The Two-Five Drive Boost is an analog overdrive pedal from Wren and Cuff that combines a drive circuit with a very high-output boost stage. Its defining feature is an internal 25V supply generated from a standard 9V input, which the maker says "opens things up considerably, creating an unusually wide dynamic range, more headroom, and more output"1. Wren and Cuff describes the response as "super reactive and feels powerful," and notes there is "a TON of output on tap," enough to peg the front end of an amp hard and push it into natural overdrive1. It sits between the site's overdrive pedals and boost pedals categories in function.
The 25V supply and the op-amp
Running the circuit at 25V from a 9V supply is the pedal's central design idea: Wren and Cuff calls it "25V OF PURE TONE WITH A 9V SUPPLY"1. The higher internal voltage is what produces the wide dynamic range and extra headroom the maker describes.
At the heart of the circuit is a JRC3404 op-amp, which Wren and Cuff describes as "a distant relative of the famous JRC4558 some covet for their use in vintage Tube Screamer pedals," chosen because it is tough enough to run at 25V while keeping a warm tone1.
The pedal was originally planned around an LM358 JFet op-amp, but no units were built with it: Wren and Cuff states "there are no units that have the LM358, all ended up with the JRC3404." Some online descriptions still incorrectly refer to the LM3581.
Controls and the voice switch
The EQ section has three controls named Lows, Mids, and Highs, styled after a vintage Fender amp's interactive tone stack. Wren and Cuff explains that turning down the treble cuts higher frequencies and also raises lower frequencies a bit, the way those amps behave, though the maker adds that "the pedal in no way sounds like a Fender"1.
The voice switch configures the clipping section in two different ways:
| Voice switch position | Clipping devices | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Up | Two LEDs | Wider range of dynamics, more open, somewhat cleaner, Fender-like; gain is more crunchy, cutting, and less saturated1 |
| Down | Two Mosfet transistors used as diodes, plus a germanium diode | Super rich, saturated gain, Marshall-like1 |
Power, size, and practical details
The Two-Five runs on a 9VDC center-negative adapter or a 9V battery and draws 8mA, a light load that most pedalboard power supplies can handle1. Bypass is true hard-wire, so the signal passes straight through when the pedal is off1. The enclosure measures 4.8" x 2.6" x 1.6" and weighs 10.5 oz1. It is made in the USA and carries a lifetime warranty1. Wren and Cuff also makes other drive and boost designs, such as the Super Russian fuzz with buffer/boost.
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Questions
Is the Wren and Cuff Two-Five true bypass?
Yes. Wren and Cuff lists the Two-Five Drive Boost as having true hard-wire bypass, so when the pedal is off, your guitar signal passes straight through the switch to the output without going through the circuit.
Does the Two-Five Drive Boost run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal can be powered by a 9VDC center-negative adapter or a 9V battery. Current draw is 8mA, which is light enough for most pedalboard power supplies.
What does the voice switch do on the Two-Five?
The voice switch configures the pedal's clipping section in two ways. Up position uses two LEDs for clipping, giving a wider dynamic range, a more open and somewhat cleaner sound with crunchy, cutting, less saturated gain. Down position uses two Mosfet transistors as diodes plus a germanium diode for rich, saturated, Marshall-like gain.
Is the Two-Five Drive Boost analog?
Yes. It is an analog pedal that runs its circuit at an internal 25V supply, which Wren and Cuff says creates an unusually wide dynamic range, more headroom, and more output from a standard 9V input supply.
Where is the Wren and Cuff Two-Five made?
The Two-Five Drive Boost is made in the USA, and Wren and Cuff backs it with a lifetime warranty.
How big is the Wren and Cuff Two-Five?
It measures 4.8 x 2.6 x 1.6 inches and weighs 10.5 oz, so it fits a standard enclosure footprint on a pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- Two-Five Drive Boost, Wren and Cuff
