A pedal for the John Squire fans…

chrisj1602

I was looking at John Squire’ 70s Tele Custom that was for sale briefly and stumbled upon this pedal and it’s got me interested…

I am a massive Squire fan and I also like to spend too much on pedals, so this right up my street….

https://www.britishpedalcompany.com/view-product/lemon-boost

Which is a copy of this…

https://www.denmarkstreetonline.co.uk/product-details/John-Squire-VPW-Fet-Booster

And this is the original blurb… (yeah I’ve been down quite a rabbit hole…)

"Our FET Guitar Pre-Amplifier is a clean boost pedal with a multitude of uses in a smart pedalboard-friendly format. It is an original VPW design.
In addition to the Output Level control, the pre-amp features a six-way ‘Brilliance’ switch that will be familiar to fans of early AC30 and AC15 amplifiers, but with six positions instead of two. This control is a High-Pass filter with six pre-set fixed frequencies. It allows the user to progressively ‘trim’ away the unwanted low frequencies that muddy up the sound and waste amplifier power. The result is a tight, controlled response with a top-end sparkle you may never have heard from your amplifier before. In short, you won’t want to switch it off!
The unit can also be used with the AC30 ‘Normal’ channel to duplicate the response of the ‘Brilliant’ channel, but with increased gain available.
The use of a FET (field effect transistor) allows a 1Meg input impedance to be achieved (similar to a valve amplifier).
Hand-built in England.
Specifications:
Transistor – 1 x JFET
Controls – Output Level, Six-way Brilliance switch, True-Bypass.
Finish – Grey hammer-paint. Traffolite control panel.
LED status indicator – Yes, low-current"

benmurray85

Nice to see BPC produce a pedal which seemingly doesnt infringe any copyrights. 

Cookiemonster

I wonder what circuit it is though 

chrisj1602

Cookiemonster said:

I wonder what circuit it is though 

According to the above description, it was an original.

Cookiemonster

chrisj1602 said:

Cookiemonster said:

I wonder what circuit it is though 

According to the above description, it was an original.

Yeah they all often say that, most are versions of other fx

i will guess it’s this https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/steve-giles-vpw-e-pre-amp-pedal-used-305193910

as a huge Squire fan I am definitely intrigued on what it is 

chrisj1602

Cookiemonster said:

chrisj1602 said:

Cookiemonster said:

I wonder what circuit it is though 

According to the above description, it was an original.

Yeah they all often say that, most are versions of other fx

i will guess it’s this https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/steve-giles-vpw-e-pre-amp-pedal-used-305193910

as a huge Squire fan I am definitely intrigued on what it is 

Same, I’m really tempted but can’t help but think I’ll take a bath on it if I decide it’s not for me…

Cookiemonster

It’s very pricey for a simple one jfet boost I think 

Sassafras

Worth it for all the amplifeier power it'll save.
No more wasted amp power on muddy low frequencies.

Hattigol

Might as well get the guitar to go with it from that nice Mr Harrison...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256118286687

timhulio

Is there a schematic out there?

jakeolly

Did anybody ever find the schematic / build one of these ?

Heartfeltdawn

timhulio said:

Is there a schematic out there?

Placing bets on the AMZ FET booster with a bit of tinkering now... 

robinbowes

Heartfeltdawn said:

timhulio said:

Is there a schematic out there?

Placing bets on the AMZ FET booster with a bit of tinkering now... 

I concur:



There's really not much going on there.

robinbowes

Looks like they've been re-launched as the Technavolt Transistatron: https://www.technavolt.co.uk/shop/p/transistatron

DannyP

Signature Ibanez Chorus?

chrisj1602

robinbowes said:

Looks like they've been re-launched as the Technavolt Transistatron: https://www.technavolt.co.uk/shop/p/transistatron

A bit cheaper at least…

robinbowes

chrisj1602 said:

robinbowes said:

Looks like they've been re-launched as the Technavolt Transistatron: https://www.technavolt.co.uk/shop/p/transistatron

A bit cheaper at least…

Still a lot of cash for a jfet + a few caps on a switch.

Sporky

robinbowes said:

I concur:



There's really not much going on there.

That'd be an OK job from a hobbyist dabbler. Not nearly good enough to charge serious money for. 

Seziertisch

Sporky said:

robinbowes said:

I concur:



There's really not much going on there.

That'd be an OK job from a hobbyist dabbler. Not nearly good enough to charge serious money for. 

But that is likely how the “original” was made, so, like, play authentic, man, or something.

Sporky

I doubt the original was £279!

robinbowes

I'm tempted to get a Transistatron just to see what the circuit is.

£175 makes it an expensive itch to scratch, though!