Review: JHS Colour Box V2 – A Neve Preamp in a Pedal

Disclaimer: The JHS Colour Box V2 pedal was kindly provided by JHS Pedals for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information.

The JHS Colour Box V2 isn’t your average preamp pedal; it’s a full-blown studio channel strip in stompbox form, built to deliver the rich, saturated tone of a vintage Neve console. Originally designed to capture the character of direct-in guitar tracks on classic albums, the Colour Box quickly found fans far beyond guitarists. With its expanded controls and studio-grade circuitry, the V2 version has become a secret weapon for bass players, producers, and multi-instrumentalists alike.

It doesn’t just add EQ or boost your signal, it brings a sense of weight, texture, and dimension that’s more often associated with high-end outboard gear. For bass, that means thick, harmonically rich tone with enough flexibility to handle anything from subtle warmth to gritty saturation.

The Colour Box V2 is one of those rare pedals that doesn’t really fit into a single category. Yes, it’s a preamp. Sure, it has EQ. And yes, you can absolutely get some amazing saturation out of it. But that’s like calling a Neve console “just a mixer.” And that’s really the key here… this thing is built to sound and behave like a channel strip from one of the most iconic recording desks ever made.

Real Studio Flavor in a Stompbox

If you’ve ever run a bass direct through a Neve 1073 preamp, you know what I’m talking about. There’s a depth, a weight, a harmonic richness that somehow makes your playing feel more intentional. That’s the sound JHS set out to capture, and they’ve nailed it.

The original Colour Box already leaned hard into this idea, but the V2 feels more polished and more usable, especially for bassists. It’s quieter, more flexible, and way more refined when it comes to EQ and gain staging.

A Tour of the Controls

Once you get familiar with how the Colour Box V2 works, it opens up fast. Here’s what you’re working with:

Gain Structure
 The gain setup is really the heart of this pedal, and it’s more than just volume.

• Step Gain is a five-position rotary switch that controls your input level, and the higher you go, the more the pedal starts to saturate like a real preamp.
  
• Pre-Vol lets you push your signal into that gain stage. Want fat, vintage grit? Crank it up. Prefer it clean and hi-fi? Keep it low.
  
• Master controls your final output level.
  

This trio gives you tons of flexibility. You can run it super clean as a transparent DI, or dig into that Neve-style crunch that makes every note feel slightly compressed and alive.

EQ Section
This is a 3-band EQ with a twist. Each band – Bass, Mid, and Treble – has a corresponding Shift knob that lets you sweep through different frequency centers. It’s a brilliant system because it allows you to adapt to different instruments, playing styles, or room acoustics.

• Bass/Shift: Dial in fat lows or tighten things up.
  
• Mid/Shift: Perfect for carving space or boosting attack.
  
• Treble/Shift: Adds air or edge, depending on where you set it.
  

High-Pass Filter
 This is a sleeper feature for bass players. There’s a toggle to engage it, and a knob to set the cutoff frequency anywhere from roughly 60 Hz to 800 Hz. It’s a powerful tool for cleaning up sub-frequencies, especially in a live mix or dense recording.

Other Features

• Hi/Lo switch lets you handle instrument or line-level sources.
  
• XLR input and output means you can use it as a proper DI or mic preamp.
  
• The updated footswitch is silent, and the enclosure is built like a tank.
  

How It Sounds on Bass

This is where the Colour Box V2 really shines. It doesn’t just make your bass louder, it makes it more present. There’s a natural compression that feels musical, not squashed. It’s subtle when you want it to be, or rich and harmonically complex when you push it.

You can dial in everything from warm, vintage Motown-style fatness to articulate modern tones with a mid-forward growl. It doesn’t mask your instrument’s personality, it enhances it.

I’ve used it live, in the studio, and even for silent practice through a headphone amp. It never disappoints. In fact, it’s the only pedal I own that I use on every setup.

Not Just for Bass

It’s worth saying again, this pedal is a full-range tone tool. It’s just as effective on electric guitar, vocals, keyboards, or even drum machines. Want to warm up a sterile interface input? Plug into the Colour Box first.

And for players who record at home or want a compact, analog front-end for their DAW, it’s a game-changer. Add a mic, and you’ve got a vibe-heavy vocal chain ready to go.

Pros

• Stunning Neve-inspired tone in a portable format
  
• Ideal for bass: fat, warm, detailed
  
• Powerful EQ with adjustable frequency centers
  
• Real studio-grade XLR I/O
  
• Extremely versatile; works with any instrument or source
  
• Silent footswitch, strong build quality
  

Cons

• Pricey if you’re only looking for a basic preamp
  
• Takes some time to learn the gain/EQ interaction
  
• Slightly larger than a typical pedal
  

Final Thoughts

The Colour Box V2 isn’t cheap, and it’s not simple, but that’s exactly what makes it special. It rewards curiosity. The more time you spend with it, the more you realize how much sonic range is inside this red box. If you’re the kind of bassist (or musician in general) who values tone as part of your creative voice, the Colour Box V2 is more than worth the investment.

Once you hear what it does to your signal, you won’t want to turn it off.

For more information, visit online at jhspedals.info/products/colour-box-v2