The Yerasov FETube Uber Higain UH-5 is a stomp box guitar preamp that combines four functions in one enclosure: preamp, cab sim, distortion and equalizer. It is an analog circuit built on Yerasov's FETube technology, which is based on JFETs, junction field-effect transistors used to imitate the behavior of tube stages. according to RockBoard's PedalPedia, this "gives you the sound and feel of a real tube amp"1.
Because the cab simulation is built in, the UH-5 is aimed at players who want an amp-like preamp without carrying an amplifier: into a flat-response power amp, a audio interface, or the front of an amp set clean. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as a pedal that "efficiently recreates tube dynamics and reacts on your picking just right, carefully delivering all details of your playing"1.
The FETube approach
The UH-5 belongs to Yerasov's FETube preamp series. RockBoard's PedalPedia states that "All our FETube preamps were inspired by real hall of fame amplifiers", with the Uber Higain model taking the high-gain slot in the range1. Siblings in the series include the Yerasov FETube Vital Higain VH-5 and the Yerasov FETube Deutsch Higain DH-5, and Yerasov also makes the Gamma DS-1 Distortion1.
Power and practical notes
The UH-5 runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug and draws 400mA1. That is a substantial draw for a single pedal, well above what a typical daisy-chain output or a 9V battery can deliver, so plan a dedicated supply output rated for the full current.
With a 400mA current draw1, the UH-5 needs its own supply output. Sharing power with other pedals on a daisy chain is likely to cause problems.
An English manual for the UH-5 is published by Yerasov as a PDF at yerasov.com, linked from the product's listing1.
Where it sits on a board
As a preamp with distortion and EQ on board, the UH-5 covers ground that players otherwise split across separate preamp pedals, distortion pedals and equalization pedals, with the speaker simulation stage built in for direct recording or silent use1.
Videos
Gary Guitarplayer
Sources (1)
- FETube Uber Higain UH-5 by Yerasov, RockBoard (PedalPedia), 2026
