I was planning on using a Super Overdrive as a booster by maxing the level control and setting the drive to just over a boost, but a clean booster might be a better choice, since the main thing I want is a volume increase, and a little more gain to cut through the mix, but with any kind of boost I should get more gain out of the preamp.
I really like the looks of this - http://timemachineboost.com/AboutGL.htm (a different version of this - http://timemachineboost.com/) but it's way out of my price range. Maybe if someone knows the basic design of that booster, or has a schematic, I could find something close and try to make that.
I play 80s rock (Van Halen, Dokken, etc.) and I use a Behringer Vitrualizer for light compression into an ADA MP-1, and I will soon have a Peavey Classi 60/60 power amp. I have a plywood Epiphone Les Paul right now, but I want to get a Charvel. Next week I'm going to wind a custom Seymour Duncan pickup, and it will probably be like an EVH or Screamin Demon.
I really appreciate everyone here sharing their knowledge, and I'm sorry if I ask any stupid questions or anything.