Thank you! I tried to emphasise in the videos that these treble boosters are not magical snakeoil, one does have to know how to play Blackmore and then they sound pretty cool.
Nice video, great review. Wouldn't this pedal be a great choice for the early Rainbow (the Dio days) sound too? I don't think Blackmore changed anything in his gear setup from MK3 all the way up to Rainbow Rising. What do you think?
Generally I think most aiwa type drive/preamp pedals from BSM will work for rainbow, mk3 or later deep purple as well. The RPA series might factor in Blackmore’s marshall sound but the point remains the same. These pedals will get you in the ballpark of all Blackmore sounds post treble booster era. What amp are you using?
@@DogwithtwoBones Hi DogwithtwoBones, thanks for answering my questions. I don't use an amp per say, but it's top notch Marshall Major and VOX AC30 profiles for the Kemper.
Which ones do you have? I think I only saw the RPA major which sounded good but a bit too much to me. But I really dig the sounds of your marshalls by themselves too.
@@DogwithtwoBones These days I have the RPA Major, Cali and Mk 2. For amps Im down to my Engl Blackmore and Axe Fx as cant play at loud volumes in the house these days and not gigging at the moment. I sold my major to the Red Hot Chili peppers, sounded amazing but was not practical for me . I do miss the marshalls..The Axe Fx gives me the same sounds but at controlled volumes but not as good for playing at gig volumes. I use the Engl for that which was modded to be less gainy and less presence as per some advice Bernd gave on the Blackmore forum years ago. Recently bought a Mosky 250 DOD copy for 25 euros and sounds just like the original grey one, highly recommend
@@jhep1 I totally understand the volume issue, that's why I have the vox ac10 which far from perfect but usable. Even for gigs it is real easy to carry and we mic it anyways. Also I play country gigs so it's not a loud rock show where I have to roar. I was thinking about axeFX or kemper but I'm one of those people who can't enjoy digital modelling if I know its digital. But I know they are good and happy that it works for you! I bet the marshalls fetched good money but I feel you, must have been a hard choice. I'll check out the dod copy.
Good question. Not necessarily. If you have a good sound that you like with the California then no. But if you want to get more gritty and fuzzy at times the Galaxy can go further than the Cali. The galaxy is kind of a 2 stage drive pedal with no EQ so it's a different beast but the Cali gets the vibe across very well.
This is probably the first time someone made a BSM product review that didn't sound bad, at least on youtube. Good job! I do have a question though, how exactly does it compare to just a standard treble booster? Since our setups are different it is hard to tell how much difference there is but to me it sounds like this is just a regular treble booster with added tone and gain pots. I've been curios about those BSM RPA booster pretty much from day 1 but I just can't justify spending that much money on a simple treble booster.
Thank you! This is a legit question which I can only partially answer because I only had 1 other treble booster, a dallas rangemaster oc44 copy and that was totally different. It seems to me the BSM pedals or at least the California has a gain structure to it. Many treble boosters I heard on youtube only EQd the highs making it cutting but thin and weakish. When I got the Cali it was a huge revelation to me. Btw the BSM 71/73 treble booster review (my other TB) will drop next weekend. That one's closer to a regular TB in a way, but on that one the two knobs regulate the frequencies you boost that's tailored to Blackmore I do understand it is a lot of money and I am not sure about BSMs return policy but I am sure you can talk to Bernd to find out. What are a couple of regular boosters that you were looking at? I'll try to check them out in a store or something.
Oh sorry, by "standard" booster I really meant a self-built Hornby Skewes copy with a silicon transistor which sounds rather thick, more upper range mids than treble really. Though you still get that glossy kind of sound when you back off on the guitar volume. Nothing like those EQ'd highs types of sounds that you mention. It does sound kind of similar to what you're doing here but like I said, it is impossible to tell for sure. I'll be looking forward to your next review, I believe the 71/73 is supposed to be more of a normal booster which should give me a slightly better idea what the difference to the RPA ones is. Maybe you could explain what you feel is the difference (or advantage, etc.) between the more standard BSM TB types and the RPA line that comes with the tape deck preamp? I didn't think about just ordering one to try it out, thanks for the idea. Though unfortunately right now, even that is a bit too expensive for me (thinking BSM RPA and/or BSM Galaxy). By the way! It would be really nice if you could make some sound samples with your Lace Sensor Blackmore Stratocaster as well since LS do sound quiet different from more regular singlecoils like the 1969's.
Yeah I thought about including the Blackmore signature with the LS golds but omitted that for a few reasons. First I set that up for slide playing so it is now a bit uncomfortable for my fingers but mainly I wanted to keep the video short and straight forward plus as you said lace sensors are different so I wanted a regular strat pickup. But I'll keep it in mind for a future video. I also am thinking of doing a comparison between the two BSMs. Just a few sound samples. They are very different so wont be a comparison per se but would give people an idea of what they can do. That's really awesome that you can make a pedal by yourself. Do you have any sound samples? I'd be quite interested based on what you said about it. Also I believe you know mgalbu on youtube. He dug himself pretty deep into self made rigs with what I hear from his videos great success. You might want to discuss self built boosters with him, he's very helpful and cool!
It does not have to be right now, just some time in the future is fine, whenever is most convenient for you. Unfortunately I do not have any way to record my stuff, no proper microphones, no band and neighbors not out often enough for a jam session. I think it sounds pretty much the same as the BSM HS, which I got to try at one point although it was not on my own amplifier. Building your own pedals is fun and very rewarding and in many cases much cheaper than buying a replica. Something like a treble booster or fuzz face is good even for beginners. Really the hardest part is finding a correct schematic for the thing you want to build and sourcing the parts if they are NOS. Yeah, I have seen mglabu's youtube videos, amazing stuff. An entire self-made rig is way beyond my skill level, same probably goes for my guitar skills!
There must be a learning curve in making your own gig, I am just afraid to start that journey but admire everyone who does. Valid point, there internet is probably full of misinformation regarding pedal schematics just like with everything else :D I totally get the neighbour situation, that's why I'm playing in this small Vox AC10. I already put my thoughts together, I'll see if I can record it this weekend. I wanted to do it anyways.
You can setup the california on a board with other drives but it will be much louder than the others. If you wanna switch between the california and other pedals I’d say get the california 2, which has a volume knob so you can set all pedals up to unity gain.
To be honest I wasnt really trying to cover any of the specific mistreated performances just played the basic riff. But in the future it would be cool to cover a live intro. My favourite is a bootleg called perk and tit, i think it’s from san diego in 74.
What even is the difference between the RPA California II and RPA California I? As far as I have understood it, the RPA California II demands the right pickups, but gets the Blackmore sounds on smaller amps too (I don't get it, just read the description on the website). And the RPA California I is then not as demanding of the right pickups but the right amp instead? Has anyone made any sense of it? Very confusing.
I dont know for sure but the way I lookat at this is the cali 2 is an updated version of the circuit. I dont believe there would be huge difference between the two, but I only played on this one.
hi friend;))) Tell me, is there any point in buying this gadget if my amplifier is not Marshall, but Nux? (the translation may be slightly different, since I am from Russia;)
Probably not. I dont know Nux amps but it seems to be a digital modelling amp and I am not sure how those work with any pedals. I have played bsm pedal with tube amps and transistor amps too but not digital amp. You can alway write an email to BSM and ask their opinion.
First of all cool name. These pedals would not work in the effects loop, has to be between the guitar and the amp input to go to the preamp. Of course it can be used with other pedals too.
@@DogwithtwoBones Thanks for your answer. The name PicatoRB77 (which strings I use for 20 years now) was no longer available back then :-) I have to try some of those BSM Blackmore pieces. Check out my account if you like - there is some "Blackmore"-stuff :-)
It totally should! When I bought my Engl Screamer I stopped using the california for a spell because it did not sound good (was too weak) on the clean channel. Then i tried it on the crunch and it was great! I think Bernd even said it was not meant to plug in a totally clean amp.
Awesome! I am looking forward to hearing your impressions. Althouh i am curious about the sovereign too. Does it bring the late90s to current Blackmores night and rainbow tones?
That pedal and your playing sound great man \m/
Thank you! I tried to emphasise in the videos that these treble boosters are not magical snakeoil, one does have to know how to play Blackmore and then they sound pretty cool.
Nice video, great review.
Wouldn't this pedal be a great choice for the early Rainbow (the Dio days) sound too?
I don't think Blackmore changed anything in his gear setup from MK3 all the way up to Rainbow Rising.
What do you think?
Generally I think most aiwa type drive/preamp pedals from BSM will work for rainbow, mk3 or later deep purple as well. The RPA series might factor in Blackmore’s marshall sound but the point remains the same. These pedals will get you in the ballpark of all Blackmore sounds post treble booster era.
What amp are you using?
@@DogwithtwoBones Hi DogwithtwoBones, thanks for answering my questions. I don't use an amp per say, but it's top notch Marshall Major and VOX AC30 profiles for the Kemper.
@@DeepPurple-gr6wj i havent tried these pedals with modellers so I dont know how they react but let me know if the do because I am interested.
@@DogwithtwoBones If I ever get my hands on one and try it out, I will let you know for sure.
Killer player my man!
Thanks alot!
My fave BSM pedal out of the ones I have
Which ones do you have? I think I only saw the RPA major which sounded good but a bit too much to me. But I really dig the sounds of your marshalls by themselves too.
@@DogwithtwoBones These days I have the RPA Major, Cali and Mk 2. For amps Im down to my Engl Blackmore and Axe Fx as cant play at loud volumes in the house these days and not gigging at the moment. I sold my major to the Red Hot Chili peppers, sounded amazing but was not practical for me . I do miss the marshalls..The Axe Fx gives me the same sounds but at controlled volumes but not as good for playing at gig volumes. I use the Engl for that which was modded to be less gainy and less presence as per some advice Bernd gave on the Blackmore forum years ago. Recently bought a Mosky 250 DOD copy for 25 euros and sounds just like the original grey one, highly recommend
@@jhep1 I totally understand the volume issue, that's why I have the vox ac10 which far from perfect but usable. Even for gigs it is real easy to carry and we mic it anyways. Also I play country gigs so it's not a loud rock show where I have to roar.
I was thinking about axeFX or kemper but I'm one of those people who can't enjoy digital modelling if I know its digital. But I know they are good and happy that it works for you!
I bet the marshalls fetched good money but I feel you, must have been a hard choice. I'll check out the dod copy.
Do you think the BSM Galaxy is needed if I already have the California?? What does the Galaxy do that this doesn’t?? Thank you.
Good question. Not necessarily. If you have a good sound that you like with the California then no. But if you want to get more gritty and fuzzy at times the Galaxy can go further than the Cali. The galaxy is kind of a 2 stage drive pedal with no EQ so it's a different beast but the Cali gets the vibe across very well.
Great as always, how loud is the AC10 running here?
Thanks Andy. Well the volume is around a 9 o' clock just as well as the gain but with the California it is loud in a wooden apartment building :D
This is probably the first time someone made a BSM product review that didn't sound bad, at least on youtube. Good job!
I do have a question though, how exactly does it compare to just a standard treble booster? Since our setups are different it is hard to tell how much difference there is but to me it sounds like this is just a regular treble booster with added tone and gain pots.
I've been curios about those BSM RPA booster pretty much from day 1 but I just can't justify spending that much money on a simple treble booster.
Thank you! This is a legit question which I can only partially answer because I only had 1 other treble booster, a dallas rangemaster oc44 copy and that was totally different. It seems to me the BSM pedals or at least the California has a gain structure to it. Many treble boosters I heard on youtube only EQd the highs making it cutting but thin and weakish. When I got the Cali it was a huge revelation to me.
Btw the BSM 71/73 treble booster review (my other TB) will drop next weekend. That one's closer to a regular TB in a way, but on that one the two knobs regulate the frequencies you boost that's tailored to Blackmore
I do understand it is a lot of money and I am not sure about BSMs return policy but I am sure you can talk to Bernd to find out.
What are a couple of regular boosters that you were looking at? I'll try to check them out in a store or something.
Oh sorry, by "standard" booster I really meant a self-built Hornby Skewes copy with a silicon transistor which sounds rather thick, more upper range mids than treble really. Though you still get that glossy kind of sound when you back off on the guitar volume. Nothing like those EQ'd highs types of sounds that you mention. It does sound kind of similar to what you're doing here but like I said, it is impossible to tell for sure.
I'll be looking forward to your next review, I believe the 71/73 is supposed to be more of a normal booster which should give me a slightly better idea what the difference to the RPA ones is. Maybe you could explain what you feel is the difference (or advantage, etc.) between the more standard BSM TB types and the RPA line that comes with the tape deck preamp?
I didn't think about just ordering one to try it out, thanks for the idea. Though unfortunately right now, even that is a bit too expensive for me (thinking BSM RPA and/or BSM Galaxy).
By the way! It would be really nice if you could make some sound samples with your Lace Sensor Blackmore Stratocaster as well since LS do sound quiet different from more regular singlecoils like the 1969's.
Yeah I thought about including the Blackmore signature with the LS golds but omitted that for a few reasons. First I set that up for slide playing so it is now a bit uncomfortable for my fingers but mainly I wanted to keep the video short and straight forward plus as you said lace sensors are different so I wanted a regular strat pickup. But I'll keep it in mind for a future video.
I also am thinking of doing a comparison between the two BSMs. Just a few sound samples. They are very different so wont be a comparison per se but would give people an idea of what they can do.
That's really awesome that you can make a pedal by yourself. Do you have any sound samples? I'd be quite interested based on what you said about it.
Also I believe you know mgalbu on youtube. He dug himself pretty deep into self made rigs with what I hear from his videos great success. You might want to discuss self built boosters with him, he's very helpful and cool!
It does not have to be right now, just some time in the future is fine, whenever is most convenient for you. Unfortunately I do not have any way to record my stuff, no proper microphones, no band and neighbors not out often enough for a jam session. I think it sounds pretty much the same as the BSM HS, which I got to try at one point although it was not on my own amplifier.
Building your own pedals is fun and very rewarding and in many cases much cheaper than buying a replica. Something like a treble booster or fuzz face is good even for beginners. Really the hardest part is finding a correct schematic for the thing you want to build and sourcing the parts if they are NOS.
Yeah, I have seen mglabu's youtube videos, amazing stuff. An entire self-made rig is way beyond my skill level, same probably goes for my guitar skills!
There must be a learning curve in making your own gig, I am just afraid to start that journey but admire everyone who does. Valid point, there internet is probably full of misinformation regarding pedal schematics just like with everything else :D
I totally get the neighbour situation, that's why I'm playing in this small Vox AC10.
I already put my thoughts together, I'll see if I can record it this weekend. I wanted to do it anyways.
I have a question. I just the California so setup on my pedalboard with the others drive pedal ? Thanks
You can setup the california on a board with other drives but it will be much louder than the others. If you wanna switch between the california and other pedals I’d say get the california 2, which has a volume knob so you can set all pedals up to unity gain.
Thanks for let me know. By the way. Do you play the mistreated intro from California jam or live in London
To be honest I wasnt really trying to cover any of the specific mistreated performances just played the basic riff. But in the future it would be cool to cover a live intro. My favourite is a bootleg called perk and tit, i think it’s from san diego in 74.
What even is the difference between the RPA California II and RPA California I?
As far as I have understood it, the RPA California II demands the right pickups, but gets the Blackmore sounds on smaller amps too (I don't get it, just read the description on the website).
And the RPA California I is then not as demanding of the right pickups but the right amp instead?
Has anyone made any sense of it?
Very confusing.
I dont know for sure but the way I lookat at this is the cali 2 is an updated version of the circuit. I dont believe there would be huge difference between the two, but I only played on this one.
hi friend;))) Tell me, is there any point in buying this gadget if my amplifier is not Marshall, but Nux? (the translation may be slightly different, since I am from Russia;)
Probably not. I dont know Nux amps but it seems to be a digital modelling amp and I am not sure how those work with any pedals. I have played bsm pedal with tube amps and transistor amps too but not digital amp. You can alway write an email to BSM and ask their opinion.
How would you rate this vs. the California II?
I have never tried the California 2 so I can’t say, sorry.
@@DogwithtwoBones Thanks anyway.
Is this BSM between guitar and amp input, or effects loop??
Maybe strange question, but I never used such pedals.... :)
First of all cool name. These pedals would not work in the effects loop, has to be between the guitar and the amp input to go to the preamp. Of course it can be used with other pedals too.
@@DogwithtwoBones
Thanks for your answer. The name PicatoRB77 (which strings I use for 20 years now) was no longer available back then :-)
I have to try some of those BSM Blackmore pieces.
Check out my account if you like - there is some "Blackmore"-stuff :-)
The Amp is in Clean sound then, right!?
It’s mostly clean yes but there’s a little “breakup” dialed in but it’s not overdrive or distortion just not pristine clean.
@@DogwithtwoBones
I wonder if it would work with the Crunch Channel of the Sovereign.
It totally should! When I bought my Engl Screamer I stopped using the california for a spell because it did not sound good (was too weak) on the clean channel. Then i tried it on the crunch and it was great! I think Bernd even said it was not meant to plug in a totally clean amp.
@@DogwithtwoBones
I will get my RPA this week, so I will see :-)
I have NO experience with such boosters at all :-)
Awesome! I am looking forward to hearing your impressions. Althouh i am curious about the sovereign too. Does it bring the late90s to current Blackmores night and rainbow tones?