EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Bass Odyssey Bass Overdrive & EQ Pedal

The EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Bass Odyssey is a powerful bass preamp, overdrive and EQ pedal developed in collaboration with Japanese bassist Kentaro Nakao.

Designed as a complete portable bass tone solution, Scrolls combines a tube amp-like Drive channel with an extensive active EQ section, allowing you to move from warm vintage bass tones to aggressive modern overdrive while keeping the low end full and controlled.

A balanced XLR direct output with analogue speaker-cab filtering, buffered clean Parallel Out and onboard effects loop make Scrolls equally useful for live performance, direct recording and compact amplifier-free bass rigs.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Scrolls Bass Odyssey
Product Code	EQSCRLV1
Type	Bass Preamp, Overdrive & EQ Pedal
Condition	New
Drive	Tube Amp-Like Bass Overdrive
EQ	Active Bass, Middle, Treble & Variable Frequency
Quick EQ Switches	Deep, Process, Bright
Clean Blend	Yes
Effects Loop	Yes
Parallel Output	Buffered Clean Out
Direct Output	Balanced XLR
Cab Simulation	Analogue Filtering on XLR Output
Ground Lift	Yes
Current Draw	70mA
Power	9V DC Centre Negative
Main Appeal	Complete bass drive, EQ and direct-output solution
Best For	Live bass, studio recording, fly rigs and complete pedalboard tone shaping

What Makes The EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Special?

The Scrolls Bass Odyssey is designed to act as the centre of a bass rig rather than simply another overdrive pedal.

Its two main sections give you independent control over drive and EQ, while the Blend and Bandwidth controls help preserve the low-end weight that is often lost when bass guitar is heavily distorted.

The routing options are equally important. Scrolls can send a standard pedal output to your amplifier, a clean parallel signal elsewhere in your rig and a balanced XLR signal directly to front of house or an audio interface at the same time.

Tube Amp-Like Drive Channel

The Drive section is designed to produce rich, amp-like bass saturation while retaining clarity and low-frequency authority.

Drive

Controls the intensity of the overdrive, moving from lighter saturation to heavier distorted bass tones.

Blend

Mixes the clean bass signal with the driven sound.

This is especially useful for retaining fundamental low-end weight while adding grit and harmonic detail.

Bandwidth

Changes where the distortion is most active.

Turn anticlockwise for more low-frequency clipping and a warmer, softer response. Turn clockwise to move the clipping emphasis higher for tighter lows and more focused attack.

Tone

Acts as a low-pass filter for the Drive channel, allowing you to reduce high frequencies for a smoother overdrive sound.

Level

Controls the Drive channel output volume.

Powerful Active EQ

Scrolls includes a comprehensive EQ section designed to handle everything from subtle correction to major tone reshaping.

Bass, Middle & Treble

Dedicated active EQ controls let you boost or cut the main frequency ranges, with centre detents providing a flat starting point.

Vari-Freq

Selects a frequency from approximately 20Hz to 10kHz.

Vari

Boosts or cuts the frequency selected with the Vari-Freq control.

This is particularly useful for removing muddy frequencies, adding attack or fine-tuning your bass for a specific room, amplifier or recording setup.

One-Touch Tone Shaping

Three push-button switches provide fast EQ changes:

Deep

Boosts around 80Hz for bigger, deeper lows.

Process

Scoops the low mids for a cleaner, more modern bass sound.

Bright

Boosts around 5kHz for additional attack, definition and presence.

These switches make it easy to make significant tonal changes without rebuilding your full EQ setting.

Built For Complete Bass Rigs

Scrolls provides several routing options that can all operate simultaneously.

Standard Output

Connect directly to your bass amplifier, pedalboard or other conventional equipment.

Buffered Parallel Out

Carries a clean bass signal independently of the main processing.

This can be sent to:

• A second amplifier
• Tuner
• DI
• Recording input
• Separate effects chain

Balanced XLR Direct Out

The XLR output allows Scrolls to connect directly to a mixing console, PA system or recording interface.

A subtle analogue speaker-cabinet filter is applied to help soften the high-frequency character of driven bass when sending the signal direct.

A Ground Lift switch is also provided to help address potential ground-loop noise.

Built-In Effects Loop

The onboard effects loop sits between the Drive and EQ sections.

This lets you place effects such as chorus, delay, reverb or additional drive pedals after Scrolls' overdrive while still applying the EQ section afterwards.

It is especially useful for players building Scrolls into the centre of a larger pedalboard.

Who Is It For?

The EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Bass Odyssey is particularly well suited to:

• Gigging bassists
• Studio bass players
• Touring musicians
• Fly rigs
• Amplifier-free setups
• Players needing a direct XLR output
• Bassists using multiple amplifiers
• Pedalboard-based bass rigs
• Players wanting vintage and modern bass tones
• Clean bass
• Overdriven bass
• Heavy rock and metal
• Funk and modern bass
• Indie and alternative
• Session musicians

Why Choose A Bass Preamp & EQ Pedal?

A bass preamp gives you much greater control over your core sound before it reaches an amplifier, PA system or recording interface.

Scrolls goes further by combining the preamp and EQ functions with overdrive, clean blending, direct output and advanced signal routing.

This means it can function as a conventional effects pedal, a tone-shaping preamp, a direct recording solution or the central hub of an entire bass rig.

How It Compares

Scrolls vs A Standard Bass Overdrive

A conventional bass overdrive mainly focuses on adding distortion.

Scrolls adds extensive active EQ, clean blending, frequency-selective clipping, an effects loop, parallel output and balanced XLR direct connectivity.

Scrolls vs A Traditional Bass DI

A conventional DI provides a balanced output for connecting your bass to a mixing console or audio interface.

Scrolls combines this function with overdrive, active EQ, analogue speaker filtering and extensive routing.

Scrolls vs EarthQuaker Devices Blumes

The Blumes is a compact bass overdrive designed around three clipping modes and strong low-end retention.

Scrolls is a much more comprehensive rig solution, adding active EQ, clean blending, effects routing, parallel output and balanced XLR connectivity.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Bass Odyssey
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Scrolls Bass Odyssey
SKU / Product Code	EQSCRLV1
Product Type	Bass Preamp, Overdrive & EQ Pedal
EQ Controls	Level, Vari, Vari-Freq, Bass, Middle, Treble
Quick EQ Switches	Deep, Process, Bright
Variable Frequency Range	Approx. 20Hz–10kHz
Deep Boost	80Hz
Bright Boost	5kHz
Drive Controls	Level, Blend, Drive, Bandwidth, Tone
Effects Loop	Between Drive and EQ Stages
Parallel Output	Buffered Clean Output
Direct Output	Balanced XLR
XLR Filtering	Analogue Speaker-Cabinet Simulation
Ground Lift	Yes
EQ Input Impedance	10MΩ
EQ Output Impedance	Less Than 1kΩ
Drive Input Impedance	500kΩ
Drive Output Impedance	100Ω
Parallel Output Impedance	100Ω
Direct Output Impedance	100Ω
Switching	Relay-Based True Bypass
Drive Switching	Flexi-Switch®
Dimensions	121 × 114 × 57mm
Current Draw	70mA
Power Requirement	9V DC Centre Negative
Condition	New

Power Requirements

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

Current draw is approximately 70mA.

No power supply is included.

Do not operate the pedal at voltages higher than 9V.

FAQs

What is the EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls Bass Odyssey?

Scrolls is a bass preamp, active EQ, overdrive and routing pedal developed in collaboration with bassist Kentaro Nakao.

Is Scrolls designed specifically for bass?

Yes. Its EQ range, clean Blend control, Bandwidth control and routing options are designed around electric bass.

Does Scrolls have a bass overdrive?

Yes. It includes a dedicated tube amp-like Drive channel with Drive, Blend, Bandwidth, Tone and Level controls.

Can I blend clean bass with the overdrive?

Yes. The Blend control lets you mix the clean signal with the distorted signal to retain low-end weight and definition.

What does the Bandwidth control do?

Bandwidth determines which frequency area clips most heavily. Lower settings emphasise low-frequency clipping, while higher settings produce tighter lows and more high-frequency drive.

Does Scrolls have an active EQ?

Yes. It offers Bass, Middle and Treble controls plus a sweepable Vari-Freq section covering approximately 20Hz to 10kHz.

What do the Deep, Process and Bright switches do?

Deep boosts 80Hz, Process creates a low-mid scoop for a more modern tone, and Bright boosts around 5kHz for additional attack.

Does Scrolls have an XLR output?

Yes. It features a balanced XLR direct output for connecting to suitable PA systems, mixers and recording interfaces.

Does the XLR output include cabinet simulation?

Yes. The XLR output includes subtle analogue filtering designed to emulate the tonal response of a bass speaker cabinet.

Does it have a Ground Lift?

Yes. A Ground Lift switch is provided for the XLR output.

Does Scrolls have an effects loop?

Yes. The loop sits between the Drive and EQ sections.

What is the Parallel Out?

The Parallel Out carries a buffered clean signal that can be sent to another amplifier, tuner, DI or separate signal chain.

Can all the outputs work at the same time?

Yes. The standard output, Parallel Out and balanced XLR Direct Out can operate simultaneously.

Is Scrolls true bypass?

Yes. It uses relay-based true bypass switching. The Drive section also features EarthQuaker Devices Flexi-Switch® functionality.

How much power does it require?

Scrolls requires 9V DC centre-negative power and draws approximately 70mA.

Is a power supply included?

No. A suitable power supply is not included.

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Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out how the value of your current equipment could help towards your new Scrolls Bass Odyssey.