The Danelectro Billion Dollar Boost is a boost pedal in the company's Billionaire line, sold under the model name BB1. It carried a UK rrp of £79.99 at launch1.
What it does to your sound
Danelectro's own description, quoted in the launch coverage, is that the pedal "boosts all frequencies, plus provides pure pre-amp clean with lots of gain", staying clean and crisp with the volume at 50% or less but pushing the amp into crunchy bite past that point1. Delicious Audio's product page puts it the same way: a crisp clean tone at half volume or under, and a hit to the amp for crunchy bite above it2.
MusicRadar's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, heard it in two stages with a clean amp: "At lower levels with our clean amp it delivered a touch of airy enhancement and extra clarity, while further on it was a" source of breakup, grit and crunch3. The Bass and Treble knobs each offer practical cut and boost, so the pedal works as a light EQ as well as a level push3.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets boost level; unity gain at about 10 o'clock, with plenty of signal driving capability above that3 |
| Treble | Cuts or boosts treble3 |
| Bass | Cuts or boosts bass3 |
| Flat/Low Cut mini switch | Selects a flat boost across all frequencies or a boost that rolls off some bottom end3 |
| Bypass footswitch | Turns the effect on and off4 |
The Low Cut side of the switch earned a specific mention from Guitar.com's reviewer, Michael Watts, who found the flat/low cut switch very effective in band rehearsals4.
Where it came from
Danelectro's claim, as MusicRadar reports it, is that the Billion Dollar Boost is a reissue of a 1980s "secret weapon of A-list Irish and Brit rockers"3. The reviewer concluded the circuit is most likely based on the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier, the pedal The Edge used3. Danelectro describes the sound as "The secret weapon of Irish and British alt-rockers"4.
The Billion Dollar Boost was released in the Billionaire series under the model name BB1, with a UK rrp of £79.991.
What reviewers said
"Danelectro comes good here with plenty of available gain, and bass and treble controls. There’s also a flat/low cut switch"
MusicRadar's verdict was that the pedal is versatile, with very few reasons to avoid it, and that it is a solidly built pedal3. The reviewer's strongest praise was for stacking: "Where we really liked it though was in front of a drive pedal where it laid the perfect jumping off platform to another" pedal3. That makes it a natural fit for players who use a boost as a clean volume and EQ push into an overdrive or distortion pedal rather than as a standalone effect.
Delicious Audio's page also points to a video review by EytschPi42, described as a new convert to the pedal2.
Videos
R.J. Ronquillo
intheblues
Brett Kingman
Questions
What does the Low Cut switch do on the Billion Dollar Boost?
The mini toggle switch selects between a flat boost across all frequencies and a low cut setting that rolls off some of the bottom end. MusicRadar's reviewer found the flat/low cut switch very effective in band rehearsals, where trimming bass can help a boosted signal sit better in a mix.
Where is unity gain on the Billion Dollar Boost volume knob?
According to MusicRadar's review, unity gain sits at about 10 o'clock on the Volume knob. Below that the pedal is roughly level with your clean tone, and above it there is what the reviewer described as loads of signal driving capability to push your amp or the next pedal harder.
Can the Billion Dollar Boost be stacked in front of a drive pedal?
Yes. MusicRadar's reviewer said this is where the pedal worked best, calling it the perfect jumping off platform in front of a drive pedal. The pedal's clean pre-amp design and generous gain on tap make it well suited to stacking.
Did The Edge use the pedal the Billion Dollar Boost is based on?
The Billion Dollar Boost is presented as a reissue of a 1980s pedal used by A-list Irish and Brit rockers. MusicRadar's reviewer concluded that it is most likely based on the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier, which The Edge used. Danelectro itself describes the sound as the secret weapon of Irish and British alt-rockers.
Sources (4)
- Danelectro launch Billionaire Pedals, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2018-01-16
- Danelectro Billion Dollar Boost, Delicious Audio, 2018-08-20
- Danelectro Billion Dollar Boost review, MusicRadar, 2018-04-29
- Danelectro Billionaire Pedals, Guitar.com, 2018-03-21
