EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Overdrive Effects Pedal

The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes® is a fresh, all-analogue reimagining of the classic tube-style overdrive circuit, offering three distinct clipping modes, increased headroom, and remarkable clarity that brings your amp to life. Designed to deliver everything from subtle grit to roaring crunch, Plumes offers rich harmonic content and a three-dimensional response that makes your tone bloom with sustain and presence.

With its refined tone-shaping circuit and upgraded components, Plumes captures the essence of beloved overdrives while expanding their potential — delivering the clarity, punch, and versatility that modern guitarists demand.

Main Features

• Three Distinct Overdrive Modes
  • Mode 1: Symmetrical LED clipping for a crunchy, British-style amp tone
  • Mode 2: Clean boost mode for pushing your amp or highlighting clean tones
  • Mode 3: Asymmetrical silicon clipping for transparent, smooth overdrive
• Enhanced Headroom – Internally converts 9V to ±9V for more dynamic range
• JFET Operational Amplifiers – Replaces traditional IC chips for improved signal clarity and reduced noise
• Refined Tone Control – Full-range EQ response with balanced lows, focused mids, and smooth highs
• Versatile Output – Ideal for both clean boosts and driving high-gain amps
• Hand-built in Akron, Ohio, USA

The EarthQuaker Take on a Classic

While the Plumes circuit takes inspiration from one of the most iconic overdrives of all time, EarthQuaker Devices has completely re-engineered it for superior performance and tone. By replacing the traditional 4558 IC chip and transistor buffers with JFET op-amps and raising the input impedance to nearly 10 megaohms, Plumes achieves lower noise, greater signal integrity, and sparkling high-end chime.

Internally, the pedal converts your standard 9V power supply into a ±9V operation, giving you twice the headroom and a more open, responsive feel. Whether you’re chasing a classic valve amp crunch, a dynamic clean boost, or a modern transparent drive, Plumes adapts seamlessly to your playing and gear.

The revoiced Tone control has also been refined to be musical and responsive across its entire range — offering a big, clear low end, a cutting top end, and that signature midrange punch that sits perfectly in the mix.

Specifications

• Pedal Type: Overdrive
• Circuit: All-analogue, JFET op-amp design
• Controls: Level, Gain, Tone, Mode (3-way switch)
• Modes:
  1. Symmetrical LED clipping
  2. Op-amp clean boost
  3. Asymmetrical silicon clipping
• Power: 9V DC centre-negative (not included; internally converted to ±9V)
• Bypass: True Bypass
• Construction: Hand-built in Akron, Ohio, USA