Naga Viper MKII: Classic Treble Booster for Modern Players?
The Naga Viper MKII treble booster takes inspiration from the likes of Brian May, and Toni Iommi. What does this contemporary stompbox look like compared to a period equivalent?
Naga Viper MK II
Catalinbread are offering this contemporary treble booster that looks the business and should sound like it too.
The Dallas Rangemaster, upon which this takes inspiration, was a great piece of kit used in the 1960s and onwards. However, it only really worked best through a cranked amp. This Naga Viper MKII, however, offers a lot more versatility and usability.
For instance, here you get an added dampening controller with an updated transistor. What does that mean? A pedal that can cope with higher levels of heat.
You’ve probably spotted a few new control knobs too. What are we working with here?
The heat control acts as an overall gain knob. Giving you a classic treble boost at the lower end, or at the top end it’ll give you plenty of dirt. Additionally, the range knob gives you the ability to control the amount of bass frequency that you desire.
There’s a footswitch which acts as a true bypass, unlike other boosters, this is never ‘always on’. Furthermore, that actuator knob essentially controls the entire pedal, adding more and more boost to your amp.
Hardwear-wise, the Naga Viper MKII has your usual 6.3mm input and output audio jacks. Moreover, you get a neat LED light to indicate whether the pedal is activated or not. Handy in a long chain of pedals!
Plenty of power options are available; ranging from the classic bedroom single 9v battery. Alternatively, it’ll accommodate a 9-18v DC power cable.
Naga Viper MKII – A worthy upgrade?
The guys and girls at Catalinbread have worked some magic on the overall feel and use of this treble booster. Providing players with more control, and most importantly, tone.
Weighing in at 180g and setting you back over $200, it’s competitively priced considering it’s not just a one-trick pony.
![Catalinbread Naga Viper Treble Booster MKII](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/nethumb140x40/pics/herstlogos/catalinbread.gif)
![Catalinbread Naga Viper Treble Booster MKII](https://thumbs.static-thomann.de/thumb/orig/pics/prod/583343.jpg)
Video:
For further information:
- Naga Viper MKII: Thomann
- Naga Viper MKII: Thomann