The BOSS FBM-1 is an analog overdrive pedal with EQ controls that recreates the tone of the 1959 Fender Bassman amplifier. BOSS developed it in conjunction with Fender, and RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as bringing "the natural, fat, rich, bright tone of the Fender Bassman to a BOSS pedal"1. It belongs to a small family of BOSS pedals built around licensed Fender amp designs, sitting alongside the FRV-1 63 Fender Reverb2.
The Fender connection
The FBM-1 is not a Fender-made pedal, but it is an officially licensed one. Fender Corporation licensed the use of the "Fender® Bassman®" name to BOSS for this pedal, as part of the same licensing arrangement that covered the "Fender® Deluxe Reverb®" name on the FRV-12. Combined with the development work done in conjunction with Fender, that makes the FBM-1 the maker's own take on one of the most copied amp circuits in guitar history, with Fender's blessing on the name12.
Controls and what they do
The pedal's control layout is taken straight from the amp it models. RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the same controls found on the original Bassman1:
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Presence | Top-end lift, as on the original Bassman panel |
| Treble | High-frequency EQ |
| Mid | Midrange EQ |
| Bass | Low-frequency EQ |
Because the pedal is an overdrive equalizer rather than a straight EQ, these controls shape the drive character as well as the tone, in the way the Bassman's own tone stack shapes its breakup1. For players comparing EQ pedals, the FBM-1 sits apart from graphic EQs like the Boss GE-7 7-Band EQ or the Boss EQ-200: those are tone-shaping tools for any rig, while the FBM-1 is a single-purpose preamp-style drive built around one amp's voice. It also differs from the BOSS EQ-20 Advanced Equalizer, which is a programmable EQ rather than an amp recreation.
Power requirements
The FBM-1 runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 36mA1. That is the standard BOSS polarity, so any conventional pedalboard supply output will suit it, but the 36mA draw is worth noting if you share outputs or daisy chain, since it is higher than many compact analog pedals draw.
At 36mA, the FBM-1 may exceed the per-output current limit of some older or low-output power supply outlets, so plan its place on a shared supply accordingly1.
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Questions
Is the BOSS FBM-1 analog or digital?
The FBM-1 is an analog pedal. Its circuit type is listed as analog, so it processes your guitar's signal with analog circuitry rather than digital modeling. That matters for players who build all-analog signal chains or who want to avoid conversion stages on their board. It is an overdrive equalizer pedal, meaning it combines drive with the tone-shaping controls taken from the amp it is based on.
What power supply does the BOSS FBM-1 need?
The FBM-1 runs on 9V DC with a center negative polarity, the same standard used by most BOSS pedals and common pedalboard power supplies. A standard 9V DC center negative supply or a matching output on a multi-output power supply will run it. Check the current draw figure when planning a daisy chain or a shared output on a pedalboard power supply.
How much current does the BOSS FBM-1 draw?
The FBM-1 draws 36mA. That is a modest figure by modern pedal standards, but it is higher than many simple analog BOSS pedals, so it is worth checking against the per-output limit of a pedalboard power supply, especially if you share an output with other pedals on a daisy chain.
Is the BOSS FBM-1 an official Fender product?
It is a BOSS pedal made under an official Fender license. Fender Corporation licensed the use of the name Fender Bassman to the FBM-1, so the pedal carries the Fender Bassman name legitimately. It was also developed in conjunction with Fender, according to BOSS's product information.
Which Bassman is the FBM-1 based on?
The FBM-1 is based on the 1959 Fender Bassman. BOSS describes the pedal as recreating the legendary tone of that amp, and it carries the same control layout as the original: Presence, Treble, Mid, and Bass EQ controls.
Sources (2)
- FBM-1 Fender 59 Bassman by BOSS, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Boss FRV-1 ’63 Fender Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2022-04-20
