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The Battery-Free, On-Board,
BOOST and DISTORT circuits for your Guitar or Bass
Choose the boost level (Partial, Full or Subtle boost) and wiring diagram that best suits your needs. If you’re also installing our Black Ice Distort module, use either the BOOST ON/OFF AND DISTORT ON/OFF SWITCH or THE WORKS: A SWITCH FOR EVERY OPTION diagram. You can also refer to the installation instructions that came with the Distort module for additional options.
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Partial Boost provides approx. 4db of boost while retaining some of the high frequency sparkle that single coils are known for. (It also works well with low-medium output humbuckers, P90s, Jazz Bass* and other pickups that might benefit from additional output and slightly more midrange emphasis.)
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Full Boost provides approx. 7db of boost with a darker humbucker-like tonality.
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Our new Subtle Boost option provides just a touch of boost (approx. 2db) that's perfect for taking any pickup type to the next level with minimum tone coloration.
When wiring is completed, place Boost in space between pickup selector switch and volume pot (Strat*) or between volume and tone pot (Tele*) and mount with foam tape supplied.
Note: Black Ice Boost is not compatible with active (battery powered) pickups.
* Trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments
Black Ice Boost
Installation Instructions
WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR 4db PARTIAL and 7db FULL BOOST SETTINGS
Basic On/Off
Using a Push-Pull Pot or Mini Switch
The Works: A switch for every option
Distort On/Off, Boost On/Off, Partial/Full Boost
On/Off Switch for Boost
Second Switch Chooses Partial or Full Boost
Single 4PDT Mini Switch
Use this special 3-way on-on-on mini switch to activate 4db Partial and 7db Full Boost settings.
Boost On/Off and Distort On/Off Switch
Second switch turns on/off Distort module
WIRING DIAGRAMS FOR 2db SUBTLE BOOST SETTINGS
Basic On/Off
(2db Subtle Boost)
Using a Push-Pull Pot or Mini Switch
On/Off Switch for Boost
Second Switch Chooses 2db Subtle or 4db Partial Boost
Single 4PDT Mini Switch
Use this special 3-way on-on-on mini switch to activate 2db Subtle and 4db Partial Boost settings.
Black Ice Distort
Installation Instructions
If you are also installing a Black Ice BOOST module, we suggest using the BOOST ON/OFF AND DISTORT ON/OFF SWITCH or THE WORKS: A SWITCH FOR EVERY OPTION diagrams found in the Black Ice Boost instructions. If not, choose the level of distortion that best suits your playing style (Polite, Warm, Hot or Industrial Strength) and then use any of the wiring diagrams in this instruction sheet (they’re also compatible with Black Ice BOOST equipped guitars).
General notes:
• If you’d like to test drive Black Ice Distort before permanently installing it, temporarily connect it between the hot and ground of your guitars’ output jack.
• If you simply replace the tone control’s capacitor with Black Ice Distort (EZ Install), turning down the control (counterclockwise) will increase distortion.
• Use a 250k ohm pot for the Black Ice Distort control.
• Black Ice Distort has no polarity. Either “to guitar” lead can be connected to hot and ground.
• Insulate any unused Black Ice Distort leads with electrical tape, etc. so they don’t touch other components/wires.
It’s also worth pointing out:
• Black Ice Distort is for folks who’d like a convenient way to dial in a little fun and grit. It’s not a replacement for your favorite pedal, nor will it turn your amplifier into a fire-breathing stack. Black Ice Distort will not boost the volume or sustain of your guitar, unless it is used with our Black Ice Boost module. (A subtle volume drop may also be detected, particularly with the Hot and Industrial Strength wiring options.)
