The Lightning Boy II is a high-voltage tube-powered overdrive pedal with modular expandability, made by Lightning Boy Audio1. Running on a 12AX7 vacuum tube, the LBII promises real tube overdrive and amp headroom1. Its controls are simple: a single volume knob and a true bypass stomp switch1.
What it is and what it does
MusicRadar described the Lightning Boy II at launch as "a high-voltage tube-powered overdrive pedal with modular expandability," running on a 12AX7 and promising real tube overdrive and amp headroom1. The pedal is otherwise a simple stompbox: Delicious Audio's Christopher Scapelliti noted it is "a stompbox that otherwise is just either on or off," with a single Volume knob and a true bypass stomp switch12.
The high voltage is the design's core idea. Most tube pedals run their valve at low voltage, which limits how the tube behaves. The LB II instead runs at 100 volts internally2, and to drive that high voltage device, a powerful adapter is required, which is sold separately but is needed for the effect to function2.
The Lightning Boy II cannot run on a standard 9V DC pedal supply. It is powered by a 12V AC power supply, which cost $15 at launch, and the adapter is required for the pedal to function at all12.
How it differs from the original Lightning Boy
The LB II is a redesign of Lightning Boy Audio's original Lightning Boy pedal, and the differences are substantial. As Scapelliti reported2:
"The original pedal was low voltage (9v), not modular, and used a 12AU7 instead of a 12AX7"2
So the second version raises the internal operating voltage from 9 volts to 100 volts, swaps the 12AU7 for a 12AX7, and adds the modular sidecar port, a vent hole for the tube, and the required adapter arrangement2. The stock pedal ships with a J/J 12ZX7 tube standard, with an optional upgraded NOS 12AX7 made in the US for an extra $302.
Sidecar Modules and expansion
The sidecar port is the LB II's distinguishing feature. MusicRadar's headline at launch was that the "guitar stompbox offers expandability via Sidecar Modules"1. A Sidecar Module is a plug-in expansion unit that adds capability to the pedal through that port, turning the LB II from a single fixed overdrive into a modular platform.
The Lightning Boy II is built as a modular platform rather than a fixed stompbox, with expandability through plug-in Sidecar Modules1. The pedal itself runs on a 12AX7 tube and keeps its control set to a single volume knob with true bypass1.
Price and availability
"the main pedal with the adapter sells for $257.99-287.99 (depending on what tube you want)"2
That price reflects the required adapter and the tube choice, with the upgraded NOS 12AX7 adding $30 over the stock tube2.
The Lightning Boy II is a high-voltage tube-powered overdrive pedal with modular expandability, running on a 12AX7 vacuum tube that promises real tube overdrive and amp headroom1. Its control set is a single volume knob with a true bypass stomp switch1.
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Questions
Does the Lightning Boy II use a real vacuum tube?
Yes. The Lightning Boy II runs on a 12AX7 vacuum tube, and Lightning Boy Audio operates it at 100 volts internally, which is far above the 9 volts most tube pedals use. The original Lightning Boy pedal was low voltage (9v) and used a 12AU7 instead. An upgraded NOS 12AX7 made in the US was offered as an option for an extra $30.
What power supply does the Lightning Boy II need?
It is powered by a 12V AC power supply, which MusicRadar reported cost $15 at launch. Because the pedal runs its tube at 100 volts internally, a powerful adapter is required; Delicious Audio noted the adapter is sold separately but is needed for the effect to function. A standard 9V DC pedal supply will not run it.
What is a Sidecar Module?
A Sidecar Module is an expansion unit that plugs into the sidecar port on the Lightning Boy II, adding capability to the pedal. The CH2 Sidecar Module was the first, priced at $119 at launch. The design makes the LB II a modular platform rather than a fixed single-effect stompbox.
Is the Lightning Boy II true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's launch report describes the pedal as featuring a single volume knob and a true bypass stomp switch, so the signal path is bypassed entirely when the pedal is off.
How much does the Lightning Boy II cost?
At launch in March 2017 the Lightning Boy II was available now for $235, with the CH2 Sidecar Module at $119. Delicious Audio reported the pedal with the required adapter selling for $257.99 to $287.99 depending on tube choice, with an upgraded NOS 12AX7 adding $30.
Sources (2)
- Overdrive goes modular with Lightning Boy II tube-powered pedal, MusicRadar, 2017-03-07
- Lightning Boy Audio LB II High Voltage Tube Overdrive With CH2 Sidecar Module, Delicious Audio, 2017-03-24
