Catalinbread EP 3 Epoch Boost Pedal

£139.99

Catalinbread will not fail to impress. The Catalinbread EP 3 Epoch Boost Pedal in Guitar Pedals is New, in stock, and ready to ship with fast, reliable delivery across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. For more details within Guitar Pedals, additional Preamp Pedals options, full specifications, demos, images, videos, and secure online ordering, read on below. The legendary Maestro EP-3 Echoplex unit was employed by some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most significant guitar players, notably Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page and Brian May. While these game-changing guitar icons used the EP-3’s warm analogue tape echo sound to great effect (no pun intended), they also relied on…

More Details

View more in ,
Tags: ,
View more by

As an affiliate partner, we may earn a small commission when you buy through our links — at no extra cost to you.


Description

Catalinbread will not fail to impress. The Catalinbread EP 3 Epoch Boost Pedal in Guitar Pedals is New, in stock, and ready to ship with fast, reliable delivery across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. For more details within Guitar Pedals, additional Preamp Pedals options, full specifications, demos, images, videos, and secure online ordering, read on below.

The legendary Maestro EP-3 Echoplex unit was employed by some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most significant guitar players, notably Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page and Brian May. While these game-changing guitar icons used the EP-3’s warm analogue tape echo sound to great effect (no pun intended), they also relied on its magical “always-on” preamp to enhance the sounds of their amplifiers.

Catalinbread’s Epoch Boost pedal accurately reproduces the tone of the EP-3’s highly sought-after preamp section – in compact stompbox form! Using some of the same components fitted in original EP-3 units, including NOS Sprague Orange Drop capacitors, the Epoch Boost is arguably the most realistic-sounding Echoplex preamp pedal on the market.

The Ultimate “Mastering” Pedal

The folks at Catalinbread refer to the Epoch Boost as a “mastering pedal”. That’s because it retains the core qualities of your base tone, but sculpts its EQ to perfection just like a mastering engineer would in a professional recording studio. Catalinbread has accomplished this by using the same internal circuitry you’d find in a real EP-3, which has the same tone-enhancing qualities. From the NOS Orange Drop capacitors to the output mixer stage that acts as a rudimentary frequency selector – they’ve ensured that every little detail is there!

Plenty of Headroom

Apart from its true-to-the-original circuitry, Catalinbread has also designed the Epoch Boost in a way that kicks its internal voltage up to 22-volts – just like real-life EP-3 units would. This guarantees greater headroom and clarity; thickening the sound of your amplifier and adding that unmistakable Echoplex “sheen”.

Hi-Z Input Buffer

Catalinbread has added a switchable ‘hi-Z’ input buffer inside its Epoch Boost stompbox. This is ideal if you intend to use the Epoch Boost as your only “always on” pedal, or if you have it as one of the first effects in a long signal chain. The ‘Boost’ control gives you just the EP-3 tone when rolled off, but adds up to 20dB of crystal-clear boost as you crank it!

Key Features

  • Pocket-sized reproduction of the “early” EP-3 preamp
  • Up to 20dB sparkling, dynamic boost on tap
  • 22V shunt-regulated internal power supply – BYO 9V supply 
  • NOS Sprague Orange Drop capacitors just like the original
  • Closest production JFET we could find to original TIS58
  • Biased a tad hotter than the stock unit for extra warmth
  • Internally switchable hi-Z input buffer restores high-end lost due to cable capacitance
  • Super-sharp embossed enclosure

Specifications

  • Pedal Type: Boost
  • Analogue/Digital: Analogue
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4″
  • Outputs: 1 x 1/4″
  • True Bypass: Yes
  • Power Source: Accepts 9V DC (Centre-Negative)
  • Power Usage: 1mA
  • Batteries: 1 x 9V
  • Height: 1.96″
  • Width: 4.33″
  • Depth: 2.36″
  • Weight: .40 lbs

Additional information

Weight 0.5 kg

Stuff About Guitar Pedals

Guitar pedals are compact effects units that shape and enhance a guitar’s sound, sitting between the instrument and the amplifier. They include gain pedals like overdrive and distortion, modulation effects such as chorus and tremolo, time-based effects like delay and reverb, and essential utilities including tuners, compressors and loopers. Understanding basic things such as pedal type, signal order, power requirements and intended use helps players choose pedals that suit their style, setup and playing environment.

Stuff About Preamp Pedals

Preamp pedals are designed to shape and boost a guitar’s core tone, often acting as the front end of an amplifier or as a complete amp-style sound on a pedalboard. They can add clean gain, warmth, EQ control, or amp-like drive, and are commonly used to improve signal strength, push an amp harder, or run directly into a power amp or recording interface. Understanding output level, EQ controls and how they interact with other pedals helps players use preamp pedals effectively in both live and studio setups.

The Important stuff

Boost

Boost pedals give your signal that extra push — perfect for cutting through the mix or driving your amp into sweet natural overdrive. Whether you want a clean volume lift for solos or a touch of grit to wake up your tone, a good boost adds clarity, punch, and presence without changing your core sound. Simple, powerful, and essential on any board, a boost pedal can turn a good tone into a great one with just one stomp.

. Pedal — Pedals are the tools that let you shape, colour and transform your sound, from subtle tone enhancement to bold, creative effects. Whether you are adding grit, space, movement or control, a pedal becomes part of your playing rather than just an add-on. Exploring different pedals is about discovering what responds to your touch and helps your sound feel more like your own..

Related gear