Boss BP-1W Waza Booster Preamp

Boss BP-1W Waza Booster PreampMagical Enhancement For generations, savvy guitarists have relied on key pieces of analog gear to enhance their core tone. Though discontinued over 30 years ago, the CE 1 and RE 201 remain widely used by many players for their characterful preamps as much as their famous analog effect sounds. These secret weapons make the sound richer, fuller, and more satisfying to play, even when their effect processing is bypassed. The BP 1W lets you integrate the

Magical Enhancement

For generations, savvy guitarists have relied on key pieces of analog gear to enhance their core tone. Though discontinued over 30 years ago, the CE-1 and RE-201 remain widely used by many players for their characterful preamps as much as their famous analog effect sounds. These “secret weapons” make the sound richer, fuller, and more satisfying to play, even when their effect processing is bypassed. The BP-1W lets you integrate the magical tone-shaping properties of these legends into your own rig—without having to seek out rare and expensive vintage originals.

Versatile Analog Sound Shaping 

The BP-1W is one of the most flexible boost pedals available, offering three unique operation modes in a single compact stomp. Along with CE and RE vintage modes, a third mode provides a pristine clean boost when you want to pump the volume without added color. The Gain knob allows you to dial in a range of saturation and drive tones unique to each mode, while the Level knob lets you balance the effect/bypass sound or push downstream pedal and amp inputs for further tonal enhancement.     

Choose Your Tone Color

CE—This mode reproduces the CE-1 preamp tone, known for its bright, bell-like character and tight low-end response. Tweak the Gain knob to conjure an array of pleasing tones, from mild to aggressive.

RE—This mode reproduces the unique color and response of the RE-201 preamp circuitry. It adds fatness and warmth even at the lowest Gain settings, with increasing saturation as the knob is turned up. You can achieve powerful driven sounds with rich analog compression characteristics, providing foundational vintage color to feed pedals and amps.

NAT—Produces a punchy, natural voice with minimal coloration. The modern analog Waza Craft circuitry provides a wide boost range, delivering top performance for any standard clean boost application. 

Two Premium Buffers

The BP-1W features high-quality buffer circuitry with two selectable types. Slide the rear panel switch to choose between the pure signal of a standard buffer or a vintage buffer with lower input impedance. The vintage type produces a warmer tone and a smooth dynamic response, with maximum benefits achieved by connecting a guitar with passive pickups directly to the BP-1W’s input. The standard buffer is always engaged for signal conditioning when the pedal is bypassed, regardless of the buffer switch setting.

Waza Craft: The Art of Superior Tone

Since the beginning, the engineers at BOSS have been committed to achieving the finest guitar tones using any technology necessary, from old-school analog circuits to high-tech DSP. This enthusiastic spirit continues with the Waza Craft series, bringing you exceptional tone and touch response through carefully selected analog components, refined circuitry, and meticulous attention to detail. In Japan, “Waza” is the term for art and technique, and these special edition pedals proudly carry the Waza symbol to represent the pinnacle of BOSS design and craftsmanship.

Features

• Waza Craft innovation for a premium analog tone experience
• Premium booster and preamp pedal with analog circuitry derived from legendary BOSS and Roland effects
• Versatile design with three selectable modes
• CE mode reproduces the bright, bell-like preamp sound of the BOSS CE-1 Chorus Ensemble
• RE mode reproduces the fat, warm preamp sound of the Roland RE-201 Space Echo
• NAT mode provides a natural clean boost with minimal sound coloration  
• Gain knob controls the amount of saturation introduced into the signal
• Level knob for controlling the overall volume and driving the inputs of amps and other pedals
• Selectable standard or vintage input buffer with different tone and response characteristics
• Made in Japan
• BOSS five-year warranty

Specifications

Nominal Input Level

• 20 dBu

Input Impedance

Effect OFF

• 1 M ohms

Effect ON

• 1 M ohms (BUFFER switch: STD)
• 100 k ohms (BUFFER switch: VTG)

Nominal Output Level

• 20 dBu

Output Impedance

• 1 kΩ

Recommended Load Impedance

• 10 kΩ or greater

Bypass

• Buffered bypass

Controls

• GAIN knob
• LEVEL knob
• BUFFER switch (STD/VTG SW)
• MODE switch
• Pedal switch

Indicator

• CHECK indicator (Serves also as battery check indicator)

Connectors

• INPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
• DC IN jack

Power Supply

• Alkaline battery (9 V, 6LR61)
• AC adaptor (PSA series: sold separately)

Current Draw

• 60 mA

Expected battery life under continuous use (These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.)

• Alkaline: Approx. 4.5 hours

Dimensions

• 73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm
• 2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches

Weight (including battery)

• 430 g
• 1 lb

Accessories

• Leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY”
• Dry battery (9 V, 6LR61)

Options (sold separately)

• AC adaptor: PSA series

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms