Electro-Harmonix LPB-1From real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment80%
PROS 80%
CONS 20%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an affordable, simple way to push a tube amp into natural saturation
  • You play single-coil guitars and want extra thickness/fatness
  • You want a DIY-friendly, modifiable circuit for pedal building

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a fully transparent, uncolored clean boost
  • You mainly play through solid-state or already-dirty channels
  • You're sensitive to added midrange or hum from boosted single coils

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
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Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
Pushes tube amps into natural overdriveExcellent as an fx loop / solo boostSimple, durable, DIY-friendly circuitPlacement-dependent, confusing for new usersBuild quality concerns on some EHX unitsCan muddy or darken tone
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1
Pushes tube amps into natural overdrive
Excellent as an fx loop / solo boost
Simple, durable, DIY-friendly circuit
Placement-dependent, confusing for new users
Build quality concerns on some EHX units
Can muddy or darken tone

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Pushes tube amps into rich, natural overdrive. Multiple users describe the LPB-1 as an 'amp killer' that overdrives tube amps beautifully, from vintage Fender Deluxe Reverbs to Marshall plexis and Ampeg bass rigs. It's often placed in the fx loop or end of the chain for volume/solo boosts without altering tone character, letting the amp's own voice come through louder and heavier rather than adding its own drive coloration on top.

Placement in the signal chain drastically changes the result. Several commenters note that putting the LPB-1 before distortion or overdrive pedals mostly adds lows and crunch without real volume boost, while placing it in the fx loop or after other overdrives delivers a clean, cutting solo boost. Users troubleshooting muddy or overly bright results were often advised to reposition it rather than assume it was faulty.

Cheap, simple, and beloved by DIYers, but not everyone loves the tonal shift. At $14.95 to $40 depending on era, buyers consistently call it a bargain compared to boutique alternatives like the Rangemaster, and its simple circuit has inspired decades of home-built clones and mods. However, some report it muddying the sound, adding unwanted midrange, or boosting 60-cycle hum on single coils, and a couple mention broken knobs on other EHX units.

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