Pigtronix Class A Boost

Discreet “Class A” FET transistor audio path
Boosts Instrument or Line Level inputs
Max output before clipping: 8.0V p-p
Up to 20db of CLEAN boost
20Hz - 20KHz frequency response
True Bypass
Pigtronix 18VDC adapter included
Circuit Design by Howard Davis
Sound Design by David Koltai
Chassis Size = 2.4" x 4.4" x 1"


UTILIZATION

I'll go ahead and run through the rig I'm using this with. It's a meager pedal board. A couple of overdrives. A Timefactor delay, a whammy, and a wah. Nothing super fancy. I usually play a PRS hollowbody II or just a Les Paul classic through a Matchless nighthawk cranked pretty high. It's a simple rig that I like to use for small gigs or small tours. The Class A is basically my clean boost to push the amp from near breakup into serious breakup. But That's not really the only trick this pedal has. Its real usefulness is in how well it works with other overdrive pedals. Really, it stacks like a champ.

I have owned a few pigtronix pedals, and while I'm not quite sure who the crazy people are who are coming up with some of those designs, these are really well made pedals. I tend to favor the simpler ones they make like this. I know that you are thinking 100+ bucks is a lot for a single knob pedal. But the build quality is worth it.

SOUND QUALITY

There are a few things that I consider "need to know" about the class A boost.

1. It is really made to be used on top of other pedals. For example, I use a Fulldrive II to send my amp into lead territory, but sometimes when I need that extra push over the hill, I engage the class A and it gives the fulldrive a bit more gas. It's hard to find a pedal that can do this without imparting its own voice on the other pedal and killing the overall tone. The Class A is great not for what it sounds like, but for what it doesn't sound like. Got me?

2. It sounds great with an 18 volt power supply. Almost to the point that you have to have it. Personally, I'm not a fan of this because 18v supplies are not exactly that easy to come by. The Catalinbread DLS has this same problem and it's a bit annoying. You can't really go back to 9 after you have heard 18. It's a bummer.

OVERALL OPINION

This pedal is worth the cash and it does what it's supposed to. Enough said? This will quickly become the central boost on your pedal board if you give it a chance.