The BSM HS model is based on the short-lived early edition British HORNBY-SKEWES unit produced, as used by Ritchie Blackmore, the brilliant and impulsive guitarist of Deep Purple. The unit produces a powerful and biting sound that was used to help create the epochal masterpieces e.g. "Deep Purple In Rock" and "Fireball". The long yearned for new edition, now issued under the name HS from BSM, includes the same germanium transistors as the 1965 version. The HS-Custom model includes a volume control (like Blackmore's modification).
Almost all British rock guitarists using single coil pickup guitars used a germanium Treble Booster from the late 60's to the mid 70's. By the end of the seventies, the Treble Booster was replaced by a new circuit from Japan, the so called Tube Screamer and other similar overdrive circuits. These were based acoustically on the old Treble Boosters and therefore had a very similar frequency response. The germanium boosters on the other hand, sadly fell into oblivion despite their unique and inimitable sound. The HS and the HS-Custom Treble Booster has been specifically designed for single coil pickups with a relatively low coil inductance, such as pickups in Fender or Gibson guitars. On these pickups, the HS produces (with the volume control of the guitar turned up to the max) a fat, biting and penetrating lead sound, minus any shrill characteristics. By lowering the guitar's volume control, many shades of crunch can be easily dialed in. Another thing to consider is that when a guitar amp's volume is turned up (reaching saturation), the power amp normally begins to mute the highs, which results in a duller sound. At an amp's full tilt, the HS Treble Booster allows a more transparent tone (covering the entire frequency range) to shine through. The presence control on the amp need only be minimally used (if at all). When vintage amps are used (such as the Fender Deluxe, Fender Bassman, Vox AC30, plexi Marshall 100w or Marshall Major) it is amazing what effect the use of a good treble booster has.
The Treble Booster is inserted between guitar and amplifier, not into the FX loop. The magical tone is achieved by the interaction between guitar pickup, treble booster and amplifier. The unit is powered by a 9V battery with a current consumption of approx. 280 uA. The average output level is 6dBm, the maximum output voltage when the strings are struck really hard is 5V max. Note: The positive pole of the battery is ground.
Here is a great soundclip, recorded by Leon from the Netherlands
.... and another one from Burgerman
.... and one from Manuel Bastian, engaging the HS-C at time index 2:44
If you have any questions concerning our products, especially the BSM HS-C Treble Booster, our tech-head and mastermind Mr. Bernd C. Meiser would be happy to talk to you. So don't hestitate any longer and send him an email to info@treblebooster.net or use the contact form to contact him.
Reviews
Hi Bernd, I have good news.... I tested some of your pedals.... HS-C - Fireball - 71/73 - and RPA California. They are fantastic.... great sound. Sound is very similar to Ritchie's sound. Now I have these 4 boosters. If you want to play Deep Purple & Rainbow songs these boosters are ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!!
Emiliano Lupi
Herr Meiser - I received my RM-Velvet from Pedalgeek in New York and it sounds killer! I can't decide if I like it better than the HS-Custom. The Velvet definitely has a rich, meaty sound with great harmonics and "squawky" tones. The HS on the strat neck pickup was a pleasant surprise to me. But overall, the Velvet is one of the best blues sounds I've ever heard, seriously, especially with the Les Paul. I am impressed. Keep up the good work. You truly have a great ear for tone, Bernt--and the appreciation of those great classic sounds that deserve to preserved for new generations of players. Thank you for what you do. Best wishes from U.S.A.
John Cardin
Hallo Bernd, Herzlichen Dank für die schnelle Antwort! My English is better so I'll continue in that... I've suffered severely from a GAS for some years, always seeking for "tone", "sound" or whatever to improve. After a guitar-friend suggested I should try a TB (he had a BSM), in a spontaneous mood, I ordered a HS-Custom (DP fan when I was a teen). What a world opened for me!! Instead of 3 overdrives and a clean boost (and an Analogman Mine Clone Chorus with level pot, recommended), my pedalboard now consists of: BSM HS-C --> KORG DT-10 (tuner) --> Pedalworx Texas Two Step (overdrive) --> Analogman Mini Clone Chorus. I primarily use (2) Fender Deluxe Fat Strats into Rivera combo's (Chubster 40, M100), which I connect to a Rivera Los Lowbottom. The interaction between the guitar's volume knop, the HS-C and the Rivera's is sooo fine, easy, awesome, etc... And again the rule rules: Less is More!! FYI: Contrary to what I read on Harmony-Central, I find the HS-C working very nice with a humbucker! Also the HS-C works fine with the Pedalworx TTS and the Analogman Mini Clone Chorus. Thanks very very, much for your time! Hope you can use my info for other customers or for your own interest! Best regards
Hans Reijnders
I can't get over your HS Custom I bought this thing is on fire and everyone should own (well anyone that plays electric guitar with a tube amp) hahahahahha. The sounds I have got from this booster is endless I have tried everything and then I stumble on something new and its cool to. I wish you were around when I was younger hahahahah. Really the real Hornby Skewes Treble Booster sounds just like yours but yours is even better the noise is so low (and I played my amp full up like concert levels with this booster) sorry its still very quite. I use a american tele and wired it like a 53 tele and I got some paper caps and it rocks. The funny thing is I sound like Ritchie and thats real cool........ Thank You you found the Mad Man's secret hahahahhaahhahah......... Please keep up the good work and never stop you have a very good product and built like a tank, I think even if you have competition they will buy your product as well..... I say that because I build boosters and things for my friends and they like them but I am telling them to buy yours now seeeeeeeeeeeeee hahahahahahahahah.............. Anyway would like to here you play sometime and if I come to Europe would like to meet you and talk about boosters and maybe jam that would be cool. Thank you again and AMEN to you Brother, Pastor Joe
Joe Bonaventura
Hallo Bernd, ich möchte dir an dieser Stelle ein dickes Kompliment aussprechen. Ich bin wie mein Bruder auch ein großer Fan vom Rory und seit Jahrenden auf der Suche nach (m)einem Sound, der natürlich ähnlich Rorys sein soll aber vielleicht ein bisschen moderner. Ich spiele Strats und Tele über einen AC30 und über einen alten Sundown A50. Nun, der langen Rede kurzer Sinn: mit dem HS-C und dem RM Velvet ging die Sonne auf! Wobei ich mit dem HS-C noch ein bißchen mehr das bekomme, was ich schon immer gesucht habe. Jedenfalls habe ich jetzt eine lange Liste von diversen Effekten, die jetzt wohl alle bei ebay landen werden. Gruß aus dem verschneiten Bayern
Juergen Heilmaier
Hallo Bernd ! Ich habe gestern den HS Custom gekauft, vorher gerade direkt mit Fireball und MK-II verglichen. Ich kann mir es immer noch nicht glauben! Endlich, nach etlichen Jahren Suche, unheimlichen Geldausgaben, usw, habe ich jetzt den ultimativen Blackmore Klang (zusammen mit meinen Eschen-strats/Kinman pus und meinem Engl SE Amp). Ein richtig grosses Lob an Deiner Arbeit, hoffentlich geht es weiter so!! Soeben haben ein paar Kollegen und ich (alle 42+) eine Purple/Rainbow/Whitesnake cover band hier in Athen gegruendet, und ich glaube an diesem Samstag, bei der Probe, werden noch weitere Augnepaare feucht... Es kommt gerade zum richtigen Zeitpunkt!!! Vielen Dank fuer die echte Sauarbeit und die unbegrenzt angebotene Freude!! Jannis (Athen/Griechenland)
Jannis
Hi Bernd! Vielen dank für den hs custom! Ich bin sehr !!begeistert. meine strat klang nie besser! Ich gehe direkt vom treble-booster im einen 100er m&g (quasi super lead marshall mit besten bauteilen) und von da in eine 4x12er tone - tubby. Die single coils perlen, drücken und knallen wie immer gehofft und in dieser klarheit nie erreicht.dennoch ist der ton genau richtig komprimiert um immer musikalisch singend und extrem anschlagsdynamisch. Das schmatzt. Die p90 meiner 56er spezial zeigen muskeln. Vielleicht ein wenig zu fett der ton? Regler ein wenig reduziert und ein wenig mehr presencen am amp. klar. ein rockige 82er gold top wird zum singendem metal traum. Immer super musikalisch mit absoluter control im bass bereich. Beim gitarre - poti zurücknehmen wird der ton jedoch für mich ein wenig zu trebli-spitz. Egal, (amp)einstellungssache. Seit über 25 jahren spiele ich nun von clapton und taylor über blackmoore bis yngwie alles und gerne. mein persönliches fazit : hs-custom : hard rock tone in vollendung! danke!
