Boner Boost

Probably the most popular one-knob boost available. Famously crackles when adjusted, but hey - that's ok! Circuit is now based on the second incarnation which isn't susceptible to static.

Astounding levels of boost on tap, but this isn't simply a 'make stuff go louder' circuit. Pair it with a vintage guitar with weak pickups and tweak the control until you find the sweet spot. You'll not believe what that old axe has in it.

Board-mounted pot for minimal wiring and easy mounting in the enclosure.

Kit is available with a standard sized 1590B enclosure with battery, or a mini 1590A (36 x 90mm) enclosure with DC power only, though be aware that you'll be wiring in a very confined space.

If you want the PCB without parts there's a link for that at the bottom of the page.

Partial kit: PCB, all board-mounted components, pots.

Full kit: As above, plus footswitch and appropriate daughterboard/components for your selected bypass type (see Downloads section for details of those), jack sockets, DC socket, battery snap, hook-up wire, LED.

Enclosure (pre-drilled) is available as an option with full kits, and can take a battery if desired with footswitch positioned 22mm higher, closer to the controls, in a 1590B. 1590A will not take a battery. Knobs are not included.

Builds are only available with full kits including enclosure. Please choose appropriate knobs.

Inspired by: Super Hard On

Difficulty: Easy

PCB size: 25 x 22mm

Knobs required: 1

Enclosure: 1590B, 1590A

Direct Connect compatible (4 way)

Download the INSTRUCTION PDF

As there are still some of the previous boards in the wild, here's the previous build doc.

Product Code: BonerBoost

Brand: Pedal Parts

Weight: 81.0g

Product Condition: New

Kit type 1* Allow for battery?* Ribbon connector?* Pre-built?*

£19.20 inc. tax

£16.00 ex. tax

? Tax based on United Kingdom.

Customer Reviews

16 review(s) posted (write review)

Fantastic boost
"Easy to put together and the only boost I could ever stand to actually use. Over the years I've tried a Zinky Master Blaster and an EP Booster but always found myself going to cleanish overdrives for boost instead. But this little thing is it, a lot of volume on tap and sound gorgeous. It especially shines boosting the level of a low-output vintage-style Stratocaster (or a Les Paul with volume on 7) going into something like a Big Muff for more ferocious sounds (think Corrorsion of Conformity). For a not-too-distorted, cleanish, full-frequency range boost it can't be beat in my book." Razvan Cojocaru - 18 April 2021

SHO
"incredibly easy to build, it was my second and I had it in about 5 minutes. It really works like a charm and sounds and does so much better than some other Boosters, at least for my taste." Matt - 13 July 2017

Buy this boost!
"Assembled this as my first pedal, and I'm blown away by it. Great quality kit, great instructions and I had a working pedal within a couple of hours. I had some help from my Dad identifying components as I'm colourblind so that made things much easier, and really enjoyed the time with him building it. I'm going to buy the ribbon cable as well next time for the daughter board to make it even easier and neater. I'm shopping for a fuzz now, so can't wait to get building again." Ben Rogers - 29 April 2017

Excellent clone of the ZV SHO!
"Excellent clone! I had the SHO but sold it (don't remember why: could've been because it was worth more than I paid). This baby does it and does it WELL! I'm going into a point to point hand wired Chad Hawkins 18 watt 3 knobber (Gain Volume Tone) and this pedal is ALL I need to make this amp SCREAM! Easy build, looks great, sounds better. BUY OR DIE!!!" damnedcat777 - 02 April 2017

Boost and a half!
"I bought the board only as I was a bit skint, and accumulated the bits in my own time, though I had most of them. This is a nice simple build and I'm always going to use the 3PDT daughterboards now as it's so much quicker and neater. This is a great sounding boost, it squeezed a lot more gain out of my Micro Terror, it's brilliant, and going on the pedal board. Cheers Lee :-)" Mick Jones - 15 September 2016

Noisy little f er!
"This was the first build I have done in a while and it was great. Everything went perfectly, offboard wiring was an absolute doddle. I absolutely love the direct connect daughter board, makes everything that much neater. In total it took me about an hour (including googling resistor codes and two pin DC connectors). No troubleshooting necessary, apart from boxing it up having forgotten to put the transistor in the socket (I do that pretty much every time). Boost is great, completely perks up the clean and low gain channels on my JVM 10/10 would buy again" Sunny - 23 July 2016

Great
"This booster goes to 11." fontikos - 02 July 2014

Fantastic introduction to pedal building
"My first kit build - even so it was pretty simple to put together. Had to email to check something but got a quick reply and got it sorted. Finally got to try it with a tube amp yesterday and it totally blew me away, this thing has replaced my DOD250 now, brilliant. A bit darker than expected with humbuckers but a bit of playing around will sort that. Such a success I cant wait to order another kit." HapiJoel - 05 May 2014

First Build!
"This is my first pedal build, decided to build a 2 way true bypass looper in a large ally box and have this one as a solo boost in the same box. Got it all working tonight after messing around with the rest of it and it sounds brilliant. Works incredibly well in front of my OD for a incredible soloing tone. Can't wait to try the next builds. Many thanks!" Henreh! - 08 January 2014

Boner boost
"Very easy mounting, but very powerful pedal, my goltop, marshall jcm 800 and boner, it' s enough to be rock!!! Very good stuff, every rocker needs one!!" Claudio - 21 November 2013

Great boost, easy build
"This was my first build, very easy and sounds great. I used to have a zvex bor and it sounds very authentic to me." Tony - 18 July 2013

Simple kit = pretty much indespensable boost pedal - you need one!
"The build is almost embarrassingly simple, and would make a great first time kit if you're thinking of dipping your toe into the murky waters of DIY pedals. Just take your time, follow the instructions carefully, check everything twice and you'll get there. If anything confuses you/goes pear shaped, drop Lee an email and he'll sort you out. As to the pedal itself, it is so much more than just a boost! Even set at unity, the extra presence and sparkle in your tone is noticeable. That being said, the amount of boost on tap is frankly insane. It sounds great with run of the mill guitars (strats/teles etc.), but I've found it has an even more dramatic impact on the way vintage oddities with knackered/underpowered pickups behave. A friend's battered Teisco sounds like a completely different instrument, and my old Framus Stella really wakes up the second you step on the boost. Not that I ever turn it off... So cheap too. Get one!" Matt P - 18 July 2013

SHO
"Great little pedal. Does get very addictive, makes a good tube amp sound better than you thought possible. Super easy build." Mike P - 04 April 2013

Boner
"Great boost at very affordable price. Simple clean boost, like it!" Antti - 03 March 2013

SHO
"Fantastic kit. So cheap its hard to justify not owning one. Tiny little board so you could fit it anywhere. Really powerful booster. Easy to build so suitable for inexperienced builders" Kris Richmond - 21 July 2012

First attempt at pedal making
"Super easy build, this was my first try at effects pedal building. It sounds great and has given me the confidence to start fiddling with electronics! Also is a 1/10 of the price of the original SHO." George Wharmby - 26 May 2012