Here's some info on each pedal:
Katana Boost by Robert Keeley Pedals, $199.00 Katana Boost - Pure FET TONE, Large Supply Voltage, Very tube-like yet punchy and studio frequency response. Tone Heaven for those that like their tone, just more! (discounted if you purchase a Keeley Compressor at the same time).
Plush Gain Pedal by Fuchs: A unique circuit topology, the Pure Gain gives up to 25db of gain (that's about a 20 times increase in your guitars output level), with an astoundingly low noise floor. Besides a true hard-wire passive bypass, the gain control allows you to use Pure Gain as an active buffer, which converts your signal from a hi impedance input to a low impedance output. Excellent for driving long cables, driving a pedal board, or use it to drive an overdrive pedal or amplifier into searing high gain territory. Excellent for raising single coil pickups to humbucker levels. List Price: $179
The Comparison:
From a write up perspective, the Plush Gain gets the nod, but here's the real inside scoop...
I did a video on the Pure Gain pedal (youtube.com/radicaltone) and decided I should do a direct comparison between the Pure Gain and Katana which I currently use on my pedal board. First of all let me say that you can't go wrong either way - both pedals are everything they're hyped up to be.
I admit, I didn't do a direct test between the maximum level between the two pedals, but both of them offer plenty of boost power and are worthwhile tools to have on your pedal board. I've found that I'm using a boost pedal more and more (the sound is addicting) but traditionally I've used it to bail me out of that moment when I didn't have my overdrive volume set correctly and found out I was too quiet when I went into a solo -- it's the best way to get bailed out if you need it (and if you're like me, I'm sure you have needed it many times)
I spent quite a bit of time comparing the tones from one to the other and they are each a little different. I found the low notes on the Plush Gain were very clear and offered great separation. With the Katana pedal I found the high notes on the guitar to be a little phatter. So right off I liked the Plush Gain on the low notes better and the Katana on the high notes better... The Plush Gain felt a little clearer to me, but I liked the phatness of the Katana which gave me an almost tube like quality.
So there you have it -- toss a coin. They both sound awesome and each one has it's strengths -- neither of them have any noticeable weaknesses. They are both dead quiet and comparably priced. Bottom line, which one to choose? I'd say if you need more phat go with the Katana, if you need more clarity go with the Plush. Pretty simple. I love these pedals placed in front of another distortion pedal - wango!! Cool! Screamin'!!
As always, give us a call and place your order through Radical Tone.
Thanks!
Michael
