Name: Pigtronix Class A Boost
Brand: Pigtronix

MusicRadar Verdict

One louder when you need it, classily delivered.

Pros

+
Transparent boost; compact; runs from 9V PSU.

Cons

-
18V PSU takes up more pedal real estate.

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After a slew of pedals that offer a left-field take on effects with maximum tweakability, the newest addition to the Pigtronix range has just a single knob and one function: the Class A Boost is a compact preamp/booster based around a J-FET transistor.

Sounds

You can boost a signal by up to 20dB, dialled in with the pedal's gain knob, but it has been designed with a linear frequency response so that it doesn't mess with your tone as it gets louder.

The result is a pedal that you can kick in to get solos cutting through, to drive your amp harder or to add an extra dimension to an overdrive or distortion pedal.

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.

Matteo Mancuso wears a white T-shirt and plays his Yamaha Revstar in Tobacco Burst live onstage during a soundcheck before his festival appearance at at Casa del Jazz, Rome.

“Imagine not knowing Eric Johnson, Vai and Satriani and seeing this for the first time? It literally blows your mind”: Matteo Mancuso – 10 albums that changed my life