Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $249
Budget/Beginner
$249
$500+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Attain the iconic sound of U2's The Edge with the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier. This rare and sought-after gem, loved by musicians for its clean boost and pre-amp qualities, offers a switchable low-cut filter and separate bass and treble controls. Despite its short production period, the Boss FA-1 has sparked a DIY revival due to its rarity and unique tonal capabilities.
Key Features:
- FET Amplifier providing clean boost and preamp qualities
- Switchable low-cut filter for versatile sound shaping
- Separate bass and treble controls for precise tone adjustment
- Used by prominent musicians, including The Edge of U2
- Produced from 1983-1984, making it a rare and sought-after piece of gear.
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | FA-1 FET Amplifier |
| Finish | Green |
| Year | 1983 |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Overdrive and Boost Pedals |
FAQs
-
What type of amplification does the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier provide?
-
The Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier is a preamp known for its clean boost and tonal shaping capabilities, utilizing a field-effect transistor (FET) for high input impedance and low noise.
-
Can the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier be used with both electric and acoustic guitars?
-
Yes, the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier is versatile and can be used with both electric and acoustic guitars, enhancing clarity and providing a clean boost.
-
How does the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier affect the tone of my guitar?
-
The Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier is renowned for adding clarity, presence, and a clean boost to your guitar tone, making it ideal for cutting through mixes.
-
Is the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier is suitable for live performances, offering a reliable clean boost and tone shaping that helps your guitar stand out on stage.
-
Does the Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier require a specific power supply?
-
The Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier typically requires a 9V battery or a compatible 9V DC power supply for operation.
Videos
TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow
Boss FET Amplifier FA 1 - Mojostompboxes
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier.
Features and functionality
-
The FA-1 excels as a pure preamp, amplifying key guitar frequencies with a wide volume range and EQ controls, achieving light overdrive when maxed.
Source -
The FA-1 clone's raw aluminum finish, combined with black metallic knobs and stamped letters, is praised for its aesthetic, akin to Fairfield Circuitry pedals.
Source
Use cases and applications
-
Running the FA-1 into the MA-1 results in a fuzzy distortion, with tonal control via guitar volume and tone, FA-1 EQ, and MA-1 volume.
Source -
The FA-1 can add a sparkly sound to treble tones at lower settings, and a creamy tone to an already cranked amp, enhancing tonal flexibility.
Source -
Combining the FA-1 with a low-wattage amp can significantly boost volume while retaining control over the treble and bass to achieve desired tones.
Source
Comparisons
-
The FA-1 is often compared to the TC Electronic Integrated Preamp for boosting high-gain amps, with similar control settings for volume and treble.
Source -
The JHS Clover is considered a true clone of the FA-1, but with added switch mods, offering a similar experience without the reliability issues of a vintage pedal.
Source -
The Retro-Sonic is noted as a clone of the FA-1, appealing to those seeking similar sound characteristics without investing in the original.
Source
User experience
-
Users discovered that plugging the FA-1 directly into studio monitors via an audio interface reveals its preamp capabilities more clearly than using it as an overdrive.
Source -
Owners report the FA-1 is surprisingly quiet for its age, offering loud output with minimal noise, a notable feature for vintage pedals.
Source -
Owners highlight the FA-1 clone's ability to push a Tweed Deluxe amp into overdrive, achieving desirable "magical tones."
Source
Setup and maintenance
-
When used in front of an amp, turning down the FA-1 treble can prevent mids/highs from being pushed too far, balancing the sound.
Source
Build quality
-
The FA-1's clip was designed for belt use, contributing to its rarity. It's easily removable, allowing for velcro attachment but lacks a power port.
Source -
Lumberg jacks are recommended for fitting components into compact enclosures like the 1590A, allowing precise placement opposite each other with slight height variance.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
At minute 33:29, David Gilmour the King Alfred Leisure Centre to check the equipment they're going to use for a tour. There are some knew pedals, like the Electric Mistress and the Big Muff as well. The Boss FA-1 FET amplifier is clearly shown there.
In this article, Music Radar interviews Edge's guitar tech Dallas Schoo and details his touring rig for 2009's "360° Tour." It lists the FA-1 among his effects.
Pictured on Gallagher's official website's "Effects / Pedals" page and mentioned in a couple of interviews archived on RoryON!!.
"I use the Boss FET pedal which, although a transistor, has been designed to sound as much like a valve as possible. It still can't beat the old Dallas Rangemaster that was doing the rounds in the 'sixties though. The company's now gone bust so they're like gold dust if you can find one. I have a couple but they've corroded with use. They used to be lethal. They'd not only boost the bass and treble, but give you a couple of extra watts as well!
Guitar for the Practicing Musician, August 1991 interview with Vivian Campbell
VIVIAN: You get a tremendous tone for a single-coil Strat. Are you using any kind of distortion device between the guitar and the amp?
RORY: I've got a Boss Graphic EQ.
VIVIAN: Is that a little 6 band?
RORY: Yeah, one of the real old green ones. And I've got a DOD analog. They're back on the amps, and that's set at the minimum setting, just for a little bit of slap-back. I've got a Dyna-comp, which is on all the time, to drive the songs from the leads. It's not for effect. It's a form of compression and I have it at a setting where the compression's really low on it. I usually use a Tube Screamer, which broke down on me. Last night I was using a Boss overdrive. I use them for some solos, not all solos. I was against using them for years. If I was doing a solo, I had to look at the monitor guy to turn it up and all this. So I keep close to the natural sound. I have a brown Boss octave thing.
VIVIAN: I heard that last night. You sounded like Prince! He uses that a lot.
RORY: I've got a Boss flanger, as opposed to a chorus, which I use sparingly, I use that only in “Shadow Play” and “Moon Child,” and one other song. That's my talk on technology. I have a Vox wah-wah which I did use for one or two gigs, but purely to click it on for slide solos. I used it in the studio, for some solos as well. I don't use it on-stage, because even as it is, I try to keep it simple, within reason.
At 22:17 in this Rig Rundown for Tommy Henriksen of Warlock, Mojo Gurus, Clear Static, Benedictum, Cavo, Emphatic, China, Hyper Crush, and Revis, his gear is displayed, showing his Boss FA-1 Amplifier Pedal.
Album Usage
The Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation5 alternative and related items for Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier, curated by the Equipboard community.
$79.00
Pretty much the cheaper version of the selected item.
$48.00
A direct clone of the FA-1, crafted by a small Italian builder.
More Boss Guitar Preamp Pedals
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Most Popular Guitar Preamp Pedals
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
shaunwinstonGear IQ 646
-