The BBE Freq Boost is a treble booster pedal from BBE, described by Pedal of the Day as "BBE's take on a treble boost"1. Guitar World called it a pedal "patterned after treble boosters of yore," and Delicious Audio's Howard Stock described the type plainly: "The Freq Boost is a treble booster, which is essentially a precursor to the now-ubiquitous overdrive pedal"23. The pedal is discontinued.
What it does to your sound
A treble booster works differently from a clean boost. As Stock explained of the type, "these pedals turbo-charge the mid and treble frequencies to push tube amps into overdrive"3. Guitar World drew the contrast with BBE's own clean boost directly: "Unlike the Clean Boost, the Freq Boost adds presence to the tone by pushing the highs"2. Pedal of the Day's reviewer also credited it with adding sustain1.
Because the circuit is a vintage treble boost design, the pedal has the simple control layout that design implies. The reviewer noted its "simple one knob control surface"1.
Controls and hardware
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Controls | One knob1 |
| Bypass | Hardwire bypass1 |
| Battery | Easy-access 9V battery compartment1 |
| Enclosure | Non-slip rubber bottom1 |
Power is flexible. Guitar World, reviewing the BBE line that included the Freq Boost alongside the Crusher, Green Screamer, Free Fuzz, Orange Squash and Boosta Grande, reported: "Each can be powered by a nine-volt battery or with its included power supply, and the pedals also work well with a third" party multi-unit power supply2.
BBE listed the Freq Boost on its discontinued products page, so used and remaining new stock are the only routes to one1.
What reviewers said
The Pedal of the Day guest review, by Coe S., was positive. The reviewer had bought the pedal years earlier looking for louder solos and reported "I was not disappointed," adding that it ended up the only pedal remaining from his early rig overall1.
Videos
Marco Gorla
Ross
Marco Gorla
Questions
Is the BBE Freq Boost still made?
No. BBE listed the Freq Boost among its discontinued products, and a 2016 guest review on Pedal of the Day pointed readers to BBE's discontinued products page. The pedal was part of a mid-2000s BBE pedal line that also included the Crusher, Green Screamer, Free Fuzz, Orange Squash and Boosta Grande.
Does the BBE Freq Boost run on a battery?
Yes. Guitar World reported that each pedal in the BBE line, the Freq Boost included, can be powered by a nine-volt battery or with its included power supply. Pedal of the Day's reviewer also noted an easy-access 9V battery compartment, and the pedals work well with a third-party multi-unit power supply.
What is the difference between the Freq Boost and the BBE Clean Boost?
Guitar World put it this way: unlike the Clean Boost, the Freq Boost adds presence to the tone by pushing the highs. A clean boost raises the overall level of the signal evenly, while the Freq Boost is a treble booster that emphasizes the top end, which is what drives a tube amp into overdrive.
How many controls does the BBE Freq Boost have?
One. Pedal of the Day's guest reviewer described it as having a simple one knob control surface, in keeping with the vintage treble boost circuit it is based on.
Sources (3)
- Guest Reviewer Fridays: BBE Freq Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2016-09-02
- BBE: Crusher, Green Screamer and Frequency Boost pedals, Guitar World, 2007-05-16
- Oldies But Goldies: BBE Freq Booster, Delicious Audio, 2010-07-30
