The BSM VX-T Treble/Mid Boost is a germanium treble-midrange booster pedal from BSM, built as an almost identical copy of the second issue of the British Vox Treble & Bass booster from the late 1960s, but with increased gain and a slightly modified tone network that pronounces the mid frequencies. BSM calls it the perfect treble-midrange booster in its range, and its sound sits in between the BSM VX-C Classic Treble & Bass booster and the RMG Treble Booster, with more gain than either1.
The tone pot
The VX-T's defining control is its tone pot. BSM says the VX-T model includes a tone control which allows an extraordinary amount of versatility, and the maker describes three distinct characters across its travel1:
| Tone pot setting | What BSM says it produces |
|---|---|
| Minimum | A bluesy bottom with enough mids and a little bit of shimmering highs, with the bass never getting wooly1 |
| Middle | A punchy tone with mild highs and a tight and powerful bass bottom1 |
| Maximum | A very glassy tone, which BSM compares to the "jinge jangle" sound of Roger McGuinn during his mid-60s time with the BYRDS, but with more gain than the RMG and VX-C1 |
That spread is the point of the pedal: where a straight treble booster commits to one frequency balance, the tone network lets the player dial from a bluesy low-and-mid setting up to a glassy jangle, with the midrange emphasis that separates the VX-T from BSM's purer treble booster designs such as the BSM RM Treble Booster1.
Where it came from
The VX-T belongs to the germanium booster tradition. BSM notes that almost all British rock guitarists using single coil pickup guitars used some type of germanium booster from the late 60s onward, and the VX-T is the company's take on that circuit with the gain raised and the tone network reshaped toward the mids1. The maker's page also refers to VX-T + 5dB and VX-T + 8dB variants, observing that the VX-T + 8dB is too heavy for an AC-151.
Power
The unit is powered by a single 9V battery, with a current consumption of approximately 35 mA. For even more clean headroom, you can also power the unit with 18V using optional external power1.
BSM states that the negative pole of the battery is ground. With a draw of around 35 mA, the VX-T is worth planning your pedalboard power around: check what your supply offers at 9V before daisy chaining, and only use an 18V output if it is a dedicated, regulated one.
Questions
Is the BSM VX-T true bypass?
Yes. BSM states on the product page that the VX-T Booster is 100% true bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it. The unit runs on a single 9V battery, and the negative pole of the battery is ground, which matters if you plan to use an external power supply.
What is the difference between the VX-T and the VX-C?
Both are BSM pedals based on the British Vox Treble & Bass booster, but the VX-T has increased gain and a slightly modified tone network that pronounces the mid frequencies, making it the treble-midrange booster of the pair. BSM describes the VX-T's sound as placed in between the VX-C Classic Treble & Bass booster and the RMG Treble Booster, with more gain than either.
Does the BSM VX-T come in a higher-gain version?
The VX-T itself is already the higher-gain take on the Vox design: BSM describes it as an almost identical copy of the second issue of the Vox unit, but with increased gain and a slightly modified tone network. The maker's page also refers to VX-T + 5dB and VX-T + 8dB variants, noting the + 8dB version is too heavy for an AC-15.
Who designed the BSM VX-T?
The pedal comes from BSM, whose tech-head and mastermind is Mr. Bernd C. Meiser, according to the maker's own product pages. BSM's range of treble boosters and related designs is built around his work on germanium booster circuits and replicas of classic British booster units.
Sources (1)
- VX-T Treble/Mid Boost, treblebooster.net, 2025
