Electron Brothers 228 Pre Discrete Transistor Pre-Amplifier Pedal

Product Description

The Electron Brothers 228 PRE is a boutique discrete transistor preamp pedal inspired by the character and musicality of legendary solid-state studio microphone preamps from the 1970s and 1980s. Purpose-built for guitar, it enhances your instrument's natural voice by adding warmth, punch, and dynamic response without introducing clipping or traditional overdrive distortion.

Rather than colouring your tone with heavy saturation, the 228 PRE delivers the feel and harmonic richness of an overdrive while maintaining a clean signal path. The unique Input Gain and Output Gain controls each influence both gain and playing feel, allowing you to dial in everything from subtle enhancement to a responsive, amp-like push that reacts naturally to your picking dynamics.

Dedicated High Frequency and Low Frequency controls provide extensive tonal shaping, making it easy to tighten the low end, smooth bright pickups, or focus the midrange when driving an amplifier or another overdrive pedal. Whether used as the foundation of your tone, a clean boost, or the first stage of a gain stack, the 228 PRE offers exceptional clarity, versatility, and touch sensitivity.

Key Features

• Boutique discrete transistor preamp design
• Inspired by vintage solid-state studio microphone preamps
• Enhances clean tone without clipping the signal
• Dynamic, amp-like response under the fingers
• Input and Output Gain controls shape both feel and character
• High-pass and low-pass filters for detailed tone shaping
• Excellent clean boost or front-end tone enhancer
• Ideal for pushing amplifiers and overdrive pedals
• Preserves clarity while adding warmth and harmonic richness
• Handcrafted boutique construction

Specifications

• Model: 228 PRE
• Effect Type: Discrete Transistor Preamp
• Circuit: Fully Analogue Discrete Transistor Design
• Controls:
  • Input Gain
  • Low Frequency (LF)
  • High Frequency (HF)
  • Output Gain
• Input Gain Range: Approximately 0–12 dB
• Output Gain Range: Approximately 0–18 dB
• LF Control:
  • 6 dB/Octave High-Pass Filter
  • Adjustable from 0–112 Hz (-3 dB Point)
• HF Control:
  • Guitar-Tuned Low-Pass Filter
• Applications:
  • Clean Boost
  • Tone Shaping
  • Amp Front-End Enhancement
  • Gain Stacking

Controls

• Input Gain
• Low Frequency (LF)
• High Frequency (HF)
• Output Gain