The Hamstead Soundworks Ascent is a clean boost pedal with a single control: one knob that delivers 20dB of gain. Hamstead describes it as "a high-grade clean boost pedal that delivers an exceptionally transparent 20dB of boost with high headroom," built around a VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier) circuit for what the maker calls an incredibly linear and transparent boost1. The signal path is all-analog, and the pedal is designed and built in Great Britain1.
What it does to your sound
The Ascent is a pure clean boost: it makes your signal louder without adding overdrive, EQ shaping or other coloration of its own. Hamstead promises "near-zero tonal coloration across the whole frequency range," a claim Guitar World repeated in its launch coverage3. Gearnews called it simply "a single-knob affair, providing 20 dB of transparent gain"4.
That transparency comes from two design choices. First, the VCA-based circuit, which Hamstead says gives an incredibly linear boost, so the signal comes out the same shape it went in, only louder1. Second, the internal power arrangement: the pedal runs on ±15V internally isolated rails, which the maker credits with a super-high 30V of headroom1. In practice, high headroom means the pedal can push a hot signal hard before it clips, which is the whole point of a clean boost. Players commonly use a boost like this to drive an amp harder, to lift a solo above the band, or to push an overdrive pedal into more saturation.
Controls and switching
There is one knob, and it sets the amount of boost, up to the full 20dB14. Switching is handled by an OptoKick footswitch, which Hamstead sources from Daniel Steinhardt and the team at TheGigRig1. The pedal can run in either buffered or true bypass mode, so it can sit at the front of a long cable run as a buffer or stay fully out of the chain when disengaged1.
Power and specifications
The Ascent accepts three supply voltages, all DC with a center-negative plug, and its current draw drops as voltage rises1:
At 165mA on 9V, the Ascent draws more current than many compact boosts, so a dedicated supply or an isolated output is the safer choice over a small daisy chain.
Other maker specifications: input impedance is 600K Ohms, the enclosure measures 70w x 130d x 65h mm including hardware, and it weighs 490g1.
Who made it, and how
The Ascent was designed by Peter Hamstead, whose design refinements the maker says are coupled with the pedal's VCA circuit1. Gearnews noted that his design includes the ±15V internally isolated power with the super-high 30V headroom4. Each pedal was hand soldered, signed and dated by the technician who built it, a detail Guitar World also highlighted at launch13. The maker covers it with a 5 Year Limited Warranty1.
Availability and pricing
At launch in July 2020 the Ascent sold exclusively through Reverb at $1992. Current maker pricing is given in pounds sterling: £129 including 20% VAT for the UK, and £107.50 for the US, EU and worldwide, with local taxes applying1.
Hamstead reports that a limited number of B-stock Ascents are available at over 20% off, at a sale price of £112.63, with light cosmetic damage on those units1.
What the press said
Coverage at launch was consistent on the pedal's core promise. Gearnews framed it as a boost pedal built by techs working with Queen, AC/DC and Iggy Pop, and summed it up as "a pedal that can boost your guitar signal by 20 dB"4. Guitar World called it "a pure clean boost pedal" offering "a whopping 20dB of gain" with the maker's promise of near-zero tonal coloration3. Guitar Player reported the Reverb-exclusive release and the July 24 shipping date for the first batch2.
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Questions
How much boost does the Hamstead Ascent give?
The Ascent provides 20dB of clean boost from a single knob. Hamstead describes it as exceptionally transparent, with near-zero tonal coloration across the whole frequency range, so the boost raises volume without changing the character of your tone.
Is the Hamstead Ascent true bypass?
It can be. The Ascent offers high quality buffered or true bypass operation, so you can choose which mode suits your setup. It also uses an OptoKick footswitch developed by Daniel Steinhardt and the team at TheGigRig.
What voltage does the Hamstead Ascent run on?
It runs on DC power, centre negative, at 9V drawing 165mA, 12V drawing 140mA, or 18V drawing 115mA. Internally it uses plus and minus 15V isolated power rails, which give it a 30V headroom figure for clean signal swing.
Who designed the Hamstead Soundworks Ascent?
Peter Hamstead, the designer behind Hamstead Soundworks, created the Ascent. His design uses a VCA-based circuit for a linear, transparent boost, and each pedal was hand soldered, signed and dated by the technician who built it.
Where is the Hamstead Ascent made?
The Ascent is designed and built in Great Britain. Each unit was hand soldered by the technician who assembled it, and that tech signed and dated the pedal.
What warranty does the Hamstead Ascent have?
Hamstead Soundworks covers the Ascent with a 5 Year Limited Warranty.
Sources (4)
- Ascent | Hamstead Soundworks, Hamstead Soundworks
- Hamstead Soundworks Unveils New Ascent Clean Boost Pedal, GuitarPlayer, 2020-07-14
- Hamstead Soundworks' Ascent is a pure clean boost pedal built by techs for AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Queen and more, Guitar World, 2020-07-06
- Hamstead Ascent boost pedal by techs working with Queen, AC/DC and Iggy Pop, gearnews.com, 2020-07-03
