The JHS Solo Boost is a limited edition boost pedal from JHS Pedals, built around two different boost circuits in one small enclosure. JHS describes it as a loud and clean boost: "it simply takes your guitar, makes it louder without adding any distortion"1. Because it was a limited release, only 817 pedals were available1.
The controls: a big red knob and a side switch
The Solo Boost keeps things simple. There is one large control on top and one small switch on the side, and together they cover everything the pedal does1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Big red knob | The volume or gain of the boost. Turning it up makes the pedal louder without adding distortion, and at higher settings it can be used to distort the amp1 |
| Tiny side switch | Switches between the pedal's two boost circuits1 |
The two circuits the switch selects between are:
- FET boost: a field effect transistor boost, which JHS says "was made famous by the Keeley Katana"1
- Classic op amp style boost: "much like you'd find in the MXR Micro Amp or how many people like to use the Klon nowadays - gain off and just using the" pedal for volume boost1
Where it came from
The Solo Boost was originally planned for Spring 2020. JHS says the release "got pushed back to Spring 2020" and the pedal ended up arriving two years later, by which point the limited run stood at 817 pedals1.
The Solo Boost is a limited edition release of 817 pedals1. Once that run is gone, JHS has not indicated further production.
Related JHS boost pedals
Other boost pedals from JHS Pedals covered on Tonebox include the JHS Fumble clean boost, the JHS Fumble Mini Boost, the JHS MiniBomb, the JHS Banana Boost and the JHS Germanium Boost.
Videos
JHS Pedals
JHS EXTRA
Theo And His Pedals
Questions
How many JHS Solo Boost pedals were made?
The Solo Boost was a limited release, and JHS Pedals stated that only 817 pedals were available. The pedal was originally planned for Spring 2020 but was delayed, and by the time it arrived two years later the run stood at 817 units.
What are the two modes on the JHS Solo Boost?
A tiny switch on the side of the pedal selects between two boost circuits: a FET boost, short for field effect transistor boost, which JHS says was made famous by the Keeley Katana, and a classic op amp style boost similar to the MXR Micro Amp or to how many players use a Klon with the gain off, purely for volume.
Does the JHS Solo Boost add distortion?
No. JHS describes the Solo Boost as a loud and clean boost that simply takes the guitar and makes it louder without adding any distortion. Turning the knob up can be used to push the amp into distortion, but the pedal itself stays clean.
Is the JHS Solo Boost still available?
The Solo Boost was announced by JHS Pedals as a brand new, limited release pedal. Because it was a limited edition run of 817 pedals, availability depends on whether units remain from that run.
Why was the JHS Solo Boost delayed?
JHS Pedals originally planned the Solo Boost for Spring 2020, and the pedal ended up arriving two years after that planned date. The company noted the delay and the eventual limited run of 817 pedals on its product page.
Sources (1)
- JHS SOLO BOOST, JHS Pedals
