The Sutton Instruments Boostopia is an analog clean boost pedal: it raises your signal level, up to 30 dB of it, without adding distortion of its own. It is handmade in Hessle, Yorkshire, and Guitar Pedal X's reviewer Stefan Karlsson described it as "superbly engineered for maximum surgical impact and resilience"1. If you are new to boost pedals, they are the simplest kind of effect: one knob's worth of extra level, used to push an amp or another pedal harder or to lift a solo above the band. You can read more about the type on the Boost Pedals page.
Controls and modes
The Boostopia keeps things simple: a Gain knob and a three-position Range selector1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | 0 to +30 dB of clean gain boost1 |
| Range: LOW | Hi-cut at 1.5kHz; a looser low end with a top end roll off, comparatively lo-fi and almost fuzz-like in character21 |
| Range: STD | Full frequency range; the most transparent setting, tightening the low end and applying a smooth bump to the midrange21 |
| Range: HIGH | Lo-cut at 350Hz; a glassy presence boost while tightening the lows even more than Standard mode21 |
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the three EQ modes as a way of shaping the tone to suit the player's needs2. Karlsson put the High mode to work in his own chain, saying he "used the High Mode to temper the low end of my Hello Sailor Effects Anchor Drive"1.
Where it came from
The Boostopia is not a design from scratch. Guitar Pedal X's review traces its lineage to the Del Fuego Ram's Head Muff + Boost, with the Boostopia being a stand-alone version of just the boost section1. Sutton Instruments builds other pedals around related ideas, including the Sutton Instruments Del Fuego fuzz and boost and the Igneus Distortion & Boost.
What reviewers said
Karlsson's review on Guitar Pedal X, published in December 2023, was warm on the circuit's character:
"the Boostopia is just one such marvel which has that supremely crisp Burr-Brown-opamp-like clarity when it hits"
On build quality, he found the pedals "incredibly beautifully put together in robust custom enclosures with superior components"1.
Using it on a board
Two practical points for players:
- After a distortion: RockBoard's PedalPedia says the Boostopia "offers a LOT more output than the average boost pedal if you need it"2, and Karlsson noted you can use it after a distortion as a transparent solo boost, just to punch through a mix while maintaining tone integrity1.
- Power: RockBoard's PedalPedia lists the current draw at 10mA2, a light load that suits a shared supply.
The £129 price and the retail channels, the Sutton Instruments webstore and Joe's Pedal Boutique, were reported in December 2023 and may have changed since1.
Videos
Pete Thorn
Sutton Instruments
Bruce Manners Guitar Demos
Questions
Is the Sutton Instruments Boostopia analog?
Yes. The maker lists the Boostopia as an analog circuit. It is a clean boost, meaning it raises the level of the signal without adding distortion of its own, and it evolved from the boost section of the Del Fuego Ram's Head Muff + Boost, according to Guitar Pedal X's review.
How much current does the Boostopia draw?
The maker lists the Boostopia's current draw at 10mA, a light load by pedal standards. That is low enough to sit comfortably on a shared power supply with other pedals, though you should still follow the maker's power requirements for voltage and polarity.
Where is the Sutton Instruments Boostopia made?
Guitar Pedal X describes the Boostopia as handmade in Hessle, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, built to what the reviewer called the most exacting standards in robust custom enclosures with superior components.
What do the Low, Standard and High modes do?
Low mode gives a looser low end with a top end roll off, a comparatively lo-fi, almost fuzz-like character. Standard mode is the most transparent, tightening the low end and adding a smooth midrange bump. High mode adds a glassy presence boost while tightening the lows even further.
Where can I buy the Sutton Instruments Boostopia?
As of the December 2023 review, the Boostopia was sold for £129 through the Sutton Instruments webstore and through Joe's Pedal Boutique.
Can the Boostopia be used after a distortion pedal?
Yes. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer noted it can be used after a distortion as a transparent solo boost to punch through a mix while maintaining tone integrity, and the maker says it offers a lot more output than the average boost pedal if you need it.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-14
- Boostopia Boost by Sutton Instruments, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
