DLS Boost-Gain-Sustain – Alex Lifeson R40 Boost Pedal

Condition: Brand New
Designed for: Alex Lifeson of Rush
Tour use: Rush R40 40th Anniversary Tour
Effect type: Dual-channel boost, overdrive and sustain
Power: 12–14V DC, polarity-independent

Product description

The DLS Effects Boost-Gain-Sustain, commonly known as the BGS, was originally designed for Alex Lifesonshortly before Rush began its 2015 R40 40th Anniversary Tour.

Alex Lifeson and his guitar technician, Scott Appleton, asked DLS Effects designer Dave Sestito to create a custom pedal that could provide boost and sustain without conventional compression, preserve the natural character of the guitar and develop into a musical Rush-style distortion at higher gain settings.

Starting with the architecture of the DLS Reckless Driver, Dave redesigned the circuit with increased headroom, revised gain stages and a dedicated sustain system. After testing it during tour rehearsals, Alex approved the pedal and reportedly used it for approximately 60% of the R40 set, particularly for lead sounds.

From clean boost to Rush-style drive

The BGS offers two independent channels, each with its own Volume and Gain controls.

At lower settings, it works as a transparent boost or tone-enhancing preamp. Increase the gain and the sound becomes warmer, thicker and more harmonically complex, eventually moving into powerful Rush-inspired distortion.

The Normal channel’s Volume control also drives the Boost channel, functioning like a master level and creating additional interaction between the two sides.

Switchable sustain without conventional compression

The Sustain switch adds length and body to notes while helping the guitar feel hotter and fuller.

Rather than using a conventional compressor circuit, DLS developed a feedback-based sustain stage designed to preserve playing dynamics and tonal clarity. This was central to Alex Lifeson’s original request for the R40 tour.

Dynamic EQ and attack control

The switchable EQ section provides wide-ranging Bass and Treble controls:

• EQ on: Activates the Bass and Treble controls
• EQ off: Bypasses the tone section for a flatter, more direct response
• Bass: Adjusts the low-frequency body and weight
• Treble: Controls presence, clarity and upper-frequency bite
• Attack switch: Selects a brighter, more immediate response or a softer, warmer attack

These options allow the pedal to work with different guitars, pickups and amplifiers while maintaining the instrument’s natural identity.

Controls

• Normal Volume: Sets the Normal-channel level and drives the Boost channel
• Normal Gain: Adjusts clean boost through to overdrive
• Boost Volume: Sets the Boost-channel output
• Boost Gain: Moves from clean boost to powerful distortion
• Bass: Full-range low-frequency adjustment when the EQ is engaged
• Treble: Wide-range high-frequency adjustment when the EQ is engaged
• EQ switch: Activates or bypasses the Bass and Treble controls
• Sustain switch: Adds sustain and fattens the sound
• Attack switch: Selects higher/brighter or softer/warmer attack
• Boost footswitch: Changes between the Normal and Boost channels
• On/Off footswitch: Activates the pedal or true bypass

Specifications

• Effect type: Dual-channel boost, overdrive and sustain
• Channels: Normal and Boost
• EQ: Switchable Bass and Treble
• Sustain: Switchable
• Attack: Two-position switch
• Bypass: True bypass
• Internal operating voltage: Approximately 15V through an internal charge pump
• Power requirement: 12–14V DC
• Current requirement: Approximately 40mA
• Power connector: Standard 2.1mm DC jack
• Polarity: Polarity-independent
• Input and output: ¼-inch jacks
• Enclosure: Powder-coated die-cast aluminium
• Dimensions: Approximately 12 × 9.4 × 4.3cm
• Weight: Approximately 0.68kg
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Power supply: Not included unless specifically stated

The control functions, power requirements, dimensions and true-bypass design are documented in the official DLS BGS datasheet.

Ideal for

• Rush and Alex Lifeson-inspired tones
• Clean volume boosting
• Fat, sustaining lead sounds
• Dynamic overdrive
• Amp-like distortion
• Tone shaping without heavy compression
• Switching between rhythm and lead levels
• Single-coil and humbucker-equipped guitars

Fandango Guitars · Lugano, Switzerland

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