The Beetronics Boos-tah is a boost/preamp pedal with a single control, described by Pedal of the Day in 2015 as "a simple, one knob, always on boost/preamp pedal"1. It is intended to sit on a board permanently, lifting the guitar's signal and adding a little edge rather than acting as a dramatic effect. The review describes the circuit as "Roughly based around the ZVEX Super Hard-On"1, a well-known boost design, and notes the pedal came in a hand-crafted enclosure1.
What the single dial does
The Boos-tah has one control, and the review maps its behavior across the dial's range1:
| Dial position | What the reviewer found |
|---|---|
| Below about 10:00 | Quiets the signal1 |
| Around noon | Adds depth and character1 |
| About 3:00 | Makes the amp crackle1 |
| Cranked | Sends the signal into overdrive1 |
That last point matters for how the pedal is used: at higher settings it stops being a clean lift and starts driving the front end of an amp, so the result depends heavily on the amplifier it feeds1.
What the reviewer said
Pedal of the Day's Mike B reviewed the Boos-tah in April 2015 and tested it on a tube amp: "I only used this on a tube amp (a late 90's Peavey Classic 30, one of my faves)"1. His summary of the pedal's purpose and performance:
"designed to beef up your guitar's tone and push your amp into a slight breakup"
On the verdict itself:
"This it does very well, and can be an excellent addition to any board that might be lacking that little bit of extra"
He also closed with a word on the build and the maker: "this hand-crafted pedal will do you no wrong"1.
Context in Beetronics' range
At the time of the 2015 review, the Boos-tah was Filipe's only offering, and the reviewer wrote that he saw "grand things ahead for him and Beetronics"1. The company has since broadened its lineup well beyond that single pedal, including boost and overdrive designs such as the Beetronics Buzzter. For where a one-knob lift like this sits among the wider options, see Boost Pedals and Preamp Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Beetronics Boos-tah based on the ZVEX Super Hard-On?
According to Pedal of the Day's 2015 review, the Boos-tah is roughly based around the ZVEX Super Hard-On circuit. It is presented as a simple, one-knob, always-on boost/preamp pedal rather than a straight copy, built by Beetronics, a small company in Los Angeles.
Who designed the Beetronics Boos-tah?
The pedal was made by Beetronics, described in the review as a little company in Los Angeles, and the reviewer credited Filipe with working with him on arranging the review. At the time of the 2015 review, the Boos-tah was Beetronics' only offering.
Does the Beetronics Boos-tah push an amp into breakup?
Yes. The review describes it as designed to beef up a guitar's tone and push the amp into a slight breakup, adding extra zing. The reviewer found that with the dial cranked it sent the signal into overdrive, and he tested it on a late 90s Peavey Classic 30 tube amp.
What amp was the Beetronics Boos-tah reviewed with?
The Pedal of the Day reviewer said he only used the pedal on a tube amp, a late 90s Peavey Classic 30, which he called one of his faves. His findings about the pedal's breakup and overdrive behavior come from that amp.
Sources (1)
- Beetronics Boos-tah Preamp Boost, Pedal of the Day, 2015-04-14
