The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes is an EarthQuaker Devices overdrive pedal. Close alternatives include the Boss BB-1X and the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion. It pairs well with the Marshall Super Bass and the Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo.
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes is a low signal shredder overdrive from the Akron, Ohio boutique builder, based on a fully analog screamer-style circuit with soft clipping and a bass-friendly frequency voice. Like the Plumes, it features a three-mode clipping switch, but the Blumes circuit is specifically voiced for lower frequency content, making it equally effective on bass and guitar. The soft clipping delivers natural harmonic overdrive with good note definition. Suited for bass players and guitarists seeking warm, low-mid-forward overdrive.
What stands out
“The soft clipping delivers natural harmonic overdrive with good note definition”
— from the listing
“Bass-voiced soft clipping delivers warm, low-mid-forward overdrive with the natural harmonic character of the Plumes platform tuned for lower-frequency content”
— from the reviews
“Some players find the bass-voiced character too dark or”
— from the community notes
“Suited for bass players and guitarists seeking warm, low-mid-forward overdrive”
— from the listing
“Like the Plumes, it features a three-mode clipping switch, but the Blumes circuit is specifically voiced for lower frequency content, making it equally effective on bass and guitar”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“High-frequency presence is intentionally”
— from the reviews
“the bass-focused voicing may feel too dark for players who want bright”
— from the reviews
“cutting screamer tone”
— from the reviews
- clipping
- harmonic
- overdrive
- mid forward
- bass
- warmer screamer character
- natural
- frequency
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes is commonly used in
- Indie
- Blues
- Post-Rock
- Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
28% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Marshall Super Bass's bright balances out the warm tone
Comes later in the signal chain
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo
Peavey
24% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo's bright balances out the warm tone
Comes later in the signal chain
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Laney Richter
Laney
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Laney Richter leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Mesa Boogie Subway D-350
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Mesa Boogie Subway D-350 after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head
Bad Cat
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans warm, Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head answers back bright
Peavey 6505 II
Peavey
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Peavey 6505 II after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
PRS DG
PRS
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
PRS DG's bright balances out the warm tone
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes
Fjord Fuzz Midnattssol
Fjord Fuzz
26% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Run Fjord Fuzz Midnattssol after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Comes later in the signal chain
Tech 21 SansAmp
Tech 21
25% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
Run Tech 21 SansAmp after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Comes later in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Lillian
Walrus Audio
21% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Walrus Audio Lillian after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
JHS 3 Series Compressor
JHS Pedals
21% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (warm → bright)
What JHS 3 Series Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal
pedal
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Neunaber Wet Mono Reverb Pedal after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon
13% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Strymon El Capistan after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Maxon FF10 Fuzz Elements Fire
Maxon
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run Maxon FF10 Fuzz Elements Fire after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker
pedal
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans warm, Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker answers back bright
Alternatives
Boss BB-1X
Boss
59% similarityShared character: dark, bass, presence
Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Dunlop
49% similarityShared character: bass, presence
Ashdown Triple Shot
Ashdown
48% similarityShared character: dark, bass, overdrive
Ashdown James LoMenzo KegaDrive Bass Distortion
Ashdown
43% similarityShared character: bass, presence, overdrive
EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls V1
EarthQuaker Devices
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes?+
The closest matches in character are the Boss BB-1X, the Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion, the Ashdown Triple Shot.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Super Bass, Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo, Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head — Marshall Super Bass's bright balances out the warm tone.