The Rock N' Roll Relics Stinger Boost is a single-transistor boost pedal built on a Dallas Rangemaster-style circuit, with a switchable silicon and germanium circuit that lets you dial in everything from glassy bite to warm, vintage-style saturation. Premier Guitar describes its sound as classic midrange honk that cuts through any mix1. It sits in the wider family of boost pedals, and its Rangemaster lineage ties it to the treble booster tradition: the original Dallas Rangemaster design can pump out a respectable 24 dB boost in higher frequencies and push the amplifier into overdrive, according to DIY Fever's technical analysis2.
Controls and sound
The pedal keeps things simple: a single Boost knob offers everything from a subtle push to a full-on vintage-style gain boost1. The mode switch selects between two transistors, and each has its own character:
| Mode | Transistor | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Germanium | NOS Sanyo germanium | Smooth and warm boost1 |
| Silicon | NOS Fairchild silicon | Brighter, hard-edged push1 |
Both transistors are NOS (New Old Stock) parts, and the rest of the pedal's small components are all high-quality NOS, sourced from 1970s stockpiles. The pedal is built using a mix of NOS and modern components1.
The Rangemaster connection
The Stinger Boost features a Dallas Rangemaster-style circuit, but Premier Guitar reports it is modified beyond a typical Rangemaster to provide wider bandwidth, for more of a full-range, mid-focused boost1. That matters because the original Rangemaster was a germanium treble booster, a design that emphasizes the higher frequencies; DIY Fever notes that having a treble booster at the front of the signal chain helps shape the sound of the guitar into a driven amp2. The Stinger Boost's wider bandwidth aims that boost more at the midrange, which is where its described midrange honk comes from1.
Build, power and availability
The circuit is completely hardwired and uses vintage-style cloth wire, including a true bypass footswitch1. Power is 9 volts, via an external power supply or an on-board battery1.
Each Rock N' Roll Relics pedal is hand-aged and uniquely relic'd, making it look like it has spent 30 years on the road, according to Premier Guitar. The Stinger Boost is handwired in Hollywood and available from Rock N' Roll Relics dealers and direct from RockNRollRelics.net1.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Questions
Is the Rock N' Roll Relics Stinger Boost true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar reports the pedal has true bypass switching, and notes that the circuit is completely hardwired with vintage-style cloth wire, including a true bypass footswitch.
Does the Stinger Boost run on a battery?
It can. The pedal runs on 9 volts, either from an external power supply or from an on-board battery, so it can be used on a pedalboard with a supply or standalone without one.
What is the difference between the silicon and germanium settings?
According to Premier Guitar, the germanium mode provides a smooth and warm boost, while the silicon circuit delivers a brighter, hard-edged push. The switchable circuit lets you dial in everything from glassy bite to warm, vintage-style saturation.
Is the Stinger Boost a Dallas Rangemaster clone?
It is based on a Dallas Rangemaster-style circuit, but Premier Guitar reports it is modified beyond a typical Rangemaster to provide wider bandwidth for more of a full-range, mid-focused boost, rather than being a straight copy.
Where is the Stinger Boost made?
Premier Guitar reports that these pedals are handwired in Hollywood. The small components are high-quality NOS parts sourced from 1970s stockpiles, and the pedals are available from Rock N' Roll Relics dealers and direct from RockNRollRelics.net.
Sources (2)
- Rock N’ Roll Relics Launches Guitar Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2025-03-25
- Effects > Dallas Rangemaster : DIY Fever, DIY Fever (diy-fever.com)
