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Xotic Effects RC Booster

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$168.00 to $196.95 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (48)

9 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Newer option

Xotic Effects RC Booster-V2

$165.00 - $219.00

5.0 (5)

Find out who is using Xotic Effects RC Booster

8 community setups

Featured in

8 Best Boost Pedals: Top Picks and Reviews 2026

34 wishlisted

116 saved

Page last updated Jun 12, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated June 11, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$168.00

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5.0 (1)

$196.95

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5.0 (71)

$187.39 15 available Used

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Average Price: $187

High-end/Boutique

$60

$151+

Price Tier

In the Boost Effects Pedals category, Xotic Effects RC Booster is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Xotic Effects RC Booster". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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The Xotic Effects RC Booster is every guitarist's secret weapon. This versatile pedal delivers a wide spectrum of tonal possibilities, from subtle boost to rich enhancement, with the ability to finely adjust your sound. The active Gain, Treble, Bass, and Volume controls offer nuanced tone-sculpting, allowing you to perfectly dial in your tone. With a two-band EQ and up to 20dB of clean boost, the RC Booster is a must-have for those seeking to add a touch of magic to their sound. Whether you’re into blues, rock, or jazz, this pedal is designed to give your performance that extra edge. Plus, it's available in a variety of color schemes to match your style.

Key Features:

Active Gain, Treble, Bass, and Volume controls for nuanced tone-sculpting
Two-band EQ for further tone refinement
Provides up to 20dB of clean boost
Available in a variety of color schemes

Product specs

Brand	Xotic
Model	RC Booster
Finish	White
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals

FAQs

What type of boost does the Xotic Effects RC Booster provide?: The Xotic Effects RC Booster offers a super-transparent 20dB clean boost, allowing you to enhance your guitar's signal without altering its original tone.
Can the Xotic RC Booster be used with both electric and acoustic guitars?: Yes, the Xotic RC Booster is versatile and can be used with both electric and acoustic guitars to enhance your instrument's natural sound.
Does the Xotic RC Booster have any additional tone-shaping controls?: The Xotic RC Booster features treble and bass EQ controls with a +/-15dB range, allowing you to fine-tune your tone for added clarity and presence.
Is the Xotic RC Booster suitable for use in a pedalboard setup?: Yes, the Xotic RC Booster is compact and pedalboard-friendly, making it an excellent choice for guitarists looking to enhance their setup with a clean boost.
What power requirements does the Xotic RC Booster have?: The Xotic RC Booster operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, making it compatible with most pedalboard power solutions.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Xotic Effects RC Booster AC Booster BB Preamp

ProGuitarShopDemos

Xotic Effects RC Booster

Prymaxe

Xotic Effects RC Booster

shnobel

5 Minutes with the Xotic Effects RC Booster - Pedal Demo

Ryan Kiesshauer

Xotic Effects RC Booster | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Xotic Effects RC Booster | N Stuff Music Product Review

N Stuff Music

Interview with Jone Herington Part 3 "Xotic Effects RC Booster Demo"

The Official Xotic Guitars and Effects Channel

Reviews

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PROS

Enhances solos, making them loud and clear
Versatile, offering extensive control over tone
Improves amp sound quality significantly
Compatible with a wide range of guitars and amps
Maintains clarity with gain or distortion added
Can be used as both a clean boost and a mild overdrive
Works well with other pedals, including wah and overdrive
Effective in both pedalboard and amp's effects loop setups
Adds warmth and responsiveness to tone
Durable and reliable for live and studio use

CONS

May sound too harsh with certain amp setups
Brightness can be overpowering with newer versions
Signature versions may color sound too much for some

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Xotic Effects RC Booster.

Features and functionality

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The RC Booster is praised for its clean and subtle boost, making it ideal for those seeking a transparent "always on" pedal effect.
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The Scott Henderson version includes an extra channel, providing additional versatility for varied tonal needs.
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The RC Booster's tonestack is based on a James circuit, offering flexibility to achieve both Tube Screamer and Klon-style mid-focused sounds with careful knob adjustments.
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The clipping diodes in the feedback loop of the op-amp create a unique level of clipping, subtly incorporating clean tones without overpowering the mix.
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Use cases and applications

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Works exceptionally well with passive basses, providing a clean tone boost that complements instruments like the Jazz Bass in pop/rock settings.
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Particularly favored by Telecaster players, the RC Booster complements the guitar's natural tone, enhancing its clean sound for country music.
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Comparisons

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Users often compare the RC Booster with the BB Preamp for more drive and gain, and with the Timmy model in the HX Stomp for additional grit.
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The RC Booster offers a subtle, barely dirty tone reminiscent of the Rolling Stones, distinguishing it from other clean boosts.
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The RC Booster differs from a typical Tube Screamer by not heavily blending clean tones, resulting in a more amp-like response at lower gain settings.
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User experience

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Some owners find the second gain level unnecessary, preferring to pair it with other pedals like the 1981 LVL for more diverse sound options.
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Owners report long-term satisfaction, with some using the pedal continuously for over 15 years, highlighting its durability and reliability.
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Some users note that the RC Booster can lose clarity or "flub out" if not adjusted carefully, indicating the importance of precise settings for optimal performance.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 48 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

redgtrrocker

349

over 5 years ago

Just leave it ON all the time!

I'll keep this one short 'n sweet: This pedal is the "Secret Sauce" of my entire effects chain and overall tone! I never turn it off. The day I added it to my pedalboard was like the proverbial clouds lifting and the sunlight breaking through! When other cats we'd gig with asked about it, I'd always tell them that it's like removing a huge blanket covering your speakers--it's night and day difference. I used to run it in front of the amp, but after seeing some studio cat run his through his amp's effects loop, I tried it in there and haven't looked back. Sounds so much better (and bigger) in the efx loop! And even though the "RC Booster" stands for "Really Clean Booster" (and it really is super-clean), this stomp allows one to add a little hair to their signal via the 'Gain' knob if you don't like your cleans too pristine. Would buy it again in a heartbeat, and won't leave home without it!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Blues Funk / Soul Alternative rock

From Gear Setup

dlammey

169

about 10 years ago

Can't imagine not having it on

I waited a long time to get a transparent boost pedal and this might not be the boost most people expect, but it dials in a specific clean sound very well. Can add a ton of Bass and Highs.

outlier52

195

over 10 years ago

It's really an overdrive. Or is it?

Sure you can use it as a clean boost, and it sounds great and transparent. But give it just a bit of gain and it produces a really full, compressed sounding tone that's not quite overdrive, but not quite clean. I have two overdrives and two distortions, but this little pedal surprised me. Now I'm using it as much as any of the other drives. It also does a fantastic job of goosing the overdrive and distortion pedals. Xotic is killing it with some awesome products!

reinier_klaassen

479

about 11 years ago

An awesome lead boost pedal

My xotic RC Booster is quite different from the original. Mine is homemade by my father and it has a different chip in it. The chip that's in the normal RC Booster has a Mosfet-preamp. Mine has a J-fet preamp which makes it a little warmer and more responsive than the normal RC Booster. I use it for a lead boost for both my Brian May and hard rock sounds. I love this thing to pieces!

zeke_yee

104

almost 9 years ago

Awesome pedal that is permanently on

Buffer, booster, eq. This pedal is a life saver when changing guitars or if the signal is weak due to long cables. There are many others that are newer and more expensive but this is one that never breaks down.