The Master Effects Super Eight Hundred Plus is a bass preamp pedal based on the 1980s Gallien Krueger 800RB bass amplifier, the amp that popularized biamping, a 10dB pad, and an XLR DI jack in a bass head1. Master Effects describes it as the company's interpretation of that amp, and says it has the exact same tone as its baby brother, the Super Eight Hundred, with a few extra features added1. The current version, Version 2, was released in December 2025 and brought in the biamping feature and the 10dB pad from the original amp1.
A Gallien-Krueger 800RB in a pedal
The Gallien Krueger 800RB was a 1980s bass amplifier known for its biamping feature, its 10dB pad, and its XLR DI jack1. Master Effects built the Super Eight Hundred Plus to capture that amp's preamp section in a pedal, and Version 2 carries over the features that made the original distinctive1.
The core of the pedal is a 4-band active EQ that Master Effects describes as an active gyrator equalizer with boost and cut capabilities1. Internally, the circuitry boosts the 9V input to a plus and minus 15V voltage for maximum headroom in the equalizer section, just as the original amp did1. A 10dB pad helps prevent clipping when the pedal is used with active or other high output instruments1.
The pedal is housed in a 1590BB2 enclosure with top-mounted jacks, finished in a Black Sand texture powdercoat1. Like the standard Super Eight Hundred, it is assembled by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada1.
The controls
The control set follows the original amp's front panel. The Super Eight Hundred Plus carries the same controls as the Super Eight Hundred: Bass, Lo Mid, Hi Mid, Treble, Vol (gain), Master, and Boost2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bass | Low frequency band of the 4-band active EQ1 |
| Lo Mid | Low midrange band of the 4-band active EQ1 |
| Hi Mid | High midrange band of the 4-band active EQ1 |
| Treble | High frequency band of the 4-band active EQ1 |
| Vol (gain) | Sets the preamp gain level2 |
| Master | Sets the overall output level2 |
| Boost | Boost control, engaged by footswitch on the Plus1 |
On the standard Super Eight Hundred, the boost is handled by a toggle switch that engages or bypasses the boost control2. On the Plus, that function has been moved to a footswitch so you can engage it while playing1.
Biamping and the outputs
With the biamp switch on, you can select the crossover frequency, and there are independent volume controls for the high and low frequencies1. There are also independent 1/4 inch outputs for the high and low frequencies, so each frequency band can go to its own power amp or speaker setup, the way biamping worked on the original amplifier1.
With the biamp switched off, both 1/4 inch outputs carry the same full range signal1.
The Plus also includes the full sized XLR DI jack as found in the original amp, which sends a balanced DI signal direct to the front of house board or an audio interface1.
Power, price and warranty
The pedal uses a standard boss-style 9V power supply, the same as the standard Super Eight Hundred12. The internal voltage boost to plus and minus 15V happens inside the pedal, so no special high voltage supply is needed1.
The 1 year warranty on parts and labor does not cover damage from an improper power supply or misuse, so a standard boss-style 9V supply with the correct polarity matters1.
The price is $269 US plus shipping, as listed in October 2026. Shipping within Canada and the US is $20 US, and shipping to the UK, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan is $60 US1. Orders for the standard Super Eight Hundred typically ship within 2 to 4 weeks2.
Questions
What is the difference between the Super Eight Hundred and the Super Eight Hundred Plus?
The Plus has the exact same tone as the Super Eight Hundred but adds extra features: a footswitchable boost instead of a toggle switch, biamping with a selectable crossover frequency and independent volume controls for high and low frequencies, a 10dB pad, and a full sized XLR DI jack. The standard Super Eight Hundred keeps the same 4-band EQ and core preamp circuit.
Is the Super Eight Hundred Plus true bypass?
Yes. Master Effects specifies soft touch relay true bypass for the Super Eight Hundred Plus, the same bypass design as the standard Super Eight Hundred.
What power supply does the Super Eight Hundred Plus need?
It uses a standard boss-style 9V power supply. Internally, the circuitry boosts that 9V input to a plus and minus 15V voltage for maximum headroom in the equalizer section, matching the approach of the original amp.
Does the Super Eight Hundred Plus have an XLR DI output?
Yes. Version 2 includes a full sized XLR DI jack, as found in the original Gallien Krueger 800RB amp, which sends a balanced DI signal direct to the front of house board or an audio interface. There are also independent 1/4 inch outputs for high and low frequencies when biamping.
Where is the Super Eight Hundred Plus made?
Master Effects assembles the Super Eight Hundred Plus by hand in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Each pedal comes with a 1 year warranty on parts and labour, which does not cover damage from an improper power supply or misuse.
Sources (2)
- Super Eight Hundred Plus, Master Effects, 2025-12
- Super Eight Hundred, Master Effects (mastereffectspedals.com)
