The Hello Sailor Effects Dr Boogie is a high-gain distortion pedal built as a one-off by Joe of Hello Sailor Effects. Guitar Pedal X describes it as an even-tempered Dual Rec-style high-gain distortion using J113 JFETs, a softened and refined take on the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier format rather than a straight clone1. As of December 2025 the pedal is listed as one-off, retired and sold out2.
The controls
The Dr Boogie carries six external controls2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Output volume |
| Presence | Top-end lift and cut of the preamp style |
| Gain | Amount of distortion |
| Bass | Low EQ |
| Mids | Middle EQ |
| Treble | High EQ |
Beyond the front panel, the circuit carries internal trim-pots. Guitar Pedal X notes that if you want more bite in the circuit you can adjust those trim-pots, but that messing around with them is not always advised, so most players are best leaving them where the builder set them1.
Sound and circuit
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson frames the character this way:
"You can imagine this as a Dual Rec - but in a suit! Not quite the snarling dog any more - just a little more even"
In his view, Joe's version reduces feedback squeals, bite and wiriness while retaining the core flavor of the Dual Rec format, and external EQ can restore bite if a player wants more of it1. Most of the work in the circuit is done by J113 JFETs, Joe's preferred type, which give the pedal its more refined output1. In Guitar Pedal X's year-end roundup the pedal was called a highly unusual take on the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rec, where Joe has somewhat softened and refined the profile to his own ends2.
For context on the amp it draws from: Mesa/Boogie's own later overdrive pedals were built by the team who worked on their Mark Five and Dual and Triple Rectifier amps, which gives a sense of how central the Rectifier format is to the high-gain pedal world3.
Availability and price
Hello Sailor Effects works in small numbers: near enough all of Joe's pedals are unique one-offs1. The Dr Boogie appeared as a small batch, and the second batch is slightly different to Joe's original example shown in the accompanying circuit build video1. The reviewer's own unit was a Styracosaurus variant, and only the blue one of the batch remained at the time of the review1.
Pricing as reported:
- £260 GBP, the reviewer's unit at the Brighton Guitar Show, July 20251
- £300 and £260 GBP, prices shown on the HSE Webstore, July 20251
- £300 GBP, listed in Guitar Pedal X's 2025 year-end roundup, December 20252
The Dr Boogie is retired and sold out as of December 20252. With Hello Sailor Effects building one-offs and small batches, a used or show-purchased unit is the realistic route for players who want one.
Questions
Is the Hello Sailor Effects Dr Boogie based on a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier?
Guitar Pedal X describes it as a highly unusual take on the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rec, with builder Joe having softened and refined the profile in his own way. The reviewer's shorthand was a Dual Rec in a suit: more even tempered than the amp, but still carrying the core flavour of the format.
Is the Hello Sailor Effects Dr Boogie still available?
No. Guitar Pedal X lists the Dr Boogie as one-off, retired and sold out as of December 2025. Hello Sailor Effects builds pedals that are near enough all unique one-offs, so the pedal appears in small batches or single examples rather than as a standing product line.
How much did the Hello Sailor Effects Dr Boogie cost?
The reviewer's unit was priced at £260 at the Brighton Guitar Show in July 2025. At that time two units were listed on the HSE Webstore, one at £300 and one at £260. By December 2025 Guitar Pedal X listed the pedal at £300. Prices are in pounds sterling as given.
What are the internal trim-pots on the Dr Boogie for?
According to Guitar Pedal X, the internal trim-pots adjust bite in the circuit. The reviewer notes that messing around with them is not always advised, so they are best treated as a set-and-forget calibration rather than a routine tweak.
Does the Dr Boogie use JFETs or op-amps?
Guitar Pedal X reports that most of the work is done by J113 JFETs, the builder's preferred type, which give the circuit its more refined output. The pedal is a JFET-based high-gain distortion rather than an op-amp design.
Are all Hello Sailor Effects pedals one-offs?
Near enough. Guitar Pedal X says that near enough all of Joe's pedals are unique one-offs. The reviewer's own Dr Boogie was a Styracosaurus variant, and only the blue one of that batch remained by the time of the review.
Sources (3)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-07-08
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-05
- Mesa Boogie's New Overdrives: Cleo, Dynaplex And Gold Mine, Delicious Audio, 2021-01-28
