The Igneus Distortion & Boost is an analog pedal from UK maker Sutton Instruments that combines a booster with an overdrive-style distortion circuit. The maker describes it as "the definitive overdrive based on the best features of many overdrive pedals from the 70's," placing it among the overdrive pedals and boost pedals that players reach for to push an amp or add grit in front of one. It is aimed at both guitarists and bass players, which is unusual for a drive pedal.1
What it does
The Igneus gives you drive and a level lift in one enclosure, sitting between the distortion pedals and clean boosts on a board. Its EQ is handled by separate bass and treble controls, which RockBoard's PedalPedia says give "a wide range of EQ," so you can shape the low and high ends of the drive independently rather than working with a single tone knob.1
Switching between instruments is built in: the pedal is "suitable for guitar and bass by simply switching between heavy (bass) and light (guitar)." For a bass player, that heavy setting is what keeps the fundamental from collapsing under distortion, something covered in more depth on the bass pedals page.1
Voicing modes
Beyond the bass and treble controls, the Igneus offers voicing modes that change how the circuit handles the low end and mids1:
| Mode | What it does | Suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Deep | Tightens the low end and applies a smooth bump to the mid range; described as the most transparent setting | Players who want the pedal to stay out of the way of the core tone |
| Bright | Brings a glassy presence boost while tightening the lows even more than standard mode | Higher gain situations, per the maker |
The maker's description of Deep mode is worth quoting in full, since transparency is the selling point: "Deep mode is the most transparent setting. When engaged, the low end will tighten and a smooth bump will be applied to t"1
Power
The Igneus draws 10mA on an analog circuit, a light load by pedal standards that keeps it comfortable on a shared power supply alongside other pedals.1
Sutton Instruments
Sutton Instruments is a UK pedal maker whose range also includes the Del Fuego, a fuzz and boost inspired by a 1970s Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, and the Boostopia clean boost. The Igneus sits in that same territory as a drive-plus-boost design.1
Videos
Sutton Instruments
Bruce Manners Guitar Demos
Bruce Manners Guitar Demos
Questions
Can the Igneus be used with bass as well as guitar?
Yes. Sutton Instruments designed the Igneus for both instruments, and the pedal has a switch that toggles between a heavy setting intended for bass and a light setting intended for guitar. Combined with the separate bass and treble EQ controls, that lets a bass player keep the low end intact while still getting drive from the pedal.
What is the difference between the Deep and Bright modes?
Deep mode is described by the maker as the most transparent setting: engaging it tightens the low end and applies a smooth bump to the mid range. Bright mode brings a glassy presence boost and tightens the lows even more than standard mode, which Sutton Instruments suggests suits higher gain situations.
Sources (1)
- Igneus Distortion & Boost by Sutton Instruments, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
