The Free The Tone GIGS BOSON GB-1V is an overdrive pedal released on 20 October 2012, designed to cover a wide gain range that the maker says suits everything from Blues to Jazz to Rock1. It is no longer in production: Free The Tone's product page marks the GB-1V as discontinued, with a listed price of ¥25,300 including tax shown alongside that status1.
Controls and switches
The GB-1V keeps its control layout simple: three knobs and two small switches. Free The Tone lists the controls as GAIN, TONE and LEVEL, plus an INPUT Z switch that toggles input impedance between 1 megohm and 100 kilohms, and a GAIN BOOST switch21.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| GAIN | Adjusts gain2 |
| TONE | Tone control1 |
| LEVEL | Adjusts level2 |
| INPUT Z switch | Selects 1 megohm or 100 kilohm input impedance; works even with the effect off1 |
| GAIN BOOST switch | Boost switch; MusicRadar found engaging it "increases volume and saturation"3 |
MusicRadar's 2012 review described the layout this way: "At the top of the pedal are three rotary dials (level/tone/gain) which effect your choice of tones," with "small switches which offer input switch choices and a gain boost" underneath the first and last dials3.
The INPUT Z switch
The INPUT Z switch is the pedal's distinguishing control. It selects between 1 megohm and 100 kilohm of input impedance, and Free The Tone points out that it operates even when the effect is switched off, changing high-frequency nuance beyond what the tone circuit reaches1. In practice that means the switch shapes how your guitar's pickups interact with the pedal's input whether the overdrive is engaged or not.
The HTS circuit
Free The Tone fits the GB-1V with its HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit, which the maker describes as managing the signal holistically from input to output so that the effect sound and the bypass sound always keep the same quality1. The same page credits the pedal with a wide gain range covering Blues, Jazz and Rock1.
MusicRadar's review also noted "the benefit of silent on/off switching (no switch clicking)," and found the pedal offered "a broader dynamic range than usually associated with DC9V power supplies"3.
Power and specifications
The GB-1V runs on DC 9V and can be powered either by a 9V type 006P battery or by an AC adapter through its DC 9V input jack1. Current draw is about 9 mA1. A battery was included with the pedal as supplied, along with a warranty card, the owner's manual and four rubber feet1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input | 1/4-inch standard phone jack1 |
| Output | 1/4-inch standard phone jack1 |
| Input impedance | 1 megohm / 100 kilohm, switchable1 |
| Output load impedance | 10 kilohms or higher1 |
| Power | DC 9V, battery (9V type 006P) or AC adapter1 |
| Current draw | About 9 mA1 |
| Dimensions | 72 (W) x 115 (D) x 50 (H) mm, including protrusions such as the footswitch and jacks1 |
| Weight | About 230 g, excluding accessories1 |
The GB-1V is discontinued, so it is no longer in current production. Free The Tone's overdrive range includes other models such as the RED JASPER RJ-1V, Fire Mist FM-1V and OVERDRIVELAND ODL-1.
Where it sits
As an overdrive, the GB-1V belongs to the broad family of gain pedals covered in the site's guide to Overdrive Pedals. Its switchable input impedance and HTS bypass management set it apart from simpler three-knob designs, and its wide gain range places it alongside the other Free The Tone overdrives rather than in the narrower boost territory of dedicated Boost Pedals1.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Free The Tone Gigs Boson discontinued?
Yes. Free The Tone's product page for the GIGS BOSON GB-1V marks it as production ended, with a listed price of 25,300 yen including tax shown alongside that status. The pedal was released on 20 October 2012, so it had a long run before being discontinued.
What does the INPUT Z switch do?
The INPUT Z switch selects between 1 megohm and 100 kilohm of input impedance. Free The Tone notes that this function works even when the effect is switched off, and that the setting changes high-frequency nuance beyond what the tone circuit reaches, so it shapes how your guitar's pickups meet the pedal.
Does the GB-1V run on a battery?
Yes. The GB-1V runs on DC 9V and can be powered by a 9V type 006P battery or an AC adapter through its DC 9V input jack. A battery was included with the pedal as supplied, along with a warranty card, owner's manual and four rubber feet.
What is Free The Tone's HTS circuit?
HTS stands for Holistic Tonal Solution. Free The Tone describes it as a circuit that manages the signal holistically from input to output, so the effect sound and the bypass sound always keep the same quality and character.
Sources (3)
- GIGS BOSON / GB-1V｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
- GIGS BOSON / GB-1V｜Products 商品紹介｜Free The Tone, Free The Tone
- Hands on with the Free The Tone Gigs Boson Overdrive and Iron Forest Distortion pedals, MusicRadar, 2012-11-30
