The Greuter Audio Fokus is a clean boost pedal made in Switzerland. A clean boost lifts the level of a signal without adding distortion of its own, which makes pedals like this useful for pushing an amp harder, lifting a solo above a mix, or driving other overdrive pedals and fuzz pedals into their sweet spot. What sets the Fokus apart from a plain volume-boost box is its EQ: alongside the boost it carries bass and treble controls, so it can shape tone as well as raise it. Guitar.com's roundup of affordable pedals describes it as promising "20dB of transparent power coupled with strong EQ capabilities"1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | Raises the signal level, up to 20dB2 |
| Bass | Cuts or boosts the low end, +/- 15dB2 |
| Treble | Cuts or boosts the high end, +/- 15dB2 |
| Bandwidth knobs | Each EQ band's bandwidth is governed by a dedicated knob2 |
The +/- 15dB range on both EQ bands is wide enough to do more than trim: Guitar.com's reviewer, Michael Watts, notes that the Fokus offers that full cut and boost range across the bass and treble, with the bandwidth knobs shaping how broad or narrow each band's effect is2. That puts the pedal in territory shared with dedicated equalization pedals, though its core job remains boosting.
Construction and size
The Fokus is hand-wired, and Guitar.com credits the build directly: "Greuter avoids this sort of thing with the use of the highest quality components and hand-wired construction"2. The enclosure measures 65.5mm x 60mm x 120mm2, compact enough for a crowded board.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com reviewed the Fokus in November 2021 and later included it in its roundup of the best affordable effects pedals of 2021, calling it "An extremely high-quality and expressive unit"1. The same piece names it a hand-wired clean boost and a Swiss-made stompbox1.
Greuter Audio also builds drive pedals with boost sections, such as the Fuller Drive with Boost and the anniversary Fuller Drive 10 BOOST; the Fokus is the company's dedicated take on the boost side of that formula. For more on the type, see Boost Pedals.
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Questions
How much boost does the Greuter Audio Fokus give?
The Fokus offers up to 20dB of boost, which Guitar.com describes as transparent power. On top of that it carries bass and treble EQ knobs with a cut or boost range of plus or minus 15dB, so it can shape tone as well as lift the signal. Each EQ band's bandwidth is governed by its own dedicated knob.
Where is the Greuter Audio Fokus made?
The Fokus is made in Switzerland. Guitar.com's review lists it as a clean boost pedal made in Switzerland, and the same site's roundup of affordable effects pedals calls it a Swiss-made stompbox.
Is the Greuter Audio Fokus hand-wired?
Yes. Guitar.com's review describes the Fokus as hand-wired, and credits that construction, along with high-quality components, for avoiding problems the reviewer found in comparable pedals.
How big is the Greuter Audio Fokus?
Guitar.com lists the Fokus at 65.5mm x 60mm x 120mm, a compact enclosure that fits a standard pedalboard without taking much room.
How much does the Greuter Audio Fokus cost?
Guitar.com's November 2021 review lists the Fokus at £169. That is the price as stated in the review, in pounds sterling.
Sources (2)
- Gear Of The Year: Best Affordable Effects Pedal of 2021, Guitar.com, 2021-12-10
- Greuter Audio Fokus review: A boost to cut through the mix and the competition, Guitar.com, 2021-11-08
