The Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 is an Electro-Harmonix distortion pedal, currently around $40. Close alternatives include the Greer Amps Sonic Boom and the TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive. It pairs well with the PRS MT100 and the Laney DBV410-4 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet.
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
Electro-Harmonix · pedal
The Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 is a simple, single-transistor Linear Power Booster that provides transparent signal amplification without significant frequency coloring or harmonic alteration. Originally introduced in the 1960s, the LPB-1 uses a single NPN transistor to boost the guitar signal, driving tube amplifiers into natural saturation or increasing signal strength for long cable runs. Its single Boost control spans from unity gain to significant amplification. The LPB-1 is one of the simplest and most effective clean boost circuits ever produced, widely used by blues, rock, and country players.
What stands out
“Most commonly used to push a tube amp from clean to natural breakup, or to increase output for leads”
— from the community notes
“single-transistor linear power booster that provides transparent signal amplification”
— from the listing
“At maximum boost into a tube amp, the harmonic enhancement is natural and musical”
— from the community notes
“Driving a tube amp with the LPB-1 at full boost produces natural, harmonic overdrive that sounds genuinely like the amp working harder”
— from the reviews
“Originally introduced in the 1960s, the LPB-1 uses a single NPN transistor to boost the guitar signal, driving tube amplifiers into natural saturation or increasing signal strength for long cable runs”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“which is a limitation for players who need frequency adjustment alongside the boost”
— from the community notes
- transparent
- boost
- harmonic
- transistor
- gain
- natural
- full
- saturation
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 is commonly used in
- Rock
- Blues
- Country
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
PRS MT100
PRS
26% matchInto a transparent tone, PRS MT100 brings a pull toward medium gain that's missing
Comes later in the signal chain
Laney DBV410-4 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet
Laney
11% matchElectro-Harmonix LPB-1's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Omega Darkglass Alpha Omega 500
Omega
10% matchElectro-Harmonix LPB-1's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Roland Cube Street Mini
Roland
10% matchElectro-Harmonix LPB-1's own transparent character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SYN-50 2-Channel 50W Modular Preamp Head
Synergy
9% matchElectro-Harmonix LPB-1 leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes later in the signal chain
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Synergy SL2 Module brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Ceriatone 2202H brings a pull toward high gain that's missing
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt leans this transparent tone toward high gain, which it doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
Klon Centaur
Klon
31% matchThe LPB-1's transparent, natural boost stacks ahead of the Klon Centaur's midrange-forward overdrive for a bigger, breakup-ready push.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Beetronics Overhive
Beetronics
28% matchThe LPB-1's natural, transparent transistor boost pushes the Overhive's medium-gain drive without smearing its color.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
20% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Ahead of the Bad, the LPB-1's natural, transparent transistor boost pushes the signal harder before the modulation ever colors it.
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR Dyna Comp
MXR
19% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (transparent → mid-forward)
Dyna Comp's sensitive compression ahead of the LPB-1 evens out dynamics before the boost's own transparent gain hits.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Meris Polymoon
Meris
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep the Polymoon after the LPB-1 — the natural, transparent boost stays clean and the delay's own modulated, complex repeats trail behind it. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Dawner Prince Boonar
Dawner Prince
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Ahead of the Boonar, the LPB-1's natural, transparent transistor boost pushes the signal harder before the delay ever repeats it. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Wampler Dual Fusion
Wampler
9% matchWhat Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 brings here leans toward transparent — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Into a transparent tone, Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 brings a pull toward fuzzy that's missing
Boutique & premium upgrades
J. Rockett Steampunk Boost/Buffer
J Rockett
65% similarityShared character: 60 watt all tube combo amplifier, long cable runs, boost
Mad Professor Loud N Proud
Mad Professor
63% similarityShared character: 60 watt all tube combo amplifier, circuit, boost
JHS Overdrive/Preamp
JHS Pedals
59% similarityShared character: boost, simple, gain
Jackson Audio Golden Boy
Jackson Audio
57% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost
EarthQuaker Devices
55% similarityShared character: boost, natural, simple
Blackstar Dept. 10 Boost
Blackstar
54% similarityShared character: boost, natural, simple
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Greer Amps Sonic Boom
Greer
62% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive
TC Electronic
62% similarityShared character: boost, natural, transparent
Keeley KTM-B Time Machine Boost
Keeley
62% similarityShared character: 60 watt all tube combo amplifier, boost, natural
Danelectro CEO
Danelectro
59% similarityShared character: boost, simple, transparent
JAM Pedals Boomster
Jam Pedals
58% similarityShared character: 60 watt all tube combo amplifier, boost, transparent
SONICAKE Sonic Super Master
Sonicake
58% similarityShared character: long cable runs, boost
See all alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1?+
The closest matches in character are the Greer Amps Sonic Boom, the TC Electronic Zeus Drive Overdrive, the Keeley KTM-B Time Machine Boost. Boutique upgrades: J. Rockett Steampunk Boost/Buffer, Mad Professor Loud N Proud, JHS Overdrive/Preamp.
What pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS MT100, Laney DBV410-4 Digbeth 4x10 Cabinet, Omega Darkglass Alpha Omega 500 — Into a transparent tone, PRS MT100 brings a pull toward medium gain that's missing.
How much does the Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 cost?+
Around $40 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).