The Caswell Modern Electronics Boost 98 Bass Drive is a bass-oriented boost and overdrive focused on low end frequencies. It is a one-knob pedal: the single Volume control sets how much crunch comes through, from a touch of grit to what Pedal of the Day's reviewer called a full-blast overdrive sound. The pedal arrived in an army green enclosure, and the reviewer described it as getting "the speakers thumping in a heartbeat"1.
What it does to your sound
Caswell's design uses proprietary tone filtering aimed at boosting low end frequencies, which is what sets the Boost 98 apart from a general-purpose boost or overdrive pedal. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found it "Great for drop-tune players and bassists alike," saying it gets the speakers thumping and slices up a mix1. For a guitarist in drop tunings, that low-focused voicing is the point: it adds drive without thinning out the bottom of the sound the way a standard boost can.
Controls and power
There is one control, and the reviewer's advice on using it is simple1:
"Use your volume knob to add in the right amount of crunch, or crank it and this pedal up for a full-blast, rippin' overdrive."
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the amount of crunch, from light grit to full overdrive1 |
Power is standard: the pedal operates on a 9 volt battery, which is included, or on a 9 volt power supply with a negative center1. The switching is a 3PDT true bypass footswitch1.
How it relates to the Boost 90 Clean Drive
The Boost 98 is a one-knob pedal from Caswell Modern Electronics, and its single control shapes the whole pedal. The maker's guidance for the Volume knob is to "use your volume knob to add in the right amount of crunch, or crank it and this pedal up for a full-blast, rippin' overdrive"1. Pedal of the Day summed it up as "a one-knob gem that has one function and does it brilliantly, with no fuss, no muss and just some straight-up great tone"1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict was warm and short:
"a one-knob gem that has one function and does it brilliantly, with no fuss, no muss and just some straight-up great"
That review, published on 2 June 2016, is the main published account of the pedal; Pedal of the Day had previewed it earlier that year alongside its Boost 90 Clean Drive review12.
Videos
GavinC138
Bass Stuff
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Does the Caswell Boost 98 Bass Drive use a battery?
Yes. The pedal operates on a 9 volt battery, and one is included. It can also run on a 9 volt power supply with a negative center, so it fits a standard pedalboard power setup as well.
Is the Caswell Boost 98 Bass Drive true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review lists a 3PDT true bypass footswitch, so the pedal passes your signal untouched when it is switched off.
What power supply does the Boost 98 Bass Drive need?
A 9 volt power supply with a negative center, the same standard used by most pedals. A 9 volt battery is also included, so the pedal can run without a supply at all.
Can a guitarist use the Boost 98 Bass Drive for drop tunings?
Pedal of the Day's reviewer thought so, calling it great for drop-tune players and bassists alike. Its tone filtering is aimed at boosting low end frequencies, which suits low tunings where a regular boost can thin out.
How is the Boost 98 different from the Boost 90 Clean Drive?
The Boost 98 Bass Drive takes the same basic principles as the Boost 90 Clean Drive and reworks them for low end, using proprietary tone filtering focused on boosting low frequencies rather than a clean boost character.
Sources (2)
- Caswell Modern Electronics Boost 98 Bass Drive, Pedal of the Day, 2016-06-02
- Caswell Modern Electronics Boost 90 Clean Drive, Pedal of the Day, 2016-02-16
