EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker Analog Overdrive Pedal

The EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker is an all-analogue overdrive and distortion enhancement pedal designed to add extra grit, saturation and harmonic richness without dramatically changing the natural character of your guitar and amplifier.

Think of it like adding another driven preamp stage to your amp. Single notes gain rich harmonics and singing sustain, power chords become thicker and crunchier, while complex chords retain definition without excessive low-end mud or an artificial midrange boost.

With selectable Germanium and Silicon clipping, plus dedicated Level, More and Tone controls, the Special Cranker covers everything from nearly clean enhancement and bluesy breakup to medium-gain rock overdrive and aggressive overbiased textures.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Special Cranker
Type	Analog Overdrive / Distortion Pedal
Condition	New
Circuit	All-Discrete Analogue
Clipping Modes	Germanium / Silicon
Controls	Level, More, Tone
Switching	Flexi-Switch®
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Power	9–18V DC Centre Negative
Current Draw	15mA
Main Appeal	Adds gain and saturation while preserving your core guitar and amp tone
Best For	Blues, rock, indie, alternative, classic rock and dynamic low-to-medium gain tones

What Makes The EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker Special?

The Special Cranker is designed to give you more of the sound you already like rather than imposing a heavily coloured EQ curve over your rig.

Its touch-sensitive response lets notes bloom naturally, while chords remain clear even as the gain increases. This makes it particularly useful for players who already like the sound of their amplifier but want additional grit, compression and sustain.

The circuit builds on EarthQuaker Devices' earlier Speaker Cranker design, adding more gain, increased output, a dedicated Tone control and selectable Germanium or Silicon clipping.

Germanium & Silicon Clipping

The diode selector changes the response and character of the overdrive.

Germanium

Germanium clipping produces a softer, rounder and more transparent response with slightly reduced output and smoother high frequencies.

It works particularly well for:

• Blues
• Low-gain rock
• Edge-of-breakup sounds
• Softer rhythm tones
• Warm lead guitar

Silicon

Silicon clipping gives the pedal a brighter, tighter and more modern response with additional output.

This setting is ideal for:

• Rock
• Alternative
• Punk
• Aggressive rhythm guitar
• Higher-output pickups
• More cutting lead tones

Simple Three-Knob Control

Level

Controls the pedal's overall output volume.

There is plenty of output available, allowing the Special Cranker to run at unity gain or push the front end of an amplifier harder.

More

Controls the amount of gain and adjusts the bias of the transistor.

Lower settings provide an almost clean enhancement, while higher settings move into medium-gain overdrive and increasingly aggressive saturation.

At extreme settings, particularly with hotter pickups, the circuit can produce deliberately overbiased and explosive drive textures.

Tone

Controls the high-frequency response.

Turn anticlockwise to soften the top end or clockwise to add brightness and definition.

A relatively flat response can be found around the upper-middle area of the control.

Who Is It For?

The Special Cranker is ideal for guitarists who want natural, responsive overdrive without dramatically reshaping their amplifier's EQ.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Classic rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Punk
• Garage rock
• Country
• Dynamic rhythm playing
• Sustaining lead guitar
• Valve amplifier rigs
• Players who use picking dynamics to control gain

Why Choose A Touch-Sensitive Overdrive?

A responsive overdrive reacts to how hard you play rather than simply applying the same amount of distortion to everything.

Pick lightly and the Special Cranker can remain relatively clean and open. Dig in harder and the circuit responds with more grit, harmonics and compression.

This makes it particularly useful for players who prefer to control their gain from the guitar and their hands rather than constantly switching between several drive pedals.

How It Compares

Special Cranker vs EarthQuaker Devices Plumes

The Plumes takes inspiration from the familiar Tube Screamer-style approach and places more emphasis on a defined midrange character.

The Special Cranker is designed to preserve more of your existing amp and guitar sound, making it a strong choice if you want extra saturation without a pronounced mid boost.

Special Cranker vs Speaker Cranker

The Special Cranker develops the concept of the original Speaker Cranker with:

• More gain
• Greater output
• Dedicated Level control
• Tone control
• Germanium and Silicon clipping options

It is therefore considerably more flexible while retaining the touch-sensitive character of the original design.

Special Cranker vs Clean Boost

A clean boost primarily increases signal level while trying to add as little distortion as possible.

The Special Cranker is intentionally designed to add grit, saturation and harmonic content, making it better suited to players who want their tone to become more driven rather than simply louder.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker Analog Overdrive Pedal
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Special Cranker
Product Type	Analog Overdrive / Distortion Enhancement Pedal
Circuitry	All-Discrete Analogue
Controls	Level, More, Tone
Clipping Selector	Germanium / Silicon
Input Impedance	Approx. 5MΩ
Output Impedance	Less Than 25kΩ
Switching	Flexi-Switch® Momentary / Latching
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Dimensions	121 x 64 x 57mm including knobs
Current Draw	15mA
Power Requirement	9–18V DC Centre Negative
Condition	New

Power Requirements

The EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker can be powered from a regulated 9–18V DC centre-negative power supply with a standard 2.1mm barrel connector.

Current draw is approximately 15mA.

No power supply is included.

FAQs

What type of pedal is the EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker?

It is an all-analogue overdrive and distortion enhancement pedal designed to add grit, saturation and sustain while retaining the natural character of your guitar and amplifier.

Is the Special Cranker a clean boost?

No. Although it can increase output level, it is specifically designed to add distortion and harmonic saturation rather than operate as a completely clean boost.

What clipping options does it have?

It offers selectable Germanium and Silicon clipping.

What does Germanium mode sound like?

Germanium clipping gives a softer, rounder response with smoother high frequencies and slightly lower output.

What does Silicon mode sound like?

Silicon clipping gives a brighter, tighter and more modern response with additional output.

What does the More control do?

The More control adjusts gain by changing the transistor bias, taking the pedal from almost clean enhancement through to medium-gain overdrive and more aggressive overbiased textures.

Does the Special Cranker work well with humbuckers?

Yes. Higher-output pickups can push the circuit into more aggressive saturation, particularly at higher More settings.

Does it work with single-coil pickups?

Yes. Its touch-sensitive nature works particularly well with the dynamics and clarity of single-coil guitars.

Is the Special Cranker true bypass?

Yes. It uses relay-based true bypass with EarthQuaker Devices Flexi-Switch® technology.

What is Flexi-Switch®?

Flexi-Switch allows the footswitch to work in both standard latching and momentary modes.

Can I run the Special Cranker at 18V?

Yes. EarthQuaker Devices states that the Special Cranker can safely operate between 9V and 18V DC.

How much current does it draw?

It draws approximately 15mA.

Is a power supply included?

No. A compatible power supply is not included.

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