This is by far the best demo of this pedal. What made this demo great was the fact that he started with a really great clean tone before adding the Spark Booster which made it sounds even better. I'm so sick of demos that start off with a horrible dry sound and then try to demo a pedal. If something doesn't sound good before you add an effects pedal, it's not going to sound good after you add it.🤷🏽♂️ Great demo. Keep up the good work :-)
Or the video's where they don't go clean at all, constant drive on and worse, they never turn the knobs all the way up or down. This guys demo's are articulate
Got this after complaining that my Blues Jr. was hard to get good sounds out of at low levels. This does the trick way more nicely than any distortion pedal. It gives the amp a push into glorious sounds.
Last night I played a whole gig with a Spark as my only overdrive. Pushing the front end of a Princeton it sounded fantastic (in my opinion of course!). For the price it’s an unbelievably good pedal. Nice video btw
@@DanLeggatt I do agree with @mofomartian. On RUclips there are lot of video but finding something useful and in-depth is difficult. Yours is VERY good.
This pedal is so versatile. It can really ape the Nobels ODR (to an extent): Set to Fat, max out bass. Gain only gets to about the equivalent of noon on the nobels but it sounds quite similar. It can also sound a lot like The Plumes and The Timmy and the OD 11 and a BD-2.
What a great demo. I've had this pedal on an off my board over the years. Now that I've watched this video, I'm definitely trying it again tomorrow at rehearsal! BTW what a great clean tone you had even before hitting the pedal.
Very excellent video. You actually know something about how to adjust and use this pedal. I learned more from this video than from the plain demo playing videos and the commercial overviews. People and players want to know ways to get into some good sounds with the pedal. This video helps, especially in specific regard to the Spark and single coil sounds.
I love to stack boosters/low-gain drives instead of just using one or two overdrive or distortion pedals. With my Blues Junior IV i run Keeley C4 comp>MI Audio Effects Boost 'n Buff V2>Xotic RC Booster>Spark>Tech 21 Double Drive >Xotic AC Booster>MXR FET Driver>Ram's Head Muff>Maxon TB09>MI Audio Boost n Buff V5 (buffer off). Always on: Keeley Comp (65% of the time it's on), MI BnB V2, RC Booster, FET Driver. After my digital delays and some digital modulation pedals I run an EHX Analogizer which is a good boost in its own right. Strymon Deco is my main low gain drive sound.
I also use two. The 4-knob version at the front , always on. The 1-knob mini at the end of the board to boost solos. You 'can' pay more for clean boosts, but The Spark does it for me.
Man I’ve been looking at a bunch of pedals..and for the price and EQ this does a lot more than I thought and solves issues. I have a Jekyl and Hyde and a Morning Glory I switch around too much! The Shredmaster side is first followed by the TS808. So it’s weird to put it first. So been MG then TS808 and a MIAB pedal. So the TS808 really just works on distortion, and by itself with the MG boosting a bit. But putting this first in line…pretty much solves all my boost issues, and Jekyl and Hyde issues plus EQ. Seems to be more Utility for my needs than just buying a Klon based or something. May just be the missing piece I need to boost, do the TS thing and it’s all on the switch plus EQ my direct signal.
Great demo! I play a lot of Angus AC/DC. And I want this pedal to dial in just for his solos. Not so much for rhythm. (Running through a Marshall combo). What settings would you suggest to nail those Angus Young lead tones?
Cheers man! Definitely a great deal. It’s one of those pedals that I feel if it was made by a ‘boutique’ company and had some fancy graphics it would sell for £150 no problem.
Nice review, Dan, really great. I use my Spark through a Blackstar Artist 30 and it really colours the sound and pushes the valves to great effect for both lead and rhythm work...I sometimes stick a Tone City Sweet Cream in front of the Spark and it sounds amazing. Thanks for the review mate!
@@DanLeggatt Hi Dan, thanks for reply. I'd say if you can get an Artist, go for it at a good price. Plenty of headroom (esp the 30 which is 2 X 12 speakers)...driven, it's a crunch, but using the Spark and other pedals pushes it to real dirt, the ISF feature gives you great versatility so you can bang out Marshall, Vox, Fender clean and overdriven tones easily. I'd say a good alternative to a Fender Twin. Has lovely reverb. The Captain and Mick from TPS do a good review on Andertons. Unrelated, just picked up a second hand Joyo Tremolo last night for 15 quid on Reverb, can't really go wrong from what others say about it, cue the surf vibe this summer! Cheers mate.
This pedal is incredible. The thing kicks ass for solos and the gain knob is an added bonus. This thing cuts through the mix as much as my sd-1 super overdrive. And yes I still have the sd-1 on my board next to the spark. They’re not going anywhere…… great demo🤟Thanks for posting. 🎸( I Agree with you. The mid switch is my favorite and where it stays 220 percent of the time)
I have this pedal and when i trun on the pedal i listen a noice and the noice still have when my guitar volume fully off .... why i don't anyone tell me please this salutation
Hi Dan, I'm thinking about getting this pedal, do you think it colours the sound of your amp in anyway?, I'm looking for a transparent boost to just enhance my amp's tone not change it for something else. Cheers
Would be interested to hear it at higher gain settings. Looking for a TS alternative to push amps and pedals,. I might use some added gain. I got an MXR micro amp plus, it doesn't help much. Good demo!
It doesn’t get much more gainy than this to be honest. If you turn the drive up much more than 3 o’clock it’s quite harsh. I should have probably included it maxed out but as it’s a sound I don’t use it didn’t occur to do it at the time sadly. Definitely doesn’t do ‘overdrive’, only a mild breakup. Thanks for watching 👍
I think you’ll love this. I’m personally not a fan of the tube screamer in most situations. The mid boost mode with a bit of bass and treble set to taste will floor a tube screamer in my opinion 👍
Does the footswitch on the Spark Booster seem odd...the top seems "spring loaded" before it actually activates . Maybe it's the same footswitch as used on the Spark Mini which allows momentary activation of the boost without locking it ON, a feature not included in the Spark Booster pedal ?
The switch on my spark is ‘clicky’ like a low profile version of a normal footswitch. My mini spark is completely clickless. I think TC changed this at some point. I know my flashback is clicky like my spark but my friends flashback has no click at all 🤷♂️
So not knowing much about tone shaping and pedals, I have an orange cr60c and I love the gain channel and over all sound of this amp but I still can't get it to quite have that pop or sparkle. I'm trying to get a nice 80s tone, would this be a good choice along with say an MXR carbon copy mini?
@@DanLeggatt Thanks! I will get the same pedal in a few hours ) I also use tube amps with reactive loadbox and IRs. And also my nr1 choise is usually Greenbacks! In my real cab I also have a greenback.
It’s not strictly a clean boost and isn’t advertised as such. The gain pushes the front end of the circuit. Set low for clean boost or push for more character 👍
Totally depends what you are trying to achieve. If you run a boost pre-distortion you will be boosting the level hitting the distortion which will result in more distortion and saturation with little to no increase in level. Running after distortion will give you more level but no more gain, unless you dial your boost into overdriving. It will also colour your tone more if you want it to by running it after.
@@franklespaul7150 I use both personally mate. After for a solo boost for gigs. Takes the volume up to get over the band. Then before for a bit more gain. Have a little experiment on your own rig and see what works 👍
These pedal makers are missing the mark when they don't have an extra button for a secondary boost/gain. Most people need varying levels of gain whilst playing.
I'm just hoping to save for this before this thing blows up and becomes super expensive. That's gonna happens some day because for the price that pedal is nuts.
Dan Leggatt DONE!!! Cannot wait for this pedal, honestly I own a good amount of pedals but I think a lot of us get to a point where we find our tone and just want more of that (or a hint of grit added) Cheers
This is one of the most underrated pedals ever.
Agreed. For the money you can pick one up for it’s pretty unbeatable!
Agree. Can do sooo many things pedals three times the price does. “Transparent” 😂
Outstanding in every way, best review and demo by a country mile!!👍🔟⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is by far the best demo of this pedal. What made this demo great was the fact that he started with a really great clean tone before adding the Spark Booster which made it sounds even better. I'm so sick of demos that start off with a horrible dry sound and then try to demo a pedal. If something doesn't sound good before you add an effects pedal, it's not going to sound good after you add it.🤷🏽♂️
Great demo. Keep up the good work :-)
Thanks so much for your comment! Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
What you said!
Or the video's where they don't go clean at all, constant drive on and worse, they never turn the knobs all the way up or down. This guys demo's are articulate
Got this after complaining that my Blues Jr. was hard to get good sounds out of at low levels. This does the trick way more nicely than any distortion pedal. It gives the amp a push into glorious sounds.
I got a blues Jr and was wondering the same!
I own and love this pedal. This is one of the best demo videos of it. A+ video and A+ pedal
This pedal works like drive on a transistor amp?
Last night I played a whole gig with a Spark as my only overdrive. Pushing the front end of a Princeton it sounded fantastic (in my opinion of course!). For the price it’s an unbelievably good pedal. Nice video btw
Exactly the way a pedal demo should be done, thanks Dan. I'm buying this pedal.
Enjoy 👍
Famtastic playing, and your breakdown of all the features was really well done and well demonstrated. Subscribed.
Thank you 👍
@@DanLeggatt I do agree with @mofomartian. On RUclips there are lot of video but finding something useful and in-depth is difficult. Yours is VERY good.
This pedal is so versatile. It can really ape the Nobels ODR (to an extent): Set to Fat, max out bass. Gain only gets to about the equivalent of noon on the nobels but it sounds quite similar. It can also sound a lot like The Plumes and The Timmy and the OD 11 and a BD-2.
One of the best pedal demo video's I've ever seen. Awesome job!
Great review man and awesome playing. I'm ordering one now, cheers!
What a great demo. I've had this pedal on an off my board over the years. Now that I've watched this video, I'm definitely trying it again tomorrow at rehearsal! BTW what a great clean tone you had even before hitting the pedal.
Thank you! It's a decent amp that Laney LC30ii. Can be picked up for very little money in the UK.
Best $79 I ever spent. It's an always on pedal for me. Picked up some good tips today. Great playing, Mike.
for sure, amazing pedal !
Yep. I have this and really like it. Nice demo.
This is a PRO DEMO!!! 4 thumbs up!
Thanks for checking it out 👍
Great demo. Thanks!
Very nice reviev. Iv got all answers for my questions😁👍Great pedal. Thanks
A rarity... a decent pedal review. Well done... all I wanted to know about this pedal.
Top notch demo! Really well done!
Cheers 👍
Very excellent video. You actually know something about how to adjust and use this pedal. I learned more from this video than from the plain demo playing videos and the commercial overviews. People and players want to know ways to get into some good sounds with the pedal. This video helps, especially in specific regard to the Spark and single coil sounds.
Cheers! Glad it was helpful.
I love to stack boosters/low-gain drives instead of just using one or two overdrive or distortion pedals.
With my Blues Junior IV i run Keeley C4 comp>MI Audio Effects Boost 'n Buff V2>Xotic RC Booster>Spark>Tech 21 Double Drive >Xotic AC Booster>MXR FET Driver>Ram's Head Muff>Maxon TB09>MI Audio Boost n Buff V5 (buffer off).
Always on: Keeley Comp (65% of the time it's on), MI BnB V2, RC Booster, FET Driver.
After my digital delays and some digital modulation pedals I run an EHX Analogizer which is a good boost in its own right.
Strymon Deco is my main low gain drive sound.
This rig also works great with my Laneys (VC30 210 and Cub12R) and my HiWatt T20/10 Head w/112 cab loaded with a Celestion V-Type
I’ve had this and the mini and they’re both really great pedals. Awesome playing as usual.
Thanks man! I liked this so much I grabbed the mini too. For the money I think they are both pretty unbeatable.
I also use two. The 4-knob version at the front , always on. The 1-knob mini at the end of the board to boost solos. You 'can' pay more for clean boosts, but The Spark does it for me.
Thanks a lot for the review man!!!
Excellent demo! Was originally considering the mini, But this full size with all the tone options is a no brainer. Can't wait to experiment with it.
Hope you dig it!
@@DanLeggatt Very much so! Total game changer.
Really good job presenting the pedal. Subscribed!
Appreciate it, thanks 👍
Excellent demo!
Nice to hear it can tighten the signal! What a great deal for the price.
I've got some really inspiring Hendrix sounds into an ac15 from running the gain full, mid setting, bass 12 and treble full
Man I’ve been looking at a bunch of pedals..and for the price and EQ this does a lot more than I thought and solves issues.
I have a Jekyl and Hyde and a Morning Glory I switch around too much! The Shredmaster side is first followed by the TS808. So it’s weird to put it first. So been MG then TS808 and a MIAB pedal. So the TS808 really just works on distortion, and by itself with the MG boosting a bit. But putting this first in line…pretty much solves all my boost issues, and Jekyl and Hyde issues plus EQ. Seems to be more Utility for my needs than just buying a Klon based or something. May just be the missing piece I need to boost, do the TS thing and it’s all on the switch plus EQ my direct signal.
Great demo! I play a lot of Angus AC/DC. And I want this pedal to dial in just for his solos. Not so much for rhythm. (Running through a Marshall combo). What settings would you suggest to nail those Angus Young lead tones?
Very helpful demo, thank you 🙏🏻
Outstanding review!
Great demo video, some nice playing 🤘🏼I've got one of these pedals on my board, they're fantastic, even better now that you can get them for £40
Cheers man! Definitely a great deal. It’s one of those pedals that I feel if it was made by a ‘boutique’ company and had some fancy graphics it would sell for £150 no problem.
Dan Leggatt TC is really underrated in the modern day..its funny because they’ve made A TON of legendary gear over the years
Nice review, Dan, really great. I use my Spark through a Blackstar Artist 30 and it really colours the sound and pushes the valves to great effect for both lead and rhythm work...I sometimes stick a Tone City Sweet Cream in front of the Spark and it sounds amazing. Thanks for the review mate!
Cheers! What do you think of the Artist? I had a chance to pick up the 15 a while ago for a good price but didn’t have the spare cash at the time.
@@DanLeggatt Hi Dan, thanks for reply. I'd say if you can get an Artist, go for it at a good price. Plenty of headroom (esp the 30 which is 2 X 12 speakers)...driven, it's a crunch, but using the Spark and other pedals pushes it to real dirt, the ISF feature gives you great versatility so you can bang out Marshall, Vox, Fender clean and overdriven tones easily. I'd say a good alternative to a Fender Twin. Has lovely reverb. The Captain and Mick from TPS do a good review on Andertons. Unrelated, just picked up a second hand Joyo Tremolo last night for 15 quid on Reverb, can't really go wrong from what others say about it, cue the surf vibe this summer! Cheers mate.
Thank you for the great review. Found it very informative and well presented. Regards.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Just bought one of these used for £30, looking forward to testing it out great demo! 👍
some great tones through the gritty amp, nice one.
I have just ordered one. You did convinced me.
Could be the BEST demo of a pedal I have seen. Most excellent job and great playing too ! BTW, what amp were you using ? Cheers
Please tell me, which is better for the Marshall JCM800: TC Electronic Spark Booster or Boss SD-1?
Definitely one to add to the collection at some point. That mid setting is ace!
Remind me when we eventually see each other and you can borrow mine!
Thank you, Dan. It’s great demo! This is my next purchase.
Nice one! Enjoy!
got a boss ge7 as booster but will definitely get this and add to my board
This pedal is incredible. The thing kicks ass for solos and the gain knob is an added bonus. This thing cuts through the mix as much as my sd-1 super overdrive. And yes I still have the sd-1 on my board next to the spark. They’re not going anywhere…… great demo🤟Thanks for posting. 🎸( I Agree with you. The mid switch is my favorite and where it stays 220 percent of the time)
Dude the mids of the sd1 + the mid of the spark on?? Facepalm
I have this pedal and when i trun on the pedal i listen a noice and the noice still have when my guitar volume fully off .... why i don't anyone tell me please this salutation
Hi Dan, I'm thinking about getting this pedal, do you think it colours the sound of your amp in anyway?, I'm looking for a transparent boost to just enhance my amp's tone not change it for something else. Cheers
great demo !!
really thorough review. thanks man!
Would be interested to hear it at higher gain settings. Looking for a TS alternative to push amps and pedals,. I might use some added gain. I got an MXR micro amp plus, it doesn't help much. Good demo!
It doesn’t get much more gainy than this to be honest. If you turn the drive up much more than 3 o’clock it’s quite harsh. I should have probably included it maxed out but as it’s a sound I don’t use it didn’t occur to do it at the time sadly. Definitely doesn’t do ‘overdrive’, only a mild breakup. Thanks for watching 👍
I like using a Klon for that. Nice mid-hump w/o the issues a TS has.
I have the smaller one, soundss amazing I put it at the every end, however the noise level above 10 oclock really breaks my heart 😢
Super demo!!
Cheers 👍
I love.mine. its like msg for your tone.
Sounds like Blues For TJ by Larry Carlton in the beginning!! Super nice vid my man!!
Thank you! I guess it does have that vibe. Thanks for watching 👍
Awsome demo and playing. My next purchase. Tired of my muddy TS9 over an already dark Mesa amp. Need more grit.
I think you’ll love this. I’m personally not a fan of the tube screamer in most situations. The mid boost mode with a bit of bass and treble set to taste will floor a tube screamer in my opinion 👍
Nice examples, thanks!
Does this one have momentary switch like the mini?
Thank you the training! Just got mine.
can't wait tuesday to have mine, it will be perfect in front of the Mojomojo! Nice review, merci!!
J'espère que vous apprécierez votre nouvelle pédale! Merci d'avoir regardé 👍
good player , nice feel, great demo
Appreciate it, thanks 👍
Nice coverage….. Thanks!!!
Just got one for $40! Looking forward to giving out a try.
Can i use this as preamp pedal?
Love mine
Does the footswitch on the Spark Booster seem odd...the top seems "spring loaded" before it actually activates . Maybe it's the same footswitch as used on the Spark Mini which allows momentary activation of the boost without locking it ON, a feature not included in the Spark Booster pedal ?
The switch on my spark is ‘clicky’ like a low profile version of a normal footswitch. My mini spark is completely clickless. I think TC changed this at some point. I know my flashback is clicky like my spark but my friends flashback has no click at all 🤷♂️
So not knowing much about tone shaping and pedals, I have an orange cr60c and I love the gain channel and over all sound of this amp but I still can't get it to quite have that pop or sparkle. I'm trying to get a nice 80s tone, would this be a good choice along with say an MXR carbon copy mini?
I think this is a great tone shaper. Can definitely dial in some more bite or sparkle 👍
Great demo! What amp and speakers (or IR) are you using? Sounds great also without pedal.
Laney LC30ii I think. IR was likely RedWirez Greenback 4x12 with an SM57.
@@DanLeggatt Thanks! I will get the same pedal in a few hours ) I also use tube amps with reactive loadbox and IRs. And also my nr1 choise is usually Greenbacks! In my real cab I also have a greenback.
@@SergeiVlassov It’s a free pack. Just google RedWirez free pack 👍👍
@@DanLeggatt ah, ok! Impressive! I use Torpedo IRs and some other stuff.
Amazing demo! So glad you showed it's 'bass tightening' ability. What clean amp were you playing through?
I believe this was the Laney LC30ii
Good job Danny. ty
Cheers 👍
silly question, on a dirty amp how much noise or hiss do you notice?
Obviously depends on the settings but with a good power supply it’s very low noise.
@@DanLeggatt Hmm ok Got a T Rex power supply here
Should be absolutely fine then! I can’t recommend this pedal enough for the price.
@@DanLeggatt Thanks mate :)
Not at all a noisy pedal, even cranking the treble and gain up.
Between this and the mini which is the better one?
Totally different jobs. The mini is purely a clean level boost. This is really flexible and offers EQ, level and gain. I have both and use both.
@@DanLeggatt hmm
I have one. It's awesome.
I'm confused: why a GAIN knob if it's a CLEAN boost?
It’s not strictly a clean boost and isn’t advertised as such. The gain pushes the front end of the circuit. Set low for clean boost or push for more character 👍
great sounds....what amp are you using in this video?
Laney LC30II
where do you place that's booster pedal on pedalboard, before or after distortion?
Totally depends what you are trying to achieve. If you run a boost pre-distortion you will be boosting the level hitting the distortion which will result in more distortion and saturation with little to no increase in level. Running after distortion will give you more level but no more gain, unless you dial your boost into overdriving. It will also colour your tone more if you want it to by running it after.
@@DanLeggatt In that's case I think better to put the booster pedal before overdrive or distortion right?
@@franklespaul7150 I use both personally mate. After for a solo boost for gigs. Takes the volume up to get over the band. Then before for a bit more gain. Have a little experiment on your own rig and see what works 👍
I have a Timmy that I can’t stand to play without. How does this compare?
Never tried a real Timmy to be honest. I would guess the Timmy would have more gain.
Merci... tres bien
Did you run it in a front of a amp or effect loop???
In front
Came for the pedal review, stayed for the chops.
Most kind man 🙏 Cheers!
string and pick gauges?
Elixir Opti 10-46. Dunlop Tortex Jazz III 1.14mm 👍
thank you for this video, i'lll buy it ;-)
Can it be used as a treble booster coupled with an overdrive pedal to give that extra push?
Absolutely 👍
These pedal makers are missing the mark when they don't have an extra button for a secondary boost/gain. Most people need varying levels of gain whilst playing.
the scratches, scuffs and beer splashes, cigarettes and whiskeys and wild wild women..:)
What amp are you using ?
Laney LC30Ii
I'm just hoping to save for this before this thing blows up and becomes super expensive. That's gonna happens some day because for the price that pedal is nuts.
@4:32 🤯🤯🤯
the mojo and dark matter sounds too dry
❤️👍🎶🎵🎸😎
$59 bucks on reverb used.shes mine now
$59 bucks new at Sweetwater now
$75 on Amazon right now...free shipping
Treat yourself 👍😂
Dan Leggatt DONE!!! Cannot wait for this pedal, honestly I own a good amount of pedals but I think a lot of us get to a point where we find our tone and just want more of that (or a hint of grit added)
Cheers
Is this basically a Timmy?
Don’t think so. Way less gain.
Keep this pedal a secret. Ill never get rid of it
Is this a reverb pedal? Then it's way too much;)
If you don’t like reverb you are watching the wrong channel pal 🤷♂️😂
Best before or after other overdrive pedals?
Either works great depending on what you want to achieve. Boosting gain before. Volume boosting and extreme tone shaping after.
Please tell me, which is better for the Marshall JCM800: TC Electronic Spark Booster or Boss SD-1?