With its black color and white script lettering, the BOSS FDR-1 pedal drips vintage Fender blackface vibe. Its case is textured to emulate the vinyl covering of the original Deluxe Reverb, and the Fender logo matches the updated logo of the time period. While the 1965 Deluxe Reverb is a two-channel amp, its second channel—labeled VIBRATO on the amp’s control panel—is the one most players use. In addition to a slightly brighter tone, it provides both reverb and vibrato effects that are unavailable on the first channel. It’s this VIBRATO channel that’s replicated on the FDR-1 pedal.

Like the original amp, the tone controls are simple as can be—just BASS and TREBLE. The GAIN knob emulates the ‘65’s channel volume control, while the LEVEL knob regulates the output volume of the pedal. At low GAIN settings, the FDR-1 provides the classic sweet and clean Fender tone. Cranking up the GAIN gently coaxes the pedal into blissful overdrive territory, just like the real deal.

The 1965 Deluxe Reverb is known for its juicy tube-driven spring reverb effect. The FDR-1 models this effect in all its cavernous glory, with a single knob to control the reverb depth. The ’65’s vibrato effect (actually a misnamed tremolo effect) is also faithfully modeled in the FDR-1. The VIBRATO knob controls the depth of the effect, while the speed can be controlled hands-free with an innovative use of the bypass pedal: just press down on the pedal for two seconds or more, and then release the pedal. Now, tap the pedal in time with the music to set the vibrato speed. (Alternately, you can set the speed by pressing the pedal and turning the VIBRATO knob.) When you’re done, just press and hold the pedal for two or more seconds again. When you release the pedal, your speed setting is stored.