Dunlop

119
Summer 2018 GuitariSt
VERDICT: Versatility in a boost pedal –
a clean or a tonally focused boost of
your own choosing
dunlop suhr
Tech Spec
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Boost pedal
FEATURES: Selectable
true or buffered bypass,
switchable modes, FX link
external switching, low
battery monitor, up to
26dB of boost
CONTROLS: Boost, Mid
Boost, Mid Q, Freq switch,
FX Link switch, bypass
footswitch
CONNECTIONS:
Standard input, standard
output, FX Link
POWER: 9V-18V adaptor
(not supplied) 15mA
DIMENSIONS: 67 (w) x
114 (d) x 47mm (h)
9
Tech Spec
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Preamp/
Boost pedal
FEATURES: True bypass,
up to 11dB of boost
CONTROLS: Gain, Bypass
footswitch
CONNECTIONS:
Standard input,
standard output
POWER: 9V battery or 9V
DC adaptor (not supplied)
12mA
DIMENSIONS: 63 (w) x
110 (d) x 50mm (h)
8
MANUFACTURER
WESTSIDE DISTRIBUTION
MODEL
ECHOPLEX PREAMP
MANUFACTURER
SUHR UK
MODEL
KOKO BOOST RELOADED
PRICE
£139
CO N TAC T
0844 326 2000 / WWW.JIMDUNLOP.COM
PRICE
£199
CO N TAC T
WWW.SUHR.COM
Koko Boost Reloaded £199Echoplex Preamp £139
P
erhaps the best of both worlds,
this pedal has two modes –
clean and mid boost. These
are both accessible from the same
footswitch – you simply hold it down
to change modes, the LED either
lighting up green or red.
The clean boost is really transparent
and, with a massive 26dB on tap, it
should be enough for all conventional
boosting needs. If you want a tonal
shift, you have a choice of three
different frequency ranges for the
mid boosts as well as a Mid Q knob
for a finer focus. This is where you
want to be for coaxing more sustain
out of an already driven amp. One
frequency range focuses on the
overall midrange, another emphasises
lower mids to add increased girth
to your boosts while the third will
give you a high-mid boost for a tone
that will cut through – not unlike
a Tubescreamer’s tonal focus but
retaining the bass end. A truly classy
pedal, which befits its premium tag.
B
efore boost was readily
available in stompbox form,
some guitarists used other
equipment to give a little extra lift
to their amp. The Rangemaster
treble boost was one favourite,
while another option was to use an
Echoplex EP-3 tape echo before your
amp – but not necessarily with the
echo effect engaged, as the EP-3’s
FET-based preamp had a tonal mojo
of its own that attracted the likes of
Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen.
This pedal aims to recreate that,
manifesting itself, to our ears, as a
positive shift in the tonal perspective,
making guitar tone more focused and
present, with a little grit thrown in,
too. Boost takes place from about 1
o’clock on the knob and there’s 11dB
available, so while it’s not going to
turn a clean amp dirty, it still offers a
juicy lift. While it’s a practical tool for
kicking in extra whoomph for solos,
you might just want this pedal on
permanently as a tonal enhancer.
VERDICT: A prime candidate for an
always-on pedal, this delivers tonal
sweetening with boost if you need it
Video & audio http://bit.ly/guitaristextra Video & audio http://bit.ly/guitaristextra
GIT436.peds_roundup.indd 119 7/12/18 1:02 PM