Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $239

High-end/Boutique

$60

$151+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Add a touch of magic to your sound with the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost, a celebrated choice among guitarists seeking to revive and enhance their tone. This compact yet potent pedal is designed to breathe new life into your guitar’s voice, particularly if you're working with vintage pickups. With its singular, intuitive knob design, it offers a seamless way to dial in the perfect amount of boost to cut through any mix. Whether you're looking to add a touch of sparkle to your clean tones or push your amp into delightful overdrive, this pedal delivers with impeccable clarity and warmth.

The Super Hard On Boost is not just about power; it's about precision. The pedal's high-impedance input ensures that your instrument's natural tone remains uncolored, preserving the nuances that make your guitar unique. Its robust build and simple operation make it an ideal addition to any pedalboard, ready to deliver reliable performance whether you're on stage or in the studio. Experience the unmistakable difference with the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost, where simplicity meets sophistication for a sound that's undeniably yours.

Key Features:

  • Single volume knob for intuitive control
  • High-impedance input preserves natural tone
  • Designed to enhance vintage pickups
  • Compact and durable construction
  • Ideal for adding clarity and warmth to your sound

Product specs

Brand Zvex
Model Super Hard On Boost
Finish Hand Painted
Year 2010s
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals, Preamps
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of power supply does the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost require?

The ZVEX Super Hard On Boost operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used for most guitar pedals, or can run on a 9V battery.

How does the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost affect my guitar's tone?

The ZVEX Super Hard On Boost is designed to enhance your guitar's natural tone by adding a clean boost without altering the original sound, providing more clarity and presence.

Is the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost suitable for use with bass guitars?

Yes, the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost can be used with bass guitars, offering a clean boost that enhances low-end frequencies without distortion.

Can the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost be used in front of an overdrive pedal?

Yes, placing the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost in front of an overdrive pedal can increase the gain and saturation, allowing for more dynamic control over your sound.

Does the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost have true bypass?

Yes, the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost features true bypass, ensuring that your guitar signal remains unaffected when the pedal is turned off.

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

ZVex Super Hard On Boost Preamp Pedal

Video thumbnail for ZVex Super Hard On Boost Preamp Pedal by ProGuitarShopDemos

ZVex Super Hard On Boost Preamp Pedal

ProGuitarShopDemos

ProGuitarShopDemos

Video thumbnail for Zvex Super Hard On Guitar Pedal by FlyingTex

Zvex Super Hard On Guitar Pedal

FlyingTex

FlyingTex

Video thumbnail for ZVEX Super Hard On Boost | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

ZVEX Super Hard On Boost | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Z-Vex SUPER HARD ON boost drive guitar effects pedal demo by gearmanndude

Z-Vex SUPER HARD ON boost drive guitar effects pedal demo

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Video thumbnail for ZVEX Super Hard On Preamp Booster by Coleman's Music

ZVEX Super Hard On Preamp Booster

Coleman's Music

Coleman's Music

Video thumbnail for Zvex Super Hard On Ultra-transparent Boost Preamp by Gear Station

Zvex Super Hard On Ultra-transparent Boost Preamp

Gear Station

Gear Station

Video thumbnail for Z Vex Super Hard-On Booster Pedal Video Demo by tunnelvisionmusic

Z Vex Super Hard-On Booster Pedal Video Demo

tunnelvisionmusic

tunnelvisionmusic

Reviews

PROS

  • Enhances touch sensitivity and harmonic richness, especially on bass

  • Delivers a full, bigger tone without coloring the sound

  • Adds gnarly grit and sizzle when cranked

  • Single "crackle okay" knob offers a unique grinding effect

  • Custom painted models offer aesthetic uniqueness

  • Pairs well with both Fender and Marshall amps

  • Versatile sound from soft and round to tight and fizzy with different transistors

  • Effective when used in both early and late signal chain positions

CONS

  • Some consider the price high for its components

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ZVEX Super Hard On Boost.

Features and functionality

  • Owners confirm the "crackle ok" label on the pot is present in all versions of the Super Hard On as a unique characteristic.

    Source
  • The Super Duper 2-in-1 contains two complete Super Hard On circuits in series, offering increased versatility with cascading options for more complex sounds.

    Source
  • The ZVEX Super Hard On is noted for having dual mono outputs, which can potentially be used for a faux wet/dry setup in stereo configurations.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • When used at the start of a chain, it pairs exceptionally well with old single coil guitars, enhancing brightness and clarity.

    Source
  • For dark amps, placing a Super Hard On at the end of the pedal chain can effectively brighten and push the amp.

    Source
  • Some owners utilize the Super Hard On as an always-on boost to enhance clarity, especially effective in cleaning up pickup noise at the start of the chain.

    Source
  • Some owners report achieving a Jimi Hendrix-like tone using the Super Hard On, highlighting its suitability for vintage-inspired soundscapes.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Box of Rock includes SHO circuitry, suggesting its boost function is similar, but the pedal's compactness can be problematic.

    Source
  • The Bad Bob booster is noted as a similar option but produces a darker tone, while the Micro Amp and DOD 250 offer alternative boost characteristics.

    Source
  • The Super Hard On is noted to be brighter than the Box of Rock, which has been engineered with different resistors to add bass, affecting its sparkle on lower settings.

    Source
  • The ZVEX Channel 2 is essentially a Super Hard On with a master volume, offering an alternative for those interested in similar tones at a lower price.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users mention that modifying the Box of Rock's resistors can revert its boost to the Super Hard On's original brightness, offering a customizable tone option.

    Source
  • Modding the Box of Rock to Super Hard On specs requires changing a couple of resistors, allowing for socketing components to alter sound dynamically.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Super Hard On clones are available online for around $30, offering a budget-friendly alternative while retaining similar sound quality, as reported by some users.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Marcel van Oort's Guitars and Equipment: Review: ZVEX Super Hard-On

marcelsguitars.blogspot.com

The ZVEX Super Hard-On Boost impresses with its versatile tone range from a subtle clean boost to a Hendrix-like distortion, maintaining signal integrity with stylish flair. However, its high output voltage is a double-edged sword, notorious for being "super hard" on amplifiers, potentially damaging sensitive circuitry. While it’s a gem for true tone purists, its lack of an external power jack and awkward pedalboard fit are notable drawbacks. For those with space and budget, pairing a clean boost with a separate distortion pedal might offer more control and safety for your amp.

ZVEX - Super Hard On, Distortron, Fuzzolo

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The ZVEX Super Hard On Boost pedal shines with its simplicity and effectiveness, offering a dynamic range from subtle crunch to smooth drive with just one knob. Its unique, hand-painted design adds a personal touch, though the crackling sound when adjusting the knob might be off-putting to some. Nonetheless, it’s a powerhouse for those looking to boost their amp’s natural tone without altering it. Overall, this pedal is a robust and artistic choice for musicians seeking a high-quality boost.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
wagnar

Good in front of valve amps

BS170 is softer and more round sounding while 2N7000 is tighter and fizzy on high gain.

Roles:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Homme uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

...
Verified via YouTube

Dan Druff (Guitar Tech) tells that one of the main pedals Josh used during SftD was the ZVex Super Hard On (00:24)

See how Matthew Bellamy uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Matthew Bellamy

Singer, Guitarist

Muse

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Mix engineer Tommaso Colliva on recording Drones : "Pedal–wise there was a lot going on, but there are a few pedals that get used a lot, like the ZVex Fuzz Factory, the ZVex Super Hard On, which gives a nice clean boost so it distorts the amplifier, the Super Duper, and the Machsonic Thrust Drive pedal, which is made by someone in Turkey, and which we used with the Ampeg head for a very scooped–out fuzz sound, the JHS Colour Box, which mimics the sound of the Neve 1073, and a Roland SDD 3000 pedal."

See how Billy Gibbons uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Billy Gibbons

Guitarist

ZZ Top

...
Verified via ZVEX Effects

Featured on the official ZVEX artist page.

Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top uses the Nano Amp and SHO, among other ZVEX pedals he owns.

See how Gustavo Cerati uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Gustavo Cerati

Singer, Guitarist

Soda Stereo

...
Verified via Photo

En esta foto vemos el set de grabación de Gustavo para Siempre es Hoy (2002). El Super Hard On se encuentra del lado derecho de la Pedalboard.

See how Brad Delson uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Brad Delson

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via Premierguitar

In the PremierGuitar article "In the Studio with Linkin Park", the Z Vex Super Hard-On is listed on Brad Delson's Studio Gear.

See how Beck uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Beck

Singer, Guitarist

Loser

...
Verified via ZVEX Effects

Specified on the official ZVex artist page.

Beck: SHO

See how Steve Albini uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Steve Albini

Singer, Guitarist

Big Black

...
Verified via ZVEX Effects

"Steve Albini - Producer/Engineer: Steve frequently uses a ZVEX Super Hard On when recording albums"

See how Daniel Kessler uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Daniel Kessler

Guitarist

Interpol

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo, a ZVEX Super Hard On Boost pedal is visible on the far left, used by Daniel Kessler. The angle slightly distorts the view, but its presence is unmistakable.

See how Jeordie White uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Jeordie White

Guitarist, Bassist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via YouTube

From Tone King video, explaining his effects setup, with Jeordie and his guitar tech, as a guitarist instead of bassist for Marilyn Manson.

See how Brian Bell uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Brian Bell

Singer, Guitarist

Weezer

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Brian appears to be using ZVex Super Hard On pedal.

See how beabadoobee uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

beabadoobee

Composer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by beabadoobee, the ZVEX Super Hard On Boost pedal is clearly visible, confirming her use of this gear. The image was shared by the artist on March 17, 2019, with the caption "cute ass pedals."

See how Jordan Cook uses ZVEX Super Hard On Boost

Jordan Cook

Singer, Guitarist

Reignwolf

...
Verified via Photo

Here is Jordan Cook's pedalboard from the 2012 Seattle Capital Hill Block Party. A ZVex Super Hard On (hand painted) can be seen on the board. Here's another source photo: https://backbeatseattle.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/reignwolfblock4.jpg

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ZVEX Super Hard On Boost, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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