The Bogner Harlow V2 is a compressor and boost pedal in a small, pedalboard friendly enclosure, built around a custom audio transformer created by Rupert Neve12. Bogner describes the Harlow as "Boost with Bloom", a boost pedal with level, tone and bloom controls, and the V2's Bloom compression serves up dynamic three-dimensional punch and tastefully transparent squeeze31. It sits alongside the Wessex and Burnley, all three of which Bogner has issued in V2 iterations with smaller, more pedalboard friendly sizes and rounded housings4.
The V2 version is a re-voiced, sweeter boost with significant changes made to the dynamics of the Bloom component compared with the original Harlow5. It also came in a smaller, more pedalboard friendly size with a rounded housing, finished in light blue26.
A compressor and boost with a transformer
At the heart of the Harlow is a custom audio transformer created by Rupert Neve, the audio designer whose components Bogner used across its V2 drive pedal range1. Delicious Audio described the 100% analog circuit as delivering "a wide range of boost, from crystal-clear light boost to a thick and meaty high-output"1.
The pedal's distinguishing feature is its Bloom compression, which Delicious Audio said "serves up dynamic three-dimensional punch and tastefully transparent squeeze"1. Guitar.com called the Harlow V2 "a unique take on the clean boost format," noting that the Boost and Tone controls act as you would expect while Bloom handles the compression side6.
The Harlow line goes back to Bogner's transformer pedal range, which the company has now issued in V2 iterations: the Harlow, Wessex and Burnley, each in a smaller and more pedalboard friendly size with a rounded housing2. Each pedal is built around a custom audio transformer created by Rupert Neve1. Guitar World, reviewing the original versions, found that "the sound quality and performance of all three pedals is on another level compared to the average overdrive and distortion pedal"4.
An optional Studio Series version adds a Bubinga exotic hardwood top panel, hand formed, sanded, layered and finished to give the look and feel of vintage 1960s mixing consoles1.
The controls
The Harlow V2 keeps things simple with three knobs1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the overall output level of the boost1 |
| Tone | Shapes the tonal balance, acting as you would expect16 |
| Bloom | Sets the amount of compression1 |
The Bloom knob is the one control that departs from a standard boost pedal. Delicious Audio noted that "the controls are pretty straightforward, apart from 'Bloom,' which sets the amount of compression"1. The original Harlow, reviewed by Guitar World in 2015, carried the same level, tone and bloom arrangement, so the V2's control layout continues that of the first version3.
The pedal also features an interactive Jewel light that reacts to your playing dynamics, giving a visual indication of how hard you are playing1.
The Harlow V2 needs a 9V DC supply delivering 50mA or more1. Plan for a dedicated pedalboard power output rather than assuming a shared supply will cover it.
Price and availability
At its April 2020 launch the Harlow V2 carried a recommended retail price of USD 179 in the United States2. UK press at the same time listed it at £199 GBP5. Gearnews noted at launch that the V2 pedals did not yet appear on Bogner's own website2.
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Questions
Is the Bogner Harlow V2 true bypass?
Yes. The Harlow V2 uses true bypass switching, so with the pedal off your signal passes through without the circuit coloring it. That makes it safe to leave on a pedalboard alongside other true bypass pedals.
What power supply does the Bogner Harlow V2 need?
It runs on a 9V DC power connector and draws 50mA or more, so a standard 9V center negative pedalboard supply covers it. There is no battery option mentioned in the product information.
Is the Bogner Harlow V2 analog or digital?
It is a 100% analog circuit. The heart of the pedal is a custom audio transformer created by Rupert Neve, the designer whose transformers Bogner also used in its other V2 drive pedals.
How much did the Bogner Harlow V2 cost?
At its 2020 launch the Harlow V2 carried a recommended retail price of USD 179 in the United States. UK press at the same time listed it at £199 GBP.
What does the Jewel light on the Harlow V2 do?
The Jewel light on the front of the pedal is interactive and reacts to your playing dynamics. It gives a visual read of how hard you are hitting the strings, which is useful when setting the Bloom compression control.
What is the Bloom knob on the Bogner Harlow V2?
Bloom sets the amount of compression. Bogner calls the pedal Boost with Bloom, and Delicious Audio described the Bloom compression as delivering dynamic three dimensional punch and a tastefully transparent squeeze.
Sources (6)
- Bogner Harlow V2 Boost/Compressor, Delicious Audio, 2021-10-25
- Bogner reissues V2 drive pedals with Rupert Neve audio transformers, gearnews.com, 2020-04-20
- Review: Bogner Burnley, Harlow and Wessex Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2015-06-25
- Bogner updates its Burnley, Wessex and Harlow custom audio transformer drive pedals, Guitar World, 2020-04-20
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2020-04-12
- Bogner releases updated versions of its Burnley, Harlow and Wessex pedals, Guitar.com, 2020-04-21
