The Black Arts Toneworks Skyboost is a boost pedal that deliberately does not stay a boost. The maker describes its range as sounds "from a gentle full range boost, gritty treble boost, gassing up to a full aggressive fuzz," so one box can sit in front of an amp as a clean push or be turned up into full-on fuzz territory1. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio called it "one of the more flexible pedals from a manufacturers known for heavy gain effects"2.
Controls
The Skyboost keeps its front panel simple: two knobs and two switches cover everything from edge-of-breakup push to fuzz1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | "Dial up harmonic content maxing up to fuzzy"1 |
| Volume | "Match your amp volume, then cut or boost as needed"1 |
| Contour switch | "Toggle between a bassy setting and a trebly setting"1 |
| Range switch | "Toggle between lower and higher gain ranges"1 |
The two switches are what give the pedal its spread. Range picks the gain band, Contour tilts the response toward bass or treble, and Gain then sets how far up that band you go, from a light boost to the maker's full aggressive fuzz1.
Where it fits on a board
Black Arts Toneworks suggests the Skyboost's lower-gain side as a push into an already dirty amp: "Great for boosting and adding some edge to a dirty preamp, add definition to a saturated front end"1. In practice that means it can act like a boost into an overdrive or distortion pedal or an amp's own input, or stand alone as a gain stage of its own when the Range switch is set high1.
Power, bypass and warranty
The pedal runs on 9V DC with a negative center plug, the standard center negative supply most pedalboard power bricks provide1. Black Arts Toneworks lists true bypass switching, so the circuit is out of the signal path when the pedal is off1. The Skyboost carries the Black Arts standard lifetime warranty1.
Demo
Delicious Audio's 2018 write-up points to a demo video by Mike Hermans showing the pedal's range from boost to fuzz2.
Videos
BlackArtsToneworks
Mike Hermans
GEAR NERDS
Questions
Is the Black Arts Toneworks Skyboost true bypass?
Yes. Black Arts Toneworks lists the Skyboost with true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it. That keeps the pedal straightforward to place anywhere on a board, whether it is pushing a dirty preamp or running into a clean amp.
What power supply does the Skyboost use?
The Skyboost runs on 9V DC with a negative center polarity, according to Black Arts Toneworks. That is the standard center negative supply used by most pedalboard power supplies, so it should fit a typical setup without an adapter.
What does the Contour switch do on the Skyboost?
The Contour switch toggles between a bassy setting and a trebly setting, letting you shape whether the boost leans on low end or bite. It works alongside the Range switch, which toggles between lower and higher gain ranges.
How much does the Black Arts Skyboost cost?
Black Arts Toneworks lists the Skyboost at a price of $175 on its product page as of October 2026.
Can the Skyboost sound like a fuzz?
Yes. Black Arts Toneworks describes its range of sounds as going from a gentle full range boost, through a gritty treble boost, gassing up to a full aggressive fuzz. The Gain control dials up harmonic content maxing up to fuzzy, and the Range switch toggles between lower and higher gain ranges.
What warranty comes with the Skyboost?
The Skyboost carries the Black Arts standard lifetime warranty, according to the maker's product page.
Sources (2)
- Skyboost, Black Arts Toneworks
- Black Arts Toneworks Skyboost, Delicious Audio, 2018-08-03