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Other BigShots:
ABY  •  EFX   •  i/o
MIX  •  PB1  •  SW2

Retail: $139.99, Our Price: $180.00

BigShot PB1 class-A power booster

• Fully variable class-A power booster for solos
• Buffer drives multiple pedals and long cables
• Drag™ control load correction for natural tone
• Ultra linear performance for natural boost
• Compact and easy to use – great for pedalboards

The Radial BigShot PB1 is a combination power booster and buffer designed to provide exceptional sonic performance for pedalboard users in a compact and simple package. It provides 15dB of boost, accessed using a guitar pick via a rear-mounted recessed control that is protected from foot stomp damage.

Unlike class-B preamps found in most pedals that color the tone and give buffers a bad name, the BigShot PB1 features 100% discreet class-A circuit topology for the utmost in sound quality. Class-A circuits are preferred due to reduced zero cross distortion, improved phase response and the resulting smooth Bessel curve of evenly cascading harmonics. This is augmented with Drag™ control, a variable load correction circuit that lets you dial in the perfect impedance to match the original tone and feel of your guitar and amp combination.

With the PB1, noise is reduced while performance is augmented. Long cable runs are finally possible. And when you hit the boost, you get smooth clean control like you never thought possible.

The BigShot PB1 is likely the finest guitar power booster ever made.

In this setup:

• Guitar goes into the PB1's INPUT jack
• PB1 'OUTPUT' jack connects to amp input
• Adjust the 'DRAG' and 'GAIN' controls to suit

BigShot PB1 - buffer with Drag™ control
Drive all your effects without having them suck the life out of your guitar tone. Drag™ control lets you regain the correct amount of pickup loading.

In this setup:

• Guitar goes into the PB1's INPUT jack
• PB1 'OUTPUT' jack connects to effects chain input
• Adjust the 'DRAG' and 'GAIN' controls to suit

In this setup:

• Guitar goes into the PB1's INPUT jack
• PB1 output to BigShot EFX input
• EFX send/receive to effects loop and tuner

After the successful launch of the Tonebone Switchbone, scores of guitarists told us how much the liked the power booster. They liked the fact that it did not color their tone and the buffering helped quiet down their system. The natural progression was to incorporate a refined version of our booster in the Loopbone. The PB1 follows the same topology by providing a no-nonsense, 'best-of-the-best' combination power booster and buffer for the most demanding guitarists.

But what makes a power booster better? How about buffering? Is this not a total affront to the concept of true-bypass switching? In many ways, the answer to the second question is subject to personal taste and akin to asking: what is better; a Strat or a Les Paul?

Let’s start with the easy question… What makes a great power booster?

It is safe to say that the very best devices ever invented have a base in science and technology. A fast sailboat, a winning race car, a great sounding amp, or a great feeling guitar all begin with someone taking the time to work through the problems and find a winning balance.

Most guitar products that made their debut since the first Fender Bassman came from musicians trying to create a solution to a given problem. Only a handful of these designs came from guitarists with a solid background in electronic engineering. To make matters even worse, very few electronic engineers actually play the guitar.

Engineers do not usually understand tone. The results are predictable: the guitarist creates musical solutions that may not perform to minimum technical standards while the technician (the engineer) produces products that are not always musical.

So what do you get? You plug in a typical power booster and the signal gets louder. But for some darn reason it just sounds bad. The most common reason for this is that chip or op-amp based preamp circuits are easy to develop, low power consumption, low cost and low noise. This makes it easy to produce a workable solution that can be driven with a battery. But they have one huge downside… they sound bad.
 

Since the early days of electronics, audiophiles have always migrated to class-A circuits. Listening test after listening test have proven that discreet components (i.e. separate resistors and capacitors) sound better than ICs. The problem with discreet class-A circuits are: they take more time to build, they are larger and therefore more expensive; they never shut off and therefore are inefficient and power hungry; and they are fraught with noise unless painstaking attention to detail is undertaken at every turn. But gosh darn it… they sound amazing!

So once you created this exceptional preamp called a power booster, the question becomes: what else can I do with it? This is where buffering versus true-bypass comes into play.

To begin, the difference between a power booster and a buffer is simple: They are both preamps. A buffer is usually a unity gain device where it takes the signal coming in and drives it at a lower impedance without increasing the level. A power booster is the same with a variable output that lets you amplify the signal to create a clean boost.

And just like a poorly designed power booster, buffers share the same dilemma. Low cost chip based devices work and do buffer, but do so at the cost of tone. This is why so many guitarists prefer true-bypass pedals: Their experience with low quality buffers has turned them off.

But even with a great buffer like the BigShot PB1, not all is rosy. You see, the one problem that pretty well all pedal manufacturers have overlooked is the natural relationship that exists between the guitar, the cable in between, and the amplifier. With a buffer like the PB1 in between, the signal is ultra clean and sounds boosted. What happens is that there is no load on the pickup and the natural relationship – that ethereal balance – is now gone. This is how we came to invent Drag Control. This idea did not come from the laboratory; it came from playing guitar and listening and knowing that there was something amiss. Drag Control lets you dial in the desired load so that the guitar – cable – amp relationship is back to normal. Load correction: Simple, effective and really functional.

With the buffer in the circuit, we can now switch the power poster on and off without the popping noise that most true-bypass pedals introduce. All of a sudden, noisy pedals and tone robbing tuners no longer seem to get in the way. Longer cables and less noise… Hmmm kinda makes you wonder why some folks prefer true bypass… but wait! Good news...

You can use the PBI on your pedalboard and still have true-bypass! All you do is insert the PB1 in one of the BigShot EFX loops and presto! Best of both worlds!

Features & Specifications

• Active buffered circuit

• Drag™ - variable pickup load correction circuit

• Max 15dB boost control

• Heavy-duty high-cycle footswitch

• 9 VDC - 40ma center negative power

• 14 gauge steel, baked enamel finish

• Size: 3.6"w x 3.9"d x 2"h (92 x 99 x 51mm)

• Weight: 1.25 lb (0.56 kg)

• Radial 3-year limited warranty

Following the block diagram on the left, you can see that the PB1 is extremely simple to use – you plug your guitar into the input jack and your amp from the output jack using standard ¼” guitar cables. For safety, always make connections with your amp volume turned off. Connect a standard Boss style 9V power supply to the PB1 for powering. There is no on-off switch – leaving it on will not harm it

Before you play, set the 'DRAG' (pickup load adjustment) and 'GAIN' (boost level) controls to 12 o’clock using a guitar pick or screwdriver. This will give you a good starting point. Now, turn your guitar amp volume up a bit. Always test at a low volume to prevent system damage. If all seems ok, hit the BOOST footswitch. Adjust the 'GAIN' control to suit.

Now go back and listen to the PB1 and how the Drag control works. Full clockwise takes the Drag control out of the circuit and will result in a brighter tone. Full counterclockwise will darken the tone. If you use an active guitar, the Drag will have very little effect. Find the ‘sweet spot’ that works for you and start playing.

Remember, you will have to stop and get some food at some point! Best you should arrange to have someone come find you or else you may starve!

WARNING - Possibility of electrical shock hazard exists. Please read the warnings in the user manual before attempting to connect amplifiers to any device.

BigShot PB1 FAQ

Q: Why do some folks say buffers are bad?
A: Probably because they never tried a really good one. The PB1 is unique in that it is a Class-A device and employs Drag control load correction to take away any of the unwanted sparkle that a buffer can introduce. .

Q: Why does the PB1 lower the impedance?
A: High impedance circuits are much more susceptible to noise than low impedance circuits. This is why pro studios and broadcasters always employ balanced, low impedance lines between equipment. By lowering the impedance, you can also travel further with less noise.

Q: Most power boosters sound harsh. Why is the PB1 different?
A: The PB1 employs our unique class-A circuit design, the same one used in the high end Radial JD7 Injector. This device is used by countless pros to record and perform live including Buddy Guy, Johnny A, Steve Steven to name a few. These guys are really particular about their tone and they would not use a buffer if it sounded harsh. The PB1 sounds great!

Q: Can I use the PB1 to add front end distortion to my amp?
A: Yes!. Set your amp to a moderately overdriven sound and use the PB1 to add more input saturation. It works great for this!

Q: Can I use the PB1 to boost my acoustic guitar for soloing?
A: Yes. Just be careful not to overdrive the input to your amp of mixer! The PB1 has 15dB of boost power, plenty more than you likely need. Just listen to make sure you do not distort.

Q: Can I use the PB1 as a preamp for a piezo pickup?
A: You could. Start by turning the drag fully clockwise to make sure you get the maximum input impedance and then listen. Try turning down the Drag to suit. If you need extra level, turn the boost on and adjust. The PB1 will provide a clean, full range boost that could be very suitable!

Q: If I want to use the PB1 for soloing with a distortion, where should it go in the signal chain?
A: If you put the PB1 before your distortion or overdrive pedal, it will increase the input drive and create more distortion. If you put it after the overdrive, it will boost the level. Most players use the power booster after their overdrive pedals.

Q: I get a clicking sound from my tuner. Will using the PB1 as a buffer help?
A: Yes. The clicking is due to the signal from the tuner coming back into the circuit. The PB1 will drive the signal and should eliminate the effect. You may want to use a BigShot EFX, i/o or ABY as part of your system to further advantage your setup and for quiet tuning.

Q: If I want to use the PB1 for soloing with a distortion, where should it go in the signal chain?
A: Well, the Drag control is normally adjusted once and left alone. Therefore, we felt that it made sense to put the boost level control on the back to make assembly easier. Once set, they are out of the way and our of the foot damage zone. That can only be good… right?

Q: Is the BigShot PB1 Buffer on all the time?
A: Answer: Yes. The buffer is there to drive the other pedals in your system and the lower impedance reduces susceptibility to noise. The Drag control counteracts the effects of the buffer to retain the instrument's natural tone.

Q: How could I remove the PB1 buffer from my pedal chain?
A: The easiest way would be to use the BigShot EFX loop controller.
Simply put the PB1 power booster in one of the loops and turn it on when you need it. And of course take it out of the signal path when you do not.

Q: Can the PB1 run on a 9V battery?
A: No. The BigShot PB1 is a Class-A device and therefore requires a lot
of power to make it work. A battery would run out very quickly and therefore the PB1 must be powered with a 9V external supply like the ones used with Boss pedals.

For additional info, press and user manuals, please visit Radial Engineering  (opens in a new window).