VOX VTB-1 Fuzz and Treble Booster Pedal

Few guitar sounds are as unmistakable as a VOX AC30 pushed into its sweet spot by a vintage British Treble Booster. Heard on recordings by icons like Rory Gallagher, Brian May, and Marc Bolan, this pairing helped define the sound of rock's formative years. The VTB-1 revives that legacy with a reengineered, road-ready booster that delivers the expressive character of the original without the limitations of 1960s germanium technology.

Classic Treble Boosters relied on germanium transistors, revered for their rich nonlinear response but notorious for temperature sensitivity, inconsistent performance, and noise. Simply swapping in silicon typically loses the magic. After detailed analysis of multiple original units and months spent modelling their behavior, VOX developed a new approach that captures the wide, nuanced nonlinear region of a great germanium transistor, using a single carefully biased silicon device.

By widening the edge-of-breakup zone and tuning the operating point with pinpoint accuracy, the VTB-1 achieves the smooth onset of drive, singing overtones, and exceptional volume-knob cleanup that defines classic Treble Booster tone. At the heart of the VTB-1 is a hand-selected Silver Can BC108 transistor, chosen for its consistent performance, low noise, and authentic vintage feel. Modern thin-film resistors further reduce noise beyond what carbon-composition parts of the '60s could achieve.

The VTB-1 preserves the simplicity of the classic single-transistor design while offering a significantly more predictable and stable playing experience. The custom bias circuit positions the BC108 in its ideal operating zone, allowing players to sit comfortably in that expressive edge-of-breakup range. Dial back your guitar’s volume for sparkling, chimey cleans—a hallmark of the best original boosters—or turn the Boost control clockwise to push your amp into a harmonically rich overdrive with massive headroom and focused presence.

By combining a period-correct voice with modern refinements, the VTB-1 offers an authentic '60s Treble Booster experience with greatly expanded versatility. The Fat switch broadens the frequency boost, letting you tailor the pedal to your guitar and playing style, from crisp vintage attack to thicker, more modern punch. And thanks to careful engineering, the VTB-1 remains remarkably quiet, even at high-gain settings.

Paired with a VOX AC30 or AC15, the VTB-1 unlocks the singing, harmonically rich overdrive that shaped the golden age of British rock. Dynamic, touch sensitive, and beautifully interactive, it captures the soul of the original boosters while offering the reliability today's players need.

Classic treble boosters have long been rare, expensive, and unpredictable. The VTB-1 brings their authentic sound, feel, and musical response back to modern pedalboards, with a beautifully refined, highly stable, and road-ready design.

• Inspired by AC30 Treble Booster Voice
• Analog Germanium-Style Harmonics
• Single-Transistor Gain Stage for Clarity
• Target Biasing for Expanded Sweet Spot
• Fat Switch Expands Boost Frequency Range
• Handpicked Silver Can BC108 Transistor
• Thin-Film Resistors Reduce Noise
• Compact, Rugged, and Vintage Styled
• Compatible with Modern Pedalboard PSUs
• Powered by PSU or 9V Battery