About This Item
Description
Golden Boy takes the beloved 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 vs. Golden Boy Mini: which should you choose?
Golden Boy and the Golden Boy Mini share the same Joey Landreth-collaboration transparent-overdrive heritage, but they are different pedals. Golden Boy 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 knob-and-switch clipping selection and a 3-band EQ in a smaller 2.5" x 4.25" footprint. Choose Golden Boy for MIDI recall and onboard boost, or the Mini for the smallest possible pedalboard 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 circuit found in the PRISM's AMP MODE) works on its own or stacked with the drive.
- Four level-matched overdrive voices and four boost EQ presets give a wide tonal range from two knob sets.
- A 4-step GAIN CYCLE (25/50/75/100%) lets you step through incremental gain changes via footswitch or MIDI.
- Full MIDI control, including bypass, lets a pedalboard controller instantly recall your exact 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 EQ, +/-12dB per band with center detents, mids at 660Hz.
- DRIVE and BOOST footswitches — Engage the overdrive and boost circuits independently; hold either for program mode, or press both together for GAIN CYCLE.
Power and pedalboard compatibility
Runs on a 9V MAX DC center-negative supply with a minimum current draw of 150mA. No battery operation is published for this pedal.
Technical specifications
| Model | Jackson Audio Golden Boy MIDI Transparent Overdrive |
| Effect type | Transparent overdrive with independent MOSFET boost |
| Controls | VOLUME, BOOST, GAIN, BASS / MIDDLE / TREBLE, DRIVE and BOOST footswitches |
| Input impedance | 1000 kΩ |
| Output impedance | 100000 Ω |
| Power | 9 Volt DC |
| Current draw | 150 mA |
| Enclosure dimensions | 12.38 x 6.86 cm (2.7" x 4.875" published footprint) |
| MPN | GB |
| GTIN | 302128186155 |
| ASIN | B088S9R449 |
| 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 knob-and-switch overdrive 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.
Does Golden Boy support MIDI? Yes, over the ring of a 1/8" TRS jack via a DIN-5-to-TRS cable, including bypass control, clipping presets, gain cycle, and boost EQ.
What amp voicing is Golden Boy based on? A Bluesbreaker/King of Tone-style transparent overdrive circuit.
What power does Golden Boy need? A 9V MAX DC center-negative supply drawing at least 150mA.
Are the jacks top-mounted? Yes, for an easier pedalboard fit.