BC149 ‘Orange Label’ Treble Booster
A Sonic Blast From the Past
Based on the original BC149 treble booster used by Brian May from the mid 1970’s to the late 1980’s, this pedal uses a custom-made replica circuit board and carbon film resistors & capacitors of the same values as the original to help recreate the vintage tone
Housed in a Deltron enclosure, finished with matt black Dymo labels of the same font as the original and available either in “As new” condition, or Relic’d to recreate the last known condition of the original, this pedal will complement your Red Special guitar and speaker chain.
Available solely as a battery-only operated unit, with either a battery clip or expanded foam to seat the battery.
I find this booster particularly good in front of a Deacy-style amp.
Price:
From £120
Genuine NOS BC149 / BC149C Transistor
As used in the original and specifically selected for the correct gain (hFE) range and low leakage to bring out the best tone.
The BC149 and BC149C are electronically identical, the only difference being that the BC149C comes in a higher gain range as standard.
Original-Style
Circuit Board
The circuit board used in this booster is of the same design as the original, with no solder mask and exposed tracks on the underside.
A modern smaller PCB can be specified as an alternative.
Optional Relic’d Condition
Enclosure aged and worn to replicate the known condition of the original ‘Orange Label’ booster.
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Paradigm Treble Booster
Classic Tones, Modern Reliability
Over recent years, NOS BC149 / BC149C transistors have become harder to get hold of in the correct specification, with the correct hFE and low enough leakage, and ensure that it’s not overwhelmed by hiss.
Evoking the spirit of the BC149 Treble Booster, The Yonderbosk Paradigm Treble Booster uses a more plentiful and consistent silicon transistor with similar characteristics to the BC149, and the same component values within the rest of the circuit, but utilising metal film resistors.
Price:
£95
Using a single-PCB construction for mounting the battery, booster circuit and jacks reduces the number of “loose wires” in the enclosure.
The PCB also incorporates the ability to fit a standard-style DC jack socket in one of three positions towards the top end of the enclosure (Top, left or right) to use an external power source, along with a hum-reducing circuit to reduce noise from the external power supply. A power LED can also be added if required.
Housed in a genuine Hammond 1590B enclosure with laser-etched branding.
