The EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device is an EarthQuaker Devices distortion pedal, currently around $119. Close alternatives include the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive and the Dunlop MXR M94SE Super Badass Distortion. It pairs well with the Hiwatt DR103H and the Traynor BB115.
EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Cranker is a distortion enhancement pedal from EQD, designed to add gain and harmonic density without obscuring the original guitar and amplifier character. The Cranker delivers a punchy, present overdrive push that works equally well as a light distortion on its own or as a transparent boost stacked with other gain pedals for added sustain and character. It is a two-knob design with Volume and Gain controls, emphasizing simplicity and immediate usability. The Cranker is suited to players in blues, classic rock, and alternative rock who want a reliable, go-to dirt pedal that improves without dramatically changing the core tone.
- transparent
- saturation
- punchy
- high gain
- distortion
- drive
- consistent
- reliable
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Blues
- Metal
- Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Hard Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device
Hiwatt DR103H
Hiwatt
24% matchFeed a high gain signal into Hiwatt DR103H and it comes out closer to tight
Traynor BB115
Traynor
tonal matchStack Traynor BB115 on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410 and it comes out closer to tight
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 210 Bass Combo
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchStack Gallien-Krueger Legacy 210 Bass Combo on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo
Egnater
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into Egnater Renegade 65 4x10 Combo and it comes out closer to tight
Gallien-Krueger MB210-II
Gallien Krueger
tonal matchGallien-Krueger MB210-II pushes a high gain tone toward tight
Aguilar SL110 Fawn Limited
Aguilar
tonal matchStack Aguilar SL110 Fawn Limited on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo
Ebs
tonal matchFeed a high gain signal into EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo and it comes out closer to tight
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device
Shin's Music Dumbloid
Shins Music
19% matchShin's Music Dumbloid takes that high gain character and pushes it toward tight
Airis Effects SPEC-Defier
Airis Effects
19% matchStack Airis Effects SPEC-Defier on top and a high gain tone tightens toward tight
Wampler Cory Wong
Wampler
18% matchWampler Cory Wong's own clean boost character is the real reason this is worth trying
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
Electro-Harmonix
16% matchElectro-Harmonix Electric Mistress's lush voice goes after EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device's own transparent character
Cusack Music Delay TME
Cusack Music
15% matchKeep Cusack Music Delay TME after EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay
TC Electronic
14% matchKeep TC Electronic Triple Flashback Delay after EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Laney TI-Boost
Laney
tonal matchInto EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device, Laney TI-Boost is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Mooer Flex Boost
Mooer
tonal matchMooer Flex Boost is voiced for a clean amp's front end — EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker
EarthQuaker Devices
74% similarityShared character: reliable_performance, pedal, punchy
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, classic_rock, distortion
Carl Martin Dual Injection
Carl Martin
69% similarityShared character: pedal, single_rig, boost
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver
Boss
95% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS 3 Series Distortion
JHS Pedals
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive
Boss
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Boss OD-1 Overdrive
Boss
73% similarityShared character: pedal, simple, high_gain_settings
JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion
JHS Pedals
72% similarityShared character: reliable_performance, high_gain_settings, distortion
MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Distortion
MXR
67% similarityShared character: pedal, high_gain_settings, metal
Keeley KA-Orange
Keeley
64% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings
EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter
EarthQuaker Devices
95% similaritysimilar tone character
DigiTech DOD Looking Glass Signature Designer Distortion
Digitech
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive
MXR
73% similarityShared character: pedal, high_gain_settings, distortion
Dunlop MXR M94SE Super Badass Distortion
Dunlop
73% similarityShared character: pedal, high_gain_settings, classic_rock
Digitech DOD Boneshaker
Digitech
73% similarityShared character: pedal, simple, high_gain_settings
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
72% similarityShared character: pedal, high_gain_settings, transparent
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez
72% similarityShared character: settings, pedal, simple
Klon KTR
Klon
72% similarityShared character: high_gain_settings, classic_rock, distortion
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device?+
The closest matches in character are the MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive, the Dunlop MXR M94SE Super Badass Distortion, the Digitech DOD Boneshaker. Budget picks: EarthQuaker Devices Special Cranker, MXR Super Badass Distortion, Carl Martin Dual Injection. Boutique upgrades: Boss OD-1 Overdrive, JHS PG-14 Paul Gilbert Signature Distortion, MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Distortion.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Hiwatt DR103H, Traynor BB115, Gallien-Krueger Legacy 410 — Feed a high gain signal into Hiwatt DR103H and it comes out closer to tight.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Cranker Distortion Enhancement Device cost?+
Around $119 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).