Boost pedals are Boost pedals, right? They make your instrument sound louder, and help push your amp sometimes into slight overdrive territory, and that’s about it…or is it? The crew over at Vertex has crafted a new kind of boost pedal, aptly named the Boost, that does an excellent job of performing its main function, but does so much more as well.
First off, this is the first boost pedal we’ve ever seen that has an Expression jack on it. How does this work, you might ask? Well, in two different ways: First, if the Boost pedal itself is off, the Expression pedal acts as a regular volume pedal, sweeping from silent to unity gain. Second, when the Boost is on, the Expression pedal controls your boosted volume, sweeping from silent to wherever you have set the Level control. Right away, this makes this pedal a head-turner, and not your typical volume booster effect.
Also present here is a ultra-linear buffer, which works to condition your line with zero tonal coloration, a must have in any rig. The 100% Analog Circuitry leaves your tone unchanged, while still boosting the level of your signal, and is able to push a tube amp into glorious slight breakup territory. With a total of +16dB available to work with, there’s really no way you’ll ever be buried in any live stage mix, and with the hands-free ability to precisely dial in how much boost you need, you can dictate both your guitar’s tone and the tone of the show.
The Boost really gives you the “plugged straight into your amp” feeling and tone, which is what you want your boost to sound like: nothing. Handcrafted in California and built to last, this is definitely an “always on” pedal, and a great match with any rig. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but, as with most things, you get what you pay for, and you can really hear and feel the craftsmanship that went into this creation. Thanks to Mason and all at Vertex for letting us check the Boost out – if you’re looking for a straightforward, go-to volume and tone enhancer without any fuss or muss, then the Boost sounds right up your alley.
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