The Effectrode JV-1A Blue Bottle is a boutique mid boost pedal made in the UK, built as an all-tube, inductorized take on an old Pultec valve EQ. Effectrode announced it in January 2019 as a limited run, with production set to end once the supply of viable hardware for the circuit ran out1. It sits in the wider family of boost pedals, but its tube-based circuit and mid-focused EQ set it apart from the usual clean boost.
What it does
The Blue Bottle is a mid booster: rather than lifting the whole signal evenly, it pushes the midrange, where a guitar sits in a mix. Effectrode describes it as "an all-tube inductorized mid booster based on a Pultec tube EQ"1. With 18dB of all-tube gain available, the company says the pedal "can kick the preamp of your amp into overdrive with no problem at all"1, which puts it in territory that overlaps with overdrive pedals as well as boosts.
The control layout is deliberately minimal:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Mid Boost | Sets the amount of midrange lift from the inductorized EQ stage1 |
| Volume | Sets the pedal's output level1 |
As the announcement put it, "Two controls Mid Boost and Volume is all you need"1.
Where it came from
The pedal was developed with input from John Verity of the band Argent, and the JV in its name reflects that involvement1. The circuit itself draws on the Pultec tube EQ, a piece of vintage studio equipment known for its valve-based equalization, which Effectrode adapted into a pedal format1.
Power and switching
The Blue Bottle is true-bypass and includes what Effectrode calls "anti-pop" or "thump" foot switching circuitry, designed to keep the switch from making a noise when the pedal is engaged1.
The Blue Bottle runs on 12VDC at 600mA, center positive, and comes supplied with its own power supply1. That is different from the center negative standard most pedalboard power supplies and daisy chains are built around, so it needs its own supply or a compatible output.
What reviewers said
The announcement's writer, having heard the SoundCloud demos, described the pedal as sounding "pretty smooth and natural" and added, "I think it sounds pretty phenomenal"1.
Availability
The Blue Bottle is a boutique mid-boost pedal made in the UK by Effectrode, based on an old Pultec Valve EQ1. It is an all-tube, inductorized mid booster with true-bypass switching and 'anti-pop' or 'thump' foot switching circuitry1. Its price was listed as TBC at the time of the announcement1.
Videos
Effectrode
John Verity
Joe Perkins
Questions
What is the Blue Bottle based on?
The Blue Bottle is based on a Pultec tube EQ. Effectrode describes it as an all-tube, inductorized mid booster built around that old valve EQ circuit, and the pedal was developed with input from John Verity of Argent, whose initials give the JV-1A its name.
Does the Blue Bottle use a vacuum tube?
Yes. Effectrode describes the JV-1A Blue Bottle as an all-tube, inductorized mid booster, made in the UK. With 18dB of all-tube gain available, the company says the pedal can push the preamp of an amplifier into overdrive without difficulty.
What power supply does the Blue Bottle use?
The Blue Bottle comes supplied with a 12VDC, 600mA, centre positive power supply. That is not the centre negative standard most pedalboard supplies use, so players should plan to run it on its own supply rather than a shared daisy chain.
Will Effectrode keep making the Blue Bottle?
No. Production is limited and will cease once Effectrode runs out of viable hardware for the pedal. The pedal was announced as a limited run, so availability depends on the remaining supply of its components.
Sources (1)
- Effectrode JV-1A Blue Bottle Tube Booster, gearnews.com, 2019-01-23
