The Boss EQ-200 is a graphic equalizer pedal for guitar, bass, and other instruments, made by Boss as part of its 200 series. Guitar World describes it as "a precision tone-shaping tool for guitar, bass, and other instruments", and it includes a graphic display that shows the current EQ curve at a glance1.
What it does to your sound
A graphic EQ splits the signal into fixed frequency bands, here ten of them, each with its own slider for cutting or boosting. The EQ-200's two channels mean you can set up, for example, a scooped rhythm sound and a mid-forward lead sound and change between them with one press, which is what Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio highlighted as "Two EQ Channels for instant A/B switching"4.
The channels are not limited to one at a time. Delicious Audio describes the pedal as offering "Dual 10-band EQs that can be used in stereo, parallel, or series"4, and Boss's own launch material confirmed that "Channels can be configured for stereo, parallel, or series operation"1. In practice that means the pedal can sit in a stereo rig shaping the left and right sides, split the signal into two separately equalized paths, or act as two EQs in a row.
Controls and display
The front panel follows the graphic EQ layout Guitar World's reviewers listed as "10 band sliders, 1 master level, Channel, Memory"5: ten sliders for the bands, a master level, a channel selector and a memory control.
- 10 band sliders: set the cut or boost for each of the ten frequency bands5
- Master level: sets the overall output5
- Channel: switches between the two EQ channels54
- Memory: stores and recalls settings5
The pedal also shows what it is doing. Boss's launch release described "a graphic display that shows the current EQ curve at a glance"1, and Delicious Audio's later buying guide noted that the settings "are visualized on the LCD screen"6. For a player, that means the display draws the EQ curve you have built rather than leaving you to read it off the slider positions.
Where it came from
Boss positions the EQ-200 as "a precision tone-shaping tool for guitar, bass, and other instruments"1, with a graphic display that shows the current EQ curve at a glance1. The pedal is supported with drivers listed on Boss's product support pages, including support for macOS 10.123.
Who it suits
Boss says the band configuration can be optimized "for all types of instruments, from electric and acoustic guitars to bass" and beyond, including keyboards2. Reviewers have treated it as a flexible, do-everything EQ: Guitar World's buying guide called it "the utility EQ of dreams, with features that speak to practically every flavour of guitarist"5, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio wrote that "The EQ-200 is the most flexible compact EQ ever created for guitar and bass"4.
If you are comparing it within Boss's own range, the Boss EQ-20 Advanced Equalizer sits elsewhere in the lineup, and the Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ is the company's long-running analog seven-band option. For how EQ pedals fit a board more broadly, see Equalization Pedals.
Videos
Pete Thorn
BOSSchannel
Science of Loud
Questions
How many bands does the Boss EQ-200 have?
The EQ-200 is a 10-band graphic equalizer, and it carries two of those 10-band channels at once. Each channel has its own set of band sliders plus a master level, and you can switch between the two channels instantly for A/B comparison or use them together in stereo, parallel or series configurations.
Can the Boss EQ-200 run in stereo?
Yes. The pedal has stereo inputs and stereo outputs, and its two 10-band EQ channels can be configured for stereo, parallel or series operation. On a That Pedal Show demo, presenter Mick Taylor said of the stereo option, "oh man does that mean you can do different eq's left and right I believe so", suggesting different EQ settings on each side.
Does the Boss EQ-200 show the EQ curve on a display?
Yes. Boss gave the EQ-200 a graphic display that shows the current EQ curve at a glance, so you can see the shape you are dialling in rather than judging it by slider positions alone. The settings are visualized on the LCD screen as you adjust the bands.
Is the Boss EQ-200 for bass as well as guitar?
Yes. Boss describes the EQ-200's band configuration as suiting electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards and beyond, and Premier Guitar called it a precision tone-shaping tool for guitar, bass, and other instruments. Guitar World's reviewers went further, calling it the utility EQ of dreams with features for practically every flavour of guitarist.
Sources (6)
- BOSS Introduces 200 Series Effect Pedals, Guitar World, 2019-06-13
- BOSS - EQ-200 | Graphic Equalizer, BOSS (www.boss.info)
- BOSS - Support - EQ-200 - Updates & Drivers, BOSS
- BOSS EQ-200 Graphic Equalizer, Delicious Audio, 2020-11-17
- Best EQ pedals 2026: tame your tone, Guitar World, 2021-12-22
- 2023 UPDATE! Best EQ Pedals For Guitar: Graphic & Parametric, Delicious Audio, 2023-12-13
