The Jordan Boss Tone Fuzz

[@fall0ut007]

9:45 I was howling when josh said "I'm not going to brag, but I can read tabs"

[@bearclan]

I borrowed a guitar in 1968, from the brother of a friend. It had a little box plugged into the jack, and when I turned on the amp, it howled with the most beautiful shriek I'd ever heard. I didn't know what that little box was until you told me. Thank you, Josh! I love you for clearing up my 53 year old mystery!! Blessings and peace be with you. Now, I wish I could afford to buy a reproduction... damn.

[@lessthanbug]

I loved seeing Godzilla playing guitar! I saw him live once- he was playing his smash hit, "Blue Oyster Cult". This would have been around '77, I think. He was REALLY BIG in Japan at the time...

[@bimscutney1242]

Well done. 👍

[@ReddestRosa]

I thought Godzilla was a French band 😉

[@jimthecraftyguitarist878]

I saw BOC in 1984 at the Long Beach Sports Arena. That had the inflatable Godzilla in all his glory on stage for the duration of the song 🐉

[@lessthanbug]

@@bimscutney1242 Beer Fest reference?

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

I saw Godzilla back in '78, and he had a HUGE inflatable Oyster! I heard that eventually it became a cu...

[@mikenoface]

"I'm not gonna brag, but I can read tabs." ... - every 90's guitar player

[@ugisimmers6836]

that’s a quote for a t-shirt

[@K9SolutionsLLC]

I represent that remark....

[@nedim_guitar]

"I'm not gonna brag, but I can correct tabs", because most of them are wrong.

[@rasciodc4699]

"You don't have to like it to love it" You touched me Josh, I feel touched by your wisdom.

[@murff625]

I worked at the Sho Bud pedal steel guitar factory in Nashville in the from 73 to 75. They manufactured Sho Bud amps on the third floor. Perhaps Sho Bud owned Boss Tone at that time. I'm not sure but they were also making Boss Tone fuzz boxes. They also had Boss Tone wah wah pedals. I don't know if they were still manufacturing them or not but they had a stock pile of them. I had one of the wah wah pedals.

[@TheMrDunker]

I have one of them and they suck

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

In high school, my band did a double bill with a band where the guitar player had one of these. So it was his blackguard Tele into a Boss Tone into a white Dual Showman. He sounded like Jeff Beck from the Truth album. Because I'm ancient, none of this equipment was "vintage" at the time. :)

[@blairswitchproject2347]

When Josh sings “He Has the Box!” ..... I’m dead.

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

If only you were.

[@jansen2158]

@@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888 why do say that?

[@mschroeckenfuchs]

pure gold

[@blairswitchproject2347]

@@jansen2158 it’s just so funny. The way he leans over and and sings it with that smirk on his face.... priceless. This episode if full of awesome moments like that. Great content. Great channel.

[@timothyhoder4591]

The V3 tones were earthy and haunting.

[@50Something]

V3 spits octaves up! Very cool! Want!

[@kaarefestvog6540]

Also made by Sho Bud. Favorite of pedal steel players. The earlier versions of the Steel Driver were a copy of that one. Don't know if it's true but people it's said Sneaky Pete Kleinow may have used it on the steel parts of the Gilded Palace of Sin.

[@deepdoodle]

I love the history aspect of this channel so much. Josh, you should write a book about the history of guitar sound modification and chasing tone.

[@dantemurphy2729]

Man that V1 sounds AMAZING.

[@michaelmattson3515]

I had a Boss Tone & a 60s SG. You don’t know what you got until it’s gone. Pedal Steel players liked the Boss Tone too. I’m watching Who’s Line is it Anyway and your show during commercials. Best of both worlds.

[@halvach1998]

Nailed the Spirit in the Sky tone, I've been thinking of building a fuzz for years, this is the one - at last, a use for my secret stash of Ge transistors.

[@stephenthoule]

"Not gonna brag, but I can read tabs." 😂🤣😂 classic JHS.

[@jonny1251]

I always thought the Jordan Bosstone was way underrated. For example, Captain beefheart, Muddy waters on "Electric Mud", The Standells..it was huge among many during the golden age of fuzz. If it came in a huge badass enclosure like the Fuzz Face, Tonebender, or Marshall Supa Fuzz, it would've been 10x more sought after than it is currently

[@kepler16b]

Josh’s energy on fridays crushes his energy on Wednesdays. It’s almost like this was filmed before

[@simonefocarelli9160]

I'm not a drummer but that snare sounds unbelievable! Great episode.

[@crackthefoundation_]

the whole kit is eq'd but yes i agree

[@rhykko77]

Boss Tone was my first distortion device ......along with my first electric guitar Vox Bulldog solidbody , and first, amp a Sears Silvertone Twin Twelve (model 1484) .....I loved the tones at the time. And yes, my Boss Tone also picked up certain AM radio stations when oriented in certain directions .

[@desmondmyers]

12:40 I’m literally replacing original screws on a pedal listening to this and feeling CALLED OUT

[@SakariKempas]

Yeah, I'm feeling attacked too

[@wadewozniak8705]

You’re SO screwed!

[@RattlesnakeJakey]

Josh be like "in order to tell the story of danelectro we have to start with the first ice age.

[@johnandkassbolles7708]

The Jordan Boss Tone was my second fuzz box. I bought it at Godfrey's Music in Binghamton, NY, because I wanted to get the sound of the lead guitar in "American Woman" by the Guess Who. My first fuzz box was a Lafayette Electronics fuzz box.

[@lightaces]

I've owned two Polytone's over the years (actually, I still do, but one of the power transformers is kaput, and I haven't found another). I use them for testing guitars during repair, and they are the best damn amps around to let you know exactly what is coming out of the guitar. It doesn't shape the sound at all - it's just clean and precise. I also used to use it a ton when I was trying (badly) to be a jazz guitar player, but I try not to talk about that.

[@PierceThirlen2]

I remember how badly radio stations played through the Boss Tone. Back in about 1970 in high school, I made a few copies of the circuit and put them into very heavy aluminum cases. All of the radio interference problems disappeared. i also used full size good quality pots, instead of those cheesy little pots that often broke in the Boss Tone. In fact, the reason that I got my hands on the Boss Tone was that a fellow guitarist in school had one with broken pots that I repaired.

[@REKlaus]

I bought a Boss Tone around 1969 and returned it as it picked up a local AM radio station. In the mid 1970's I was working in a music store in Nashville TN and the Jordan Boss Tones where extremely popular with the pedal steel players to imitate a string section. After Jordan went out of business, Show-Bud (pedal steel and amp manufacturer in Nashville that for a time was owned by Baldwin) in Nashville was building Boss Tones for the steel guitar market. Those had grey nylon like volume and attack knobs. I still have a Jordon made one.

[@fenderdude0bob109]

I have to say, Josh must be one of the happiest folks on Earth with what he does. It's refreshing to see somebody working the business that he does, then still have the nerdy level of love and appreciation for effects and effect history that he does. I also appreciate his giant nerdy collection of effects. I'm not jealous, you're jealous.

[@ralphbyers6136]

I love your videos! Sometimes I just want to go back to an episode and just listen to your music. I wish you guys would periodically put out videos of just the songs/ jams from your videos put together like an album or playlist. 20, 30 or 40 minutes worth so we can enjoy all of your pedal magic creativity in a more native, listening to music kind of way. If you are too busy, I’m happy to help. Sincerely

[@Moka8]

I've been curious about the tones on "Spirit in the Sky" for years now. Thank you for this!

[@beaniebailey62]

For anyone interested, those patch pedals are incredibly simple to build (I built the one in the video) and it'd be really easy to add true bypass switching to it if you'd ever like to move your little plug and play unit to a pedalboard👌🏻 cool episode Josh!

[@tuckpendelton]

Hey could you show me the pedal you built? Im dying to build one

[@crackthefoundation_]

Seconding @Justin Tucker

[@marcofioravanti4176]

I have the box! "I´m not gonna brag"... but my red BUZZ TONE arrived today, here in Germany! Love it! Cheers! 👍

[@rustyl.6358]

Love seeing Josh play the Gibson Gold Top!! Watched the entire episode, as usual. And always love the history. Into music and history. (Among other things.)

[@FredLewis1979]

V1 is the best in this video, I’ve played all the clones and all the originals. It’s my favourite fuzz.

[@cloudconnect]

I have been searching for the answer to the Norman Greenbaum Spirit Fuzz sound for many years. Not a lot on the guy because of the short popularity. Books, people, internet, and you finally answered it. Thank you, Josh.

[@tymime]

V1 sounded the most like the record to me, I wish they'd based the new version on that.

[@fiasco348]

Yeah the other versions weren't as bright as the v1 sound which to my ear was the original 'Spirit in the Sky' sound.

[@crackthefoundation_]

I Think I agree but is that just because he was playing the v1 during the intro part which is the most distinctive? would need a run through of all of them from the top

[@MrGuitarfreak132]

I agree I liked V1 the best

[@ElMuttley]

That was one of the most beautiful videos I've ever seen on "guitar youtube". The way Josh talks about what he knows and loves is simply beautiful. I wish more guitar players would be that enthusiastic about guitar, since guitar's been dying lately. Thank you, Josh

[@masonianbund]

“I’m not going to brag but I can read tab” is the next shirt I need

[@JC-11111]

Fuck yes!

[@juancarlossuarez7486]

Is the next shirt *we* need

[@patrickbutcherine142]

I concure!! I also think he needs to make a "loud is more good" shirt. It was written on the dry erase board in one of his videos. When I took a screen shot of it and the look on his face at that moment is priceless gold. I pitched the idea and didnt get not even a fuck off, which I would of liked better than no reply... were gonna have to make them ourselves and put several company/brand names on it or something

[@Frankyandhisguitar]

Who messed with the drum tones!? They were sounding so good in previous episodes. Still love you Nick.

[@nikos4828]

Love the bosstone don't understand why this fuzz has not been famous. Love your red version, hope you will put more on the market.

[@nou1101]

I want a 20 minute episode about that damn space jam game

[@ashhicks6664]

Check out AVGN’s video on tiger electronics. I don’t think the space jam one is on it but you’ll see that those things suck ass.

[@jeremeydonovan8286]

Hey Josh! I love your record time segment ! Spirit is so cool how did I never hear of them before? I love your show and now I love Spirit! Thanks to you!

[@rasciodc4699]

Nick looks VERY excited at the drums

[@jimthecraftyguitarist878]

You could totally see Nick was in the zone for spirit in the sky...

[@rasciodc4699]

Indeed

[@RandalSmith]

Worked with a steel player in the mid ‘70’s who used a Boss Tone to simulate a string section. I used one on my guitar for a while. Didn’t sound like a string section with a guitar.

[@marshallsmusic4548]

I saw Johnny Bush's steel guitarist use it that way. Probable around '67.

[@jimthecraftyguitarist878]

In the 70s Randy California replaced Ritchie Blackmore for one night in Deep Purple when Ritchie was ill. Thought you should know. It's no big deal. I already had the random knowledge in my head anyway.

[@zachalderson5608]

Though I did not get here in time to get one of your Buzz Tone's, I think its really cool that yall made a little supply of them. It would be dope if yall kept doing that sorta thing: talking about a pedal you love from the past, and then making limited stock of them, in your own style, just for us. I feel so special.

[@aaronholt511]

It has been said that Josh is the Mr. Rogers of the pedal world, but this video is giving me Alton Brown/Good Eats vibes. He makes the history entertaining and funny, then shows us how to cook.

[@durstgt]

is harmony central still updated? remember OLGA? 90s internet nostalgia right there

[@Tije.O]

Great episode. Fun trivia: The 'Fresh Garbage' song from Spirit is sampled by Beck on the song 'Feel good time' he produced for Pink.

[@kimreynolds3024]

I bought one of these around 1967 and still have it. Green pc board, so I think that's version 1? After seeing this video, I put a fresh battery in it and plugged it in. Yep ... that's the sound my parents couldn't stand. But I bless them for giving up their garage to me and my "band mates". Kept us out of trouble ... or at least, serious trouble!

[@dankauffmanmusic]

My JHS Buzz Tone came yesterday... and it sounds amazing. Will be demoing it too.

[@Mr.D34]

Wow you have some cool Sovtek amps behind you Josh. I bet you got some of their pedals too. Probably no one has ever mentioned this but you definitely should do an episode about Sovtek. Love you man, cheers!

[@mctwishvonnoodles9793]

The second V3 at 5:39 has a REALLY unique sound, I'm half tempted to ask Josh for the schematic on that exact unit

[@duaneanderson6393]

you are getting really good at stand up and your straight man is perfect

[@victorsilvas9603]

Played one in the 60's. Saw Randy California play one & Doc the lead guitarist with the Mama's and the Poppa's.

[@THEItchybruddah]

I sleep better knowing I’m the kind of viewer you care about. THANK you!

[@mikerichardson7261]

Spirit also included Jay Ferguson, who later formed Jo Jo Gunne and had a solo hit with "Thunder Island".

[@rawknbearbell7032]

Randy's solo album Kapt Kopter is one of my favs

[@RandomButtonPusher]

Jo Jo Gunne put out a couple solid albums. Jay then went on to be a prolific soundtrack composer for TV shows and a some movies.

[@maxadocious]

There was a moment in this episode when Josh said "Polytone" and my eyes bugged out of my head because i am a huge fan of their products. Would JHS ever consider doing a polytone video? i know i'm just a lowly keyboard player but they are really great amps

[@tomdevos4217]

JHS vlogs are seriously the best! Thanks guys!

[@sirjoshuapaul]

I'm a fan of the version 1. I love that you guys made your own version. I'm bummed they sold out before I could snag one. Thanks for making things fun. Blessings on you guys.

[@josephlopez5681]

Not only does Josh have almost every pedal on Earth, he also has weird early nuclear measurement technology. Soon this man will be collecting pottery from ancient civilizations or something.

[@mCreecher91]

This video is why JHS is my favorite guitar channel

[@ohkee]

Yes :D Great editing! I like the new graphic design and the little mistakes-that-I-kept-in-the-video style. Great work guys! Looking forward for the next one :)

[@tosseddwarf]

This should have over a million views! It proves beyond reasonable doubt that this is where the Spirit In The Sky tone came from, and thus solves one of the very greatest mysteries in all of guitar tone history. Subbed!

[@johnnyboymcconnell43]

I just looked.... 4105 W Belmont Ave in Chicago is no longer Sound Services. Good luck getting that pedal serviced...

[@richborum8865]

I had a Boss Tone I bought in San Diego in 1971 no idea which version I had but I wish you would have demo'd the #2 I have a feeling I had either #1 or #2. Of the ones I heard the 1 and the first 3 were close to what I remember. Really liked the whole presentation.

[@dadhobbies]

Love all the spring classics but that one has a special place in my heart.

[@marshallsmusic4548]

I have a Boss Tone Model 6248. It was distributed by Gretsch. The box says Sho-Sound Nashville, Tenn. It still works and sounds great. I'm pretty sure I got it in '69-'70.

[@jordanharding6691]

As a Jordan. I really enjoyed this video.

[@senacht]

Pedals aside, this episode contains what has to be some of the best music I’ve ever heard on this channel. Well done gentlemen!

[@timmungenast]

Hard to pick a fave episode, since you made so many fun ones, but this has to be one of the best.

[@williambain2646]

This has been the best episode on a small company yet !!!!! Has there been an episode on the pre 0 series (large box) Ibanez pedals, or the pre- FX series DOD pedals ?

[@40WattPodcast]

Put a foot switch on that little box you made and sell that to convert so many of these direct-into-guitar effects into a much more usable format!

[@mckinleymorton]

Pride for the sinner! Seriously, those boss tone demos were great. Fascinating that different versions of the same model sound so different. I would love to hear other versions of standard pedals, if there are differences. Like Neil's tone coming from one, special amp...

[@patricktaylor4997]

Great video. Very informative. From what I've read, there was apparently a floor pedal model of the Bosstone, made by Jordan in the early 70s. This is one of the effects that Nash The Slash would play his electric mandolin through. (it had been seen on his pedal board) You hear it on some of his solo stuff as well as his work with the band FM.

[@TheBigGuppy]

Great! You did my Bosstone request. Now what would be REALLY COOL is the history of DeArmond effect. They did some great and wacky stuff.

[@urbanwikstrom9246]

Big thanks to Nick and Allison! You make that tall pedaldesigner guy sound really good! Thanks! Great show! I`ve learnt alot from you guys.

[@JV-rx3ov]

I've got a really great Creepy Fingers Boss Tone that Brad made for me years ago. I LOVE that thing. It sounds so cool with so many different amps & guitars if it's style of fuzzstortion is your jam. A highly recommended piece of tone hardware.

[@TheFeelButton]

Great deep dive! Cheers Josh!!

[@matthewwallacemusicofficial]

i want a morley episode. no, i need a morley episode. from the oil can delay to the treadle-operated phaser, to the fuzz-wah. let's hear it!

[@aaronhazlett]

I’m kind of out of my mind at the fact that I’ve never heard of such a thing, that you nailed spirit in the sky, it’s sounds so amazing and that you say noocular.

[@christianlacasse]

I got a Jordan guitar amp at home. I love the chorus inside. Never heard other amp with that kind of chorus.

[@ronmatthews7213]

I have the pedal version of the Mahoney Jordan Buzz Tone and absolutely love it. I'd love to get one of your red re-issues but it, like the original version, is not Strat friendly. I wanted one back in the '60s but couldn't make it fit my Strats which is how I ended with a Mosrite FuzzRite. I did see some guys flipping the output cup to make it an outtie instead of an innie but didn't like the look. Did you mention why Mahoney didn't call the re-issues Boss Tones like the originals. It appears some other pedal company took offense to them using the Boss name. I wonder who?

[@PhilLament]

Please live forever, JHS crew. Love your stuff (I might even buy a couple pedals one day). Yes, Pedals: The Musical was the best musical theater I've watched this year...and I watched Hamilton on Disney+ (twice)!

[@phillipbland2861]

Really enjoy the pedal history videos you do. Been a fan of the channel for a while. Just picked up my first JHS pedal today!

[@stephanematis]

I love you goofballs! The intros to all videos manage to make me smile so much it hurts :D ... ok onto the rest of the video!

[@sidneyshaw3161]

I can't explain why but this video made my day better.

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Watching this channel, I am in the presence of greatness.

[@jamesprosser7236]

Oh man this channel is just a gold mine of nuggets of information! Kudos to Josh and the team!

[@jeremybaker195]

Man I watched this only a few hours after it posted and the red box was already sold out🥺 Please make more🥺🥺🙏🙏

[@richardf.8412]

Spirit, an excellent recommendation. Randy California, Rest In Peace.

[@matbouche]

Josh, you're a real well of science...How can you remember all these informations ? So much knowledge, that's insane !

[@keeganyarber5089]

Wow, I love that Jordan Creator pedal! Nice playing, Josh!

[@johnulrich5572]

I was in a band in '66 and the lead guitar player and I each bought one so we could play Satisfaction and other songs that needed fuzz. I had a Duo-Sonic II and the other guitarist had a Jaguar. It pluged in to the socket on the tops of the guitars great but it didn't work on Strat or Tele. The lead player broke his Boss Tone and borrowed mine. I never saw it again. Never loan gear to a lead guitar player. They have such a undeserved sense of entitlement. Karma came back to bite him the butt because the neck on his Jaguar warped. Wow! I came here for the Boss Tone and wound up with therapy!

[@rsilva1975]

I used mine on my strats, but you had to unscrew the plug in jack, invert it and put it back in place so that it projected outward instead of slanting into the body! Then you could plug the bosstone in at an angle, run your guitar cable from there through your guitar strap on the back end to secure the cable and bosstone in place so they wouldnt get pulled out accidentally.

[@paultumulty5430]

How did I know Josh would pronounce nuclear - “nuke-u-ler” ?

[@MrScrofulous]

Well, he can't say soLder :)

[@mattelder9147]

I think there was beer involved

[@likwidflame]

@@MrScrofulous sawder me boards

[@alextheguitarist7282]

Nuke u ler alligator... I'll see myself out....

[@scotthutchens1203]

Like saying “re-lit-er” instead of the correct way-“real-tor”.😂

[@jezwilliams4888]

So glad you mentioned Randy in your Boss Tone episode a true legend sadly underappreciated and sorely missed.Check out Girl in Your Eye from Spirits eponymous debut for mega Boss Tone action in fact all four original line up Lps are essential spread the word.He was in a band with Hendrix when he was fifteen for @#*£ sake.Love the show Josh keep up the good work.

[@voided76]

I do love josh's goldtop. his bit with the morning glory and the paul was outstanding

[@TheMarzGamer]

Josh: A “ Ronde van Vlaanderen” shirt! Fav cycling day race. Next Sunday it’s one.

[@JC3D]

drums sound great! all the guitar effects sound killer! ahhh Spirt - one of my first bands played Mr. Skin and I love that song!

[@wadeadkins4927]

The original Boss Tone V1 sounded best. It had the most satisfactory fuzz crumble and tonal balance to my ears. I wasn't in the room obviously, but that was my favorite from what I heard.The others were either too fizzy or woofy. Cool video, thanks!

[@gtani7]

For real fun, you can plug Bosstone into Fuzz factory (the one with the little toggle in upper right). Or a Dave Smith Mopho or other synth that has audio in

[@_RLP]

Great episode! Nick`s energy was off the charts on this one! Any chance we can get another run of the special edition pedal? Those of us who live in a different time zone kinda miss out on these 100% of the time... As always, thanks for sharing.