The Boss Tone kit is a DIY fuzz pedal kit from UK maker Jed's Ped's. It recreates the Jordan Boss Tone, a vintage plug-in fuzz unit whose simple two-transistor circuit, in Jed's Ped's words, was "used on many a classic riff"1. Despite the name, it has no connection to BOSS, the Japanese effects maker: Jed's Ped's states plainly that "there is no endorsement or approval from any manufacturer and this information is for comparison only"1.
The circuit it recreates
The Jordan Boss Tone was a fuzz/distortion unit built around two transistors and two capacitors. As Paolo De Gregorio of Delicious Audio described it, the circuit "produced a wide range of fuzzy tones with long sustain", running from smooth to piercing and often carrying a hint of a lower octave. The original was a little box that plugged directly into the guitar jack, with a pedal version coming later2.
The design spread widely. JHS Pedals' history of Jordan Electronics notes that "tons of companies copied this device (Dan Armstrong, Vox, Electro Harmonix, etc.)"3, and Guitar World adds that "thanks to its simple circuit, numerous clones and DIY kits abound"4. Electro-Harmonix later revamped the design as the Satisfaction Fuzz, which Jed's Ped's calls the circuit "set free under a different guise"1. The Boss Tone kit sits in that same lineage.
What the build involves
Jed's Ped's describes the kit as "suitable for a beginner to try out but a worthy build for any fuzzy type person"1. It is not solder-free, though:
- You will have to identify components
- You will need to calculate resistor codes
- You must be able to solder them into place
- All kits require full assembly; images of completed PCBs are for reference only1
The PCB hangs from the pots inside the enclosure, so the pots do double duty as mounting hardware1. You will need 2 knobs for the kit, and Jed's Ped's suggests medium sized ones1.
Versions and options
The kit comes in four versions, from a bare board to a drilled, ready-to-populate box1:
| Version | What you get |
|---|---|
| PCB Only | Just the plain PCB |
| PCB & Components | PCB, onboard components and any pots and toggle switches |
| Full Kit | As above, with undrilled enclosure and off-board components (footswitch, jacks, 9v, LED) |
| Case Drilling | Full Kit with drilled enclosure, an optional extra with a small surcharge |
Pre Built Kits have a 1 to 4 week build time, so order ahead if you need one for a specific date1.
Price and availability
The kit is listed at £27.00 GBP on Jed's Ped's product page as of 26 October 20261. That price is in British pounds as the maker lists it; it is a UK product page.
Questions
Is the Boss Tone kit suitable for a beginner?
Jed's Ped's says the kit is suitable for a beginner to try out, but it can be challenging. You will need to identify components, calculate resistor codes and solder them into place. It is described as a worthy build for any fuzzy type person, so a first-time builder with patience and a soldering iron can take it on.
What is the Boss Tone kit based on?
The kit compares to the Jordan BossTone, a vintage two-transistor fuzz unit, and more recently to the Electro-Harmonix Satisfaction Fuzz, which Electro-Harmonix revamped from the same circuit. The original Jordan design was copied by Dan Armstrong, Vox, Electro-Harmonix and others, and numerous clones and DIY kits abound thanks to its simple circuit.
Does the Boss Tone kit come with an enclosure?
Yes. The kit is supplied with a JP1590B enclosure. The Full Kit version includes the enclosure undrilled, and the Case Drilling option is a Full Kit with the enclosure drilled for a small surcharge. The PCB hangs from the pots inside the enclosure.
What is the difference between Full Kit and Case Drilling?
The Full Kit includes the undrilled JP1590B enclosure plus off-board components such as the footswitch, jacks, 9v connection and LED. Case Drilling is the same Full Kit but with the enclosure drilled, offered as an optional extra with a small surcharge.
How long do pre built Boss Tone kits take?
Pre Built Kits have a 1 to 4 week build time, according to Jed's Ped's. Note that all kits require full assembly, and any images of completed PCBs on the product page are for reference only.
Is the Boss Tone kit made by BOSS?
No. Despite the name, the kit is not made by BOSS, the Japanese effects company. It is a DIY kit from UK maker Jed's Ped's that recreates the Jordan Boss Tone fuzz. Jed's Ped's states there is no endorsement or approval from any manufacturer and the comparison information is for reference only.
Sources (4)
- Boss Tone, Jed's Ped's
- The 3 Best Fuzz Pedals Per Type, In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-15
- THE LEGACY OF JORDAN ELECTRONICS, JHS Pedals
- The Jordan Boss Tone fuzz is the original guitar plug-in, Guitar World, 2025-04-08
