 Based on the preamp stage of an EP-3 Echoplex—
which has been used by Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen,
Eric Johnson and others as a guitar-signal booster/
conditioner—the EP-Booster ($145 retail/street price
N/A) is a super-compact unit (3.5" x 1.5" x 1.5") that features
a discreet FET preamp with a low-output impedance
that makes it well suited for driving long lengths of cable
(as well as other effects) without loss of highs or signal. The
unit has a quality feel and it looks cool too with its clear
plastic Gain knob, blue LED on a black face plate, and buffed
zinc housing. A 2.1mm adapter jack is installed for those
who don’t want the trouble of removing the bottom pate to
change a battery. Bass Boost and Bright switches also reside
inside, and Xotic recommends using the “off” positions on
both for an authentic EP-3 response.
Though butt simple, the EP-Booster could easily become
an essential element on your pedalboard. Even when using
moderate boost with the Gain knob less than halfway up,
the EP made everything sound fatter, juicier, and well, more
vibey. Cranking the EP-Booster’s Gain knob to maximum
pushed all of our clean amps into thick distortion that could
be easily controlled via the guitars’ volume knobs. In this
mode, the boost sounded perfectly balanced with no tendencies
to get shrieky or splattery—even when the EP’s Bright
switch was on (which actually is a flat setting). The Bass
Boost switch is also useful for making single-coil guitars
sound a littler thicker and tougher. No quibbles; the EPBooster
is an highly useful sonic tool and it earns an Editors’
Pick Award. —Art Thompson 
KUDOS Makes everything sound fatter
and cooler. Minimal footprint
lets it fit just about anywhere.
CONCERNS None.
CONTACT xoticeffects.com
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