sound is there.Also the Java has more user adjustable settings on the immaculately laid out board..The transistor and two caps are socket mounted for rapid changing and tweaking ( each transistor will sound a little different). There are two trim pots for adjustment only for the more technical users..most players should not mess with these. Also the instructions with the Java are very well done, with technical and practical information..The purist types could disconnect the tone control and the LED if desired. All in all, this pedal is worth the bucks,and a prime example of upping the ante in classic design and construction, while preserving the sound of the original. Try this pedal with a neck pickup for lead work, and hear the extra organic nature to the overtones that no IC chip or TS clone can touch.."
Thanks to Fred's Guitars in So. Cal.
Here is how one Customer uses it:
"You're not gonna have to worry about the Java Boost coming back... It's taken me all of 15 minutes to figure out that it's a keeper!
Running the Java in full boost mode with the Tone full clockwise (full treble mode) by itself into my Pharaoh Class A Boost and then into the Ghia is unbelievable... nice, crunchy and overdriven... with a little bit of spit and sizzle from the Ge transistor that I really like. Very responsive to guitar controls and picking dynamics. I am tending to like it with my guitar (PRS Custom 22) volume about 8-9 o'clock for rhythym, and wide open on 10 for nice smooth, naturally sustaining lead tones. Interacts very well with my amps natural tone... especially on full range boost. Mid/Treb boost and just standard Treble boost yield some great sounds too, but I like that with the full range boost the treble boost sound is still completely in tact on the higher strings/frets, but a nice girth and wool is added to the low end if I want it too.
So that's just Custom 22-->java boost-->class A boost (on all the time)---> Dr. Z Carmen Ghia Head --->1x12 Dr. Z cab
That was my first test. Next I added my Everman Fuzz Drive into the mix between the Java Boost and the Class A Boost... Slamming the Everman with the Java is UNBELIEVABLE. Huge crunch, sustaining searing ballsy leads, and even with all that extra mojo running into the front end of my amp, it still cleans up and responds very well to guitar controls and picking dynamics. There's a good amount of overdrive with a bit of fuzzy harmonic overtones with the guitar volume knob rolled back, and HUGE sustaining RIP for leads with the volume wide open.
The Java Boost is the missing link that I've been searching for. I knew exactly what I wanted from the addition of this pedal and this is it. It gives me all the overdrive/fuzz tones I need with either the Fuzz Drive, the Java, or the combo of the two running at once. Thank you Larry, and thank you Robert. I'm very happy. I cannot WAIT to go to the next band practice and the next gig."
---Troubleshooting and Tips---
Since Keeley Electronics wants to be leader in customer service I will put some thoughts here that I've found come up.
Thin Sound, doesn't sound like the audio clips.
--> Connect the Java Boost to an amp that is already distorting or to an effect pedal that is an overdrive/distortion. The Java Boost was not designed to run into a perfectly clean amp with lots of headroom. It was designed to get more distortion out of a vintage amp that is already distorting. It is a treble boost, so yes, it will sound thin if you play at really low volumes on a clean amp.
White Noise Hiss with Voodoo Labs Supply.
--> The Java Boost is best suited for use with batteries. Power supplies are not all made equal and just because they supply 9 volts doesn't mean the "look" the same to an effect or the audio passing through them. The internal resistance of a battery is much different than a supply. This circuit will perform much better and more noise free with a battery. You can run the battery for 24 hours before there is even the beginning of any voltage drop that might reduce gain. Chances are 48 hours of the unit on and running will require you to check the battery.
There are potentiometers inside, I MUST TOUCH THEM AND TURN THEM >~)
--> Tell the little devil on your shoulder to stop talking to you. The potentiometers will not make the pedal sound any better, or add bass, or make you feel more knowledgeable about electronics. The unit will sound or perform worse if you change them from where the technicians and I have carefully set them after a 24 hour burn-in period of that particular transistor. Please don't adjust them.
www.javaboost.com Here's another review! Thanks Chad!
Here's my promised review... I'd say it's now after the honeymoon, and I wanted to cut out the mention of competitors pedals, as I don't like to slag anyones product. This review is also more representative of how I use the pedal now, as opposed to the first few days of ownership.
Well, I've been playing with the Java Boost for just under a month now, and after 2 gigs, half a dozen band practices, and a weekend in the studio recording my bands demo, I've gotta say it's become a permanent part of a rig that I try to keep as bare bones as possible. I have been primarily running my PRS Custom 22 to Java Boost to a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia head into a matching rear ported 1x12 cab w/ a Weber P12Z (Silver Bell clone re-voiced to Dr. Z's specs). It's sounds AWESOME. A fantastic, simple rig that's perfect for playing the classic-rock/modern alternative retro blend of music that my current band is all about. The 3-position boost mode switch on the Java and the Ghia's single tone control provide an awesome array of different overdrive flavors to boosted gritty clean tones. I have been leaving the Java's tone control full-clockwise and dialing in the rest with the volume and tone controls on my guitar, which provides me with an awesome variety of tones that I didn't have running my guitar straight into the amp... It's really quite a welcome change for a guy who's been used to plugging straight into an amp with a single tone and volume control. The Java Boost is simply the most musical sounding pedal I've ever experienced, and I've tried a somewhat long list (for me anyways) of different pedals in recent months during my search for the perfect pedal to add versatility and extra magic to an already killer rig.
I've also recently added a TopHat Club Royale to my amp rig to run a/b/y with the Ghia, as well as an ES335 copy to compliment my PRS... The Java sounds equally amazing with all these variables as well. It's currently the only 'dirt' pedal in my live rig, and I have a feeling it's gonna stay that way for quite some time. To summarize, the Java adds an extremely musical, harmonic,singing, lively, snappy, responsive, 3D quality to my existing tones that is UNPARALLELED by any other of a long list of pedals I've tried for this exact purpose. Starting with an already great amp and guitar combination that's either breaking up, or on the verge of breakup, this boost pedal takes your tone to that hard to reach next level, and makes it seem like it's almost too easy to get there after searching for so long. This is a definate keeper that will remain in my possession until I'm no longer able to make music.
What about the negatives? Well, I really don't have any serious complaints... I will say I don't really need the tone control on the pedal, as I can roll off as much treble as I need to at my guitar... just the toggle switch and volume control would be sufficient. Still, the tone control undoubtedly makes it more versatile than the original Rangemaster, and allows players with already bright rigs to add the fantastic Java Boost mojo to their tone... Make no mistake, this pedal is MUCH more than just a treble booster. Build quality? This thing is a tank on the outside. Wiring/soldering inside is some of the neatest I've ever seen, even when comparing it with the guts of a Dr. Z amp. With an extra 9v battery in your gig bag, I doubt you'd ever need a backup. Fantastic pedal Robert.
THE FIRE! Here's a recording from a great, heavy sounding band called PSILENUS
"I used it to record the guitar solo in the song “THE FIRE?in conjunction with your modded SD-1 (which I use for all my distortion needs). The link is below, if you’re curious."
http://www.psilenus.com/Moose%20Music.htm
The FireJay Robken plays the guitar and sings! Fantastic job!
