About This Item
Description
Golden Boy takes the Bluesbreaker/King of Tone transparent-overdrive circuit and adds a fully independent MOSFET boost, four MIDI-recallable clipping voices, and a stepped gain cycle, all in a compact top-jack enclosure.
Golden Boy is Joey Landreth's signature overdrive, designed with Jackson Audio. Compared with the smaller Golden Boy Mini, it adds an independent MOSFET boost, four MIDI-selectable clipping voices, a 4-step GAIN CYCLE, and full MIDI control, in a 2.7" x 4.875" enclosure. The Golden Boy Mini keeps things simpler with a two-way clipping switch and a 3-band EQ in a smaller 2.5" x 4.25" footprint.
Why guitarists choose the Golden Boy
- A Bluesbreaker/King of Tone-inspired transparent overdrive keeps your amp's character intact while adding gain.
- An independent MOSFET boost (the same type found in the PRISM's AMP MODE) works on its own or stacked with the drive, and can be set before or after it.
- Four level-matched overdrive voices and four boost EQ presets give a wide tonal range from one pedal.
- A 4-step GAIN CYCLE (25/50/75/100%) lets you step through gain changes via footswitch or MIDI.
- Full MIDI control, including bypass, lets a pedalboard controller recall your drive and boost settings.
Controls and switches
- VOLUME — Master output level for the overdrive circuit.
- BOOST — Sets the amount of independent MOSFET boost, usable with the drive off.
- GAIN — Sets maximum overdrive gain, steppable in 4 stages via GAIN CYCLE.
- BASS / MIDDLE / TREBLE — 3-band active Baxandall-style EQ, +/-12dB per band with center detents, mids at 660Hz.
- DRIVE and BOOST footswitches — Engage the overdrive and boost circuits independently; hold either over 1 second for program mode, or press both together for GAIN CYCLE.
- Internal STND/ALT jumper — STND keeps the boost knob silent; ALT adds about 5% more gain with some crackle when the knob is turned.
Clipping and boost voices
- Green — Classic Screamer: two symmetrical silicon diodes, tight and mid-forward.
- Magenta — Asymmetrical: three asymmetrical silicon diodes, responsive and harmonically rich.
- Blue — Symmetrical: four symmetrical silicon diodes, focused with more headroom.
- Amber — Red LED: symmetrical LED clipping, open and amp-like.
- Boost EQ presets: Yellow Bright, Green Mid, Aqua Tailored, Blue Full Range.
MIDI and power
- MIDI controls drive and boost on/off, clipping selection, Gain Cycle level and boost EQ presets. MIDI is received on the TRS ring through a MIDI DIN-5 to TRS cable; default channel 1, changeable at power-up.
- Runs on a 9V DC center-negative supply rated at 150mA minimum (9V max).
- Top-mounted jacks for easier pedalboard fit.
| Effect type | Transparent overdrive with independent MOSFET boost |
|---|---|
| Controls | VOLUME, BOOST, GAIN, BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE; DRIVE and BOOST footswitches |
| Clipping voices | 4 (level-matched) |
| Boost EQ presets | 4 |
| EQ | 3-band active, +/-12 dB, mid centered at 660 Hz |
| Boost bypass | True bypass loop |
| MIDI | Yes, TRS (ring), channel 1 default |
| Power | 9V DC center-negative, 9V max |
| Required supply current | 150 mA minimum |
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ |
| Output impedance | 100 kΩ |
| Footprint | 2.7 x 4.875 in (69 x 124 mm) |
| Jacks | Top-mounted |
| Warranty | 5-year Jackson Audio VIP Warranty |
FAQ
How is Golden Boy different from the Golden Boy Mini? Golden Boy adds an independent MOSFET boost, MIDI control, four clipping voices, and a GAIN CYCLE feature; the Mini is a simpler overdrive with a two-way clipping switch in a smaller enclosure.
Can I use the boost without the overdrive? Yes. The boost circuit is in its own true bypass loop and works independently of the drive, and it can be placed before or after the overdrive.
Does Golden Boy support MIDI? Yes. It receives MIDI on the TRS ring through a MIDI DIN-5 to TRS cable, covering drive and boost bypass, clipping presets, gain cycle, and boost EQ.
What circuit is Golden Boy based on? A Bluesbreaker/King of Tone-style transparent overdrive, developed with Joey Landreth.
What power does Golden Boy need? A 9V DC center-negative supply rated at 150mA or more; do not exceed 9V.
Are the jacks top-mounted? Yes, for an easier pedalboard fit.