When Is a Boost More Than a Boost?

Ratings Pros: Many more usable tones and options than a simple clean boost. Tiny footprint. Switchable buffer and true-bypass modes. Cons: The high-mid setting can get a bit too trebly for single coils. Street: $178 Tsakalis AudioWorks Molecular Boost tsakalisaudioworks.com

Tones: Ease of Use: Build/Design: Value:

The basic premise of a boost pedal could fit on a bumper sticker: Whatever you feed it comes out louder at the other end. Well, the Tsakalis Molecular Boost certainly does that. But it does a lot more, and calling it a boost sells this compact, one-knob wonder short. The secret sauce lies in the four small DIP switches on the left side. With a quick flick of a switch or two, the Molecular Boost moves between four different EQ curves (treble boost, high-mid boost, mid boost, and an all-frequency boosted “clean” mode). The gain, meanwhile, ranges to +18 dB.

The secret sauce lies in the four small DIP switches on the left side. With a quick flick of a switch or two, the Molecular Boost moves between four different EQ curves (treble boost, high-mid boost, mid boost, and an all-frequency boosted “clean” mode). The gain, meanwhile, ranges to +18 dB.

The clean boost mode is rich and full of body, and creeping past noon, you hear many additional overtones bubble to the surface. The mid- and high-mid boost settings are punchy and bright. And though the high-mid setting was a little too thin for my particular setup (a Schroeder T-style and Fender Hot Rod Deville) it would probably be a great fit for dark humbuckers. The ability to control the gain via expression-pedal is a welcome bonus, as is the internal switch that enables you to select true bypass, or use the Molecular Boost as a buffer. The Molecular Boost may be mini, but its impressive capabilities are a big deal.

Test Gear: Schroeder Chopper TL, Fender Modern Player Jaguar, Fender Hot Rod DeVille