The Correct Sound Custom BETA is a bass preamp pedal from Correct Sound Custom, a Russian pedal company. It is based on the SUNN Beta Bass amp, and it carries that amp's two-channel layout: dual channels with separate EQ controls for each, each with a 3-band EQ. When it was introduced in October 2012, it was available to order through the company's website for $345, hand-built to order in Russia1.
Controls and channels
The control set follows the amp it is modeled on. Controls include Drive, Bass, Mid, Treble, and Volume, with a Master Volume to control the overall output1. Each channel carries its own separate EQ, so the two sides of the pedal can be voiced differently1.
The two channels can also be combined for enhanced tweakability, rather than the pedal forcing a choice between one channel and the other1. That is faithful to the original SUNN hardware: Guitar World notes that the original Sunn Beta Lead's input configuration was such that users could plug into either channel, or both at the same time2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Drive | Drive control for the channel1 |
| Bass, Mid, Treble | 3-band EQ, separate per channel1 |
| Volume | Channel level3 |
| Master Volume | Controls the overall output1 |
The SUNN Beta circuit behind it
The Beta Bass and Beta Lead preamps have drawn steady interest from builders and pedal makers. The Guitar FX Layouts project published a vero layout of the Sunn Beta preamp circuit in March 2016, describing it as a single channel version of the Sunn Beta Bass and Lead preamps; a commenter there traces the circuit's lineage back further, calling it the preamp section of the Sunn Model T amp4.
"This is only a PreAmp. You still need a Poweramp."
That distinction matters for any preamp of this kind, the BETA included: a preamp shapes the signal but does not drive a speaker on its own. Commenters on the layout suggest running it into an amp's effects return or a power amp, and note that the original Betas had a solid state power section4. Guitar Pedal X, reviewing a pedal built on the Beta Lead circuit, observed that the Beta Lead and Beta Bass preamp has quite a large circuit for active EQ, and that it has a little too much treble for that reviewer's taste5.
The circuit has since appeared in other makers' pedals as well. Hilbish Design offers a Beta preamplifier with independent channel level controls, which the maker says allows a traditional mono setup or a stereo setup using the individual channel inputs and outputs3.
Power, bypass and ordering
The BETA needs an 18V adapter, and one is not included in the box. Check that your supply is rated for 18 volts before wiring it onto a board.
The pedal features true bypass, so its circuit drops out of the signal path when switched off1. Power comes from an 18V adapter, which is not included1. At its 2012 introduction, the pedal was available to order through Correct Sound Custom's website for $345, hand-built to order in Russia1.
Videos
CORRECT SOUND Custom
CORRECT SOUND Custom
Questions
Is the Correct Sound Custom BETA true bypass?
Yes. No Treble's announcement of the pedal states that the Correct Sound Custom BETA features true bypass, so the pedal's circuit is taken fully out of the signal path when it is switched off. It is powered by an 18-volt adapter, which is not included with the pedal.
What power supply does the Correct Sound Custom BETA need?
The BETA runs on an 18-volt adapter. No Treble lists the power requirement as an 18V adapter and notes that one is not included, so you will need to supply your own supply rated for that voltage.
Does the BETA come with a power adapter?
No. The pedal is powered by an 18-volt adapter, and No Treble's report on the pedal specifies that the adapter is not included. Plan to use your own 18V supply.
Which amp is the Correct Sound Custom BETA based on?
The BETA is based on the SUNN Beta Bass amp. No Treble describes the pedal as having dual channels with separate EQ controls for each, following the two-channel layout of the original amp.
Where is the Correct Sound Custom BETA made?
The BETA is hand-built to order in Russia. No Treble, reporting on the pedal's introduction in October 2012, describes Correct Sound Custom as a Russian pedal company and notes the build-to-order arrangement.
Can you use both channels of the BETA at once?
Yes. No Treble reports that the two channels can be combined for enhanced tweakability, so you are not limited to choosing one channel at a time. This follows the original SUNN Beta Lead's input arrangement, where players could plug into either channel or both at the same time.
Sources (5)
- Correct Sound Custom Introduces BETA Bass Preamp Pedal, No Treble, 2012-10-18
- Hilbish Design and Red Fang cram the Sunn Beta Lead into new Night Destroyer preamp pedal, Guitar World, 2020-09-28
- Beta Preamplifier, Hilbish Design
- Guitar FX Layouts: Sunn Beta Preamp, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2016-03-02
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-10-27