Boosting for solo

Buco

Yeah, it can't hurt to have the option.
I do use Baggs Para DI, if I see a good deal on a Venue I'll grab it and sell the Para.

I suspect adding a boost into the chain with Para will not give me more volume before feedback out of a mic?

Jazzaferri

Ideally one sets the solo volume at peak desired and then adjust back the rhythm and balance the band

rgrice

I've loved the Baggs Para and it's been great playing through a PA, mainly for tweaking volume and tone as my Allen and Heath has built in preamps. I've found that the Para is overkill and unnecessary with my Fishman which I run to PA. I agree totally that band should adjust volume level, which is so much easier totally acoustic or playing a quiet "concert" ssetting. Loud bars and cafes that have terrible acoustics make hearing a solo almost impossible tho. The Boss unit worked very well for a minimal solo boost at in indoor and outdoor venue.
@Buco I don't use my Baggs when mic-ing. It's not necessary to use a preamp with my AT 70. I was gonna do the same and get the Venue, but since I don't use a preamp, the price tag on the Venue isn't worth it. A new Boss is $120 or less. The Venue is $299!

lacrossehotclub

I use a AT Pro70 mic clipped on my DuPont and have found that the mic sounds even better with a preamp. I had been using an LR Baggs Para DI but it lacks a boost and a few other features. I looked into the Zoom A3 preamp pedal. Initially I was a bit unsure not being familiar with Zoom products (although John Jorgenson uses the earlier version). Well I've been gigging with one for a few weeks now and it's been working out great.

The pedal has a boost (with tone control) as well as eq, anti-feedback, mute button, pickup input, tuner, and a ton of effects. There's guitar remodeling for pickups but I bypass all that when using a mic. Mainly I use it for eq, clean boost, and a touch of reverb. With mute, anti-feedback and tuner it's all there in one versatile, compact unit, build like a tank and quiet.

Because of all the features it's best to find a good setting or two ahead of time and, other than fine tuning the eq, not fiddle with it on stage. Found mine for $180 new. It's solved a lot of problems and the setup is simple.

https://www.zoom-na.com/products/guitar-bass-effects/acoustic/zoom-a3-pre-amp-effects-acoustic-guitar

Buco

With Para I can definitely get significantly more headroom before feedback when using mic (Myers mic). I really like being able to use a preamp to counter the room effect we're playing in.
One use scenario I realized would be nice to have a bost is when I play with fingers. We play a few Jobim tunes and that's when my volume really disappears.
Boy is that A3 a Swiss knife of acoustic pedal or what? I'm very interested now.