EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder Overdrive Pedal

The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder is an all-analogue overdrive pedal that takes the familiar mid-focused, tube-style overdrive formula and gives it more headroom, clarity and tonal flexibility.

Three selectable clipping modes let you move between compressed crunch, open clean boost and looser transparent overdrive, while the redesigned Tone control gives you useful control over bass, mids and treble.

With Level, Gain and Tone controls, JFET operational amplifiers and an exceptionally high 10MΩ input impedance, Plumes works brilliantly as a standalone overdrive, low-gain boost or amp-pushing drive pedal for blues, rock, indie, alternative, punk and heavier styles.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Plumes
Type	Analog Overdrive Pedal
Condition	New
Controls	Level, Gain, Tone
Clipping Modes	3
Mode 1	Symmetrical LED Clipping
Mode 2	Open Op-Amp / No Clipping
Mode 3	Asymmetrical Silicon Clipping
Input Impedance	10MΩ
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Switching	Flexi-Switch®
Current Draw	25mA
Power	9V DC Centre Negative
Main Appeal	High-headroom overdrive with three distinct clipping voices
Best For	Blues, rock, indie, punk, alternative and amp-pushing drive tones

What Makes The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Special?

Plumes is EarthQuaker Devices' take on the classic tube-style overdrive circuit, but it is designed to offer greater clarity, output and flexibility than a traditional mid-focused overdrive.

Instead of the conventional components normally associated with this style of pedal, Plumes uses JFET operational amplifiers and an extremely high input impedance. This helps preserve signal detail and gives the pedal a bright, articulate response with plenty of headroom.

The result is an overdrive that can tighten an amplifier, add crunchy rhythm tones, produce singing lead sustain or work as a powerful clean boost.

Three Clipping Modes

Mode 1 – Symmetrical LED Clipping

This setting offers more crunch and compression, creating a thicker and more aggressive overdrive response.

It works particularly well for:

• Rock rhythm
• Power chords
• Crunch tones
• Pushing an already driven amplifier
• Singing lead sounds

Mode 2 – Open Op-Amp Drive

The centre position removes diode clipping and gives you a wide-open op-amp drive.

This mode offers the greatest headroom and works especially well as a clean or lightly driven boost.

Use it to push a valve amplifier harder, tighten another drive pedal or simply add more level and presence to your guitar.

Mode 3 – Asymmetrical Silicon Clipping

This mode delivers a looser and more transparent response with asymmetrical silicon diode clipping.

It retains the familiar feel of a classic tube-style overdrive while offering strong clarity and touch sensitivity.

Simple Three-Knob Control

Level

Controls the overall output volume.

Plumes has plenty of output available, making it useful for boosting the front end of an amplifier as well as matching unity volume.

Gain

Adjusts the amount of overdrive.

Lower settings provide cleaner boost and edge-of-breakup tones, while higher settings deliver richer saturation and sustain.

Tone

The redesigned Tone control offers a broad and practical EQ range.

Turn left for more low-end emphasis, keep it around the centre for stronger midrange focus or move clockwise for extra treble and presence.

Who Is It For?

The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes is an excellent choice for players who want a versatile overdrive that can cover more ground than a conventional single-voice drive pedal.

It is particularly suited to:

• Blues
• Classic rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Punk
• Garage rock
• Hard rock
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Valve amplifier rigs
• Players stacking multiple drive pedals
• Guitarists looking for a high-headroom clean boost

Why Choose A Three-Mode Overdrive?

Different clipping styles change how an overdrive responds to your playing.

LED clipping can provide more punch and crunch, open op-amp drive offers extra headroom and boost, while asymmetrical silicon clipping gives a softer and more dynamic response.

Having all three in one pedal means Plumes can work as a low-gain boost one moment and a much stronger overdrive the next without changing pedals.

How It Compares

Plumes vs Traditional Tube Screamer-Style Overdrive

Traditional Tube Screamer-style pedals are known for a strong midrange focus and controlled low end.

Plumes retains the useful amp-pushing character of that style but adds more headroom, three clipping voices and a wider-ranging Tone control.

It is especially appealing to players who like classic mid-focused overdrive but want greater clarity and flexibility.

Plumes vs EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker

The Special Cranker focuses on natural amp-like saturation with Germanium and Silicon clipping while preserving more of your existing EQ.

Plumes has a more pronounced mid-focused overdrive character and is especially effective for tightening an amplifier or pushing another gain stage.

Plumes vs Clean Boost

A dedicated clean boost is designed primarily to increase level.

Plumes can perform that role in its open clipping mode, but it can also provide progressively more saturation and compression when required, making it considerably more versatile.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Small Signal Shredder Overdrive Pedal
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Plumes
Product Type	Analog Overdrive Pedal
Circuit	All-Analogue
Controls	Level, Gain, Tone
Clipping Modes	Symmetrical LED / Open Op-Amp / Asymmetrical Silicon
Input Impedance	10MΩ
Output Impedance	100Ω
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Switching	Flexi-Switch® Momentary / Latching
Dimensions	121 × 64 × 57mm
Current Draw	25mA
Power Requirement	9V DC Centre Negative
Condition	New

Power Requirements

The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply with a standard 2.1mm barrel connector.

Current draw is approximately 25mA.

No power supply is included.

Do not operate the pedal at higher voltages.

FAQs

What type of pedal is the EarthQuaker Devices Plumes?

Plumes is an all-analogue overdrive pedal inspired by the classic tube-style, mid-focused overdrive format.

How many clipping modes does Plumes have?

It has three selectable clipping modes.

What does Mode 1 do?

Mode 1 uses symmetrical LED clipping for greater crunch and compression.

What does Mode 2 do?

Mode 2 removes diode clipping and provides a wide-open op-amp drive with extra headroom, making it particularly effective as a clean boost.

What does Mode 3 do?

Mode 3 uses asymmetrical silicon diode clipping for a looser and more transparent overdrive response.

Can Plumes be used as a clean boost?

Yes. The open clipping mode provides plenty of headroom and output for pushing an amplifier or another pedal.

Is Plumes similar to a Tube Screamer?

It is inspired by the same general tube-style overdrive concept, but EarthQuaker Devices has redesigned the circuit with JFET op-amps, higher input impedance, more headroom and three clipping options.

Is Plumes good for blues and rock?

Yes. Its gain range and clipping options work very well for blues, classic rock, alternative, indie, punk and heavier guitar styles.

Does Plumes work well for stacking pedals?

Yes. Its high output and clear response make it useful for pushing other overdrive, distortion and amplifier gain stages.

What is Flexi-Switch®?

Flexi-Switch lets the footswitch operate in either normal latching mode or temporary momentary mode.

Does Plumes have true bypass?

Yes. It uses relay-based true bypass switching.

What power supply does Plumes require?

It requires a 9V DC centre-negative power supply and draws approximately 25mA.

Is a power supply included?

No. A suitable power supply is not included.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Flexible finance options, subject to status
• Friendly support before and after purchase
• Independent UK music retailer established in 1987
• Large Birmingham showroom at 79–83 Holloway Head

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Looking to upgrade your pedalboard? Fair Deal Music accepts part exchanges across a wide range of effects pedals, guitars, amplifiers and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out how the value of your existing gear could help towards your next purchase.