The Supro 1303 Boost is a boost pedal from Supro, a name revived in recent years by the people behind Pigtronix pedals, with designer Thomas Elliot putting his expertise behind a new range of Supro pedals1. What sets it apart from a straightforward clean lift is a large three-way toggle switch that shapes the tone as well as boosting it, plus an expression pedal input for hands-free control1.
Controls and what they do
The pedal keeps its front panel simple: one knob and one switch, with the expression socket adding remote control1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume knob | 20dB of boost available; unity gain at around 11 o'clock; no sound at all fully anti-clockwise1 |
| Toggle switch | Three EQ flavors: flat, Bright or Dark1 |
| Expression input | Socket to take an expression pedal to control one specific parameter1 |
The toggle is the same large switch seen on the front of the recently-reviewed Supro Drive pedal. MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen explains what the two filtered settings do1:
"The Bright setting is a high-pass filter that rolls off some bottom-end for more perceived sparkle."
The Dark setting is the mirror image: a low-pass filter that tames the high-end for a warmer sound, which Curwen suggests might come in handy with particular amps1.
Power and practicalities
The pedal runs from a standard nine-volt power supply but can also take 18 volts for extra headroom1. It can also run from a battery, housed in an easy-access slide-out plastic tray on the pedal's side1.
Because the Volume knob gives no sound at all fully anti-clockwise, the pedal can also be used as a mute switch, cutting the signal entirely1.
The casing is a solid, if rather tall, brushed aluminum enclosure1.
Where it came from
Supro's move into pedals came with a new range of effects designed by Thomas Elliot, one of the company's designers, who put his expertise behind the line that includes the 1303 Boost2. The Boost arrived in a solid, if rather tall, brushed aluminum casing, and reviewers flagged its build quality as a strength2.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review, by Trevor Curwen, lists good build among its reasons to buy, and frames the pedal as offering something different from the norm among boost pedals1.
Videos
Supro
Supro
Reverb
Questions
Can the Supro 1303 Boost run on 18 volts?
Yes. MusicRadar's review notes that it runs from a standard nine-volt power supply but can also take 18 volts for extra headroom. Running at 18V gives the circuit more room before it clips, which players often use when pushing an amp or another pedal harder.
Does the Supro 1303 Boost take a battery?
Yes. Alongside the nine-volt power supply option, the pedal can run from a battery housed in an easy-access slide-out plastic tray on the pedal's side, so swapping a battery does not mean undoing the back plate.
Can the Supro 1303 Boost be used as a mute switch?
Yes. The single Volume knob gives no sound at all when turned fully anti-clockwise, so beyond its boost range the pedal can also serve as a mute switch, cutting your signal entirely between songs.
How much boost does the Supro 1303 give?
The single Volume knob offers 20dB of boost, with unity gain at around 11 o'clock on the dial. The three-way toggle adds flat, Bright or Dark filtering on top of that lift.
What does the expression input on the 1303 control?
The pedal has a socket to take an expression pedal to control one specific parameter. MusicRadar's review does not name which parameter the socket governs, so check the maker's documentation for that detail.
Sources (2)
- Supro 1303 Boost review, MusicRadar, 2017-06-03
- Musikmesse 2016: Supro unveils first guitar effects pedals, musicradar.com, 2016-04-04
