EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder Bass Overdrive

The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder is an all-analogue bass overdrive designed to deliver powerful drive and distortion without sacrificing the low-end weight that keeps a bass sounding full in a mix.

Based on the popular Plumes circuit but reworked specifically for bass, Blumes offers double the gain, a deeper bass response and increased headroom, making it capable of everything from subtle grit and clean boosting to crunchy overdrive and thick, fuzzy distortion.

Three selectable clipping modes give you different levels of compression, openness and saturation, making Blumes an excellent choice for rock, punk, alternative, stoner, metal, indie and modern bass rigs.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Blumes
Product Code	EQDBLUMV1USA
Type	Bass Overdrive Pedal
Condition	New
Circuit	All-Analogue
Controls	Level, Tone, Gain
Clipping Modes	3
Gain	Approx. Double the Gain of Plumes
Low-End Response	Extended for Bass
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Switching	Flexi-Switch®
Current Draw	25mA
Power	9V DC Centre Negative
Main Appeal	High-headroom bass overdrive that retains low-end definition
Best For	Rock, punk, alternative, stoner, indie and heavier bass tones

What Makes The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Special?

Blumes takes the core idea behind the EarthQuaker Devices Plumes and adapts it specifically for lower frequencies.

The circuit offers more gain and a deeper bass response, helping your instrument retain weight and definition even when the drive is pushed hard. Internal bipolar power also provides increased headroom and dynamic range, helping the pedal stay clear and responsive.

This makes Blumes equally useful for adding a little edge to a clean bass tone or creating much heavier overdrive and distortion.

Three Clipping Modes

Mode 1 – Symmetrical LED Clipping

This is the crunchiest and most open setting.

It provides plenty of output with strong attack and less compression, making it ideal for aggressive rock, punk and modern bass tones.

Mode 2 – Open OpAmp Drive

Mode 2 removes the clipping diodes and delivers a wide-open OpAmp drive.

This produces the highest output and fullest frequency response and can work particularly well as a clean boost when the Gain control is kept lower.

Mode 3 – Asymmetrical Silicon Clipping

Mode 3 gives a warmer, more compressed response with asymmetrical silicon diode clipping.

It offers a fuzzier edge, softer feel and strong low-end presence, making it particularly useful for thick distorted bass sounds.

Simple Three-Knob Control

Level

Controls the overall output volume.

Blumes has plenty of available output, making it useful for matching unity level or driving an amplifier harder.

Gain

Controls the amount of overdrive.

Lower settings provide subtle grit and boost tones, while higher settings move into heavier overdrive, distortion and fuzzier textures.

Tone

Adjusts the overall tonal balance.

Turn left for more bass, keep it around the middle for stronger midrange presence, or turn right for additional treble and attack.

Who Is It For?

The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes is ideal for bassists who want drive without losing the low-frequency foundation of their sound.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Rock
• Punk
• Alternative
• Indie
• Stoner rock
• Heavy rock
• Metal
• Bassists using valve amplifiers
• Players stacking overdrive pedals
• Clean boost applications
• Bassists wanting aggressive distortion with retained low end

It also works well with down-tuned electric guitars where maintaining low-frequency definition is important.

Why Choose A Bass-Specific Overdrive?

Many conventional guitar overdrive pedals remove low frequencies as gain increases, which can make a bass sound thinner within a full band mix.

Blumes is designed specifically to retain more of the low end while still providing the midrange definition and harmonic content that helps an overdriven bass remain audible.

This makes it particularly useful for players who want distortion without sacrificing the weight and authority of the instrument.

How It Compares

Blumes vs EarthQuaker Devices Plumes

The Plumes is designed primarily around guitar and provides a classic high-headroom tube-style overdrive response.

Blumes modifies that concept with:

• Deeper low-frequency response
• Double the gain
• Increased bass-focused drive range
• Internal bipolar power for additional headroom

Choose Plumes for traditional guitar overdrive; choose Blumes when low-end retention and higher bass gain are the priority.

Blumes vs A Traditional Bass Overdrive

Many bass drives include clean-blend controls to preserve low frequencies.

Blumes takes a different approach by designing the drive circuit itself to retain more low end, giving you a straightforward three-knob layout without requiring a separate clean blend.

Blumes vs Bass Fuzz

A dedicated fuzz generally produces more extreme saturation and compression.

Blumes covers a broader range, moving from clean boost and light overdrive through to heavier, fuzzier distortion depending on the clipping mode and Gain setting.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Blumes
SKU / Product Code	EQDBLUMV1USA
Product Type	Bass Overdrive Pedal
Signal Path	All-Analogue
Controls	Level, Tone, Gain
Clipping Mode 1	Symmetrical LED
Clipping Mode 2	Open OpAmp
Clipping Mode 3	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 Blumes 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 voltages higher than 9V.

FAQs

What is the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes?

Blumes is an all-analogue, three-mode bass overdrive pedal based on the Plumes circuit but redesigned with deeper bass response and substantially more gain.

Is Blumes designed specifically for bass?

Yes. Its circuit is voiced to retain low frequencies and provide greater gain for bass applications.

How is Blumes different from Plumes?

Blumes offers approximately double the gain of Plumes and has a deeper bass response designed to preserve low-end weight.

How many clipping modes does it have?

Blumes offers three clipping modes: symmetrical LED, open OpAmp and asymmetrical silicon.

Which mode is best for clean boost?

Mode 2 provides the most open response and highest output and can be used effectively as a clean boost at lower Gain settings.

Which mode has the most crunch?

Mode 1 uses symmetrical LED clipping and provides the most open and crunchy response.

Which mode is the most compressed?

Mode 3 uses asymmetrical silicon clipping and gives the warmest, most compressed and fuzzier response.

Can Blumes produce heavy distortion?

Yes. Its increased gain range allows it to move well beyond light overdrive into thick distortion and fuzzier bass textures.

Can I use Blumes with guitar?

Yes. Although designed for bass, it can also work particularly well with down-tuned and extended-range guitars.

Does Blumes have 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 operate in either normal latching mode or temporary momentary mode.

How much power does Blumes require?

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

Is a power supply included?

No. A compatible 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 bass rig? Fair Deal Music accepts part exchanges across a wide range of bass guitars, effects pedals, 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 new Blumes.