The EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 is an EarthQuaker Devices overdrive pedal, currently around $101.15. Close alternatives include the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows Pre-Amp Booster and the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows. It pairs well with the Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII and the Matchless Lightning Reverb.
EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 is the second version of the Akron, Ohio boutique builder's all-discrete preamp booster, designed to add a natural additional channel of gain to dirt pedals and amplifiers by boosting midrange, tightening the low end, and brightening the top end. The V2 update refines the original Arrows circuit with improved component selection and more consistent performance. Single-knob simplicity controls the output level while the internal circuit sculpts frequency response toward a brighter, tighter tone. Used before drive pedals or amplifiers to add presence.
- preamp
- midrange
- boost
- brightness
- drive
- tighter tone
- brighten and tighten character
- saturation
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 is commonly used in
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2
Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII
Blackstar
29% matchBlackstar HT Club 40 MkIII's airy balances out the dark tone
Matchless Lightning Reverb
Matchless
26% matchMatchless Lightning Reverb's glassy balances out the dark tone
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Dirty Shirley stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Diezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt
Diezel
tonal matchDiezel VH4 4-Channel 100-Watt layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Blackstar HT Club 40
Blackstar
tonal matchRun Blackstar HT Club 40 after it and the dark edge settles into something more glassy
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchMesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 Head layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
EVH 000
Evh
tonal matchEVH 000 layers high gain onto an already mid-forward signal
Marshall Lead 20 Model 5002 Amplifier
amplifier
tonal matchRun Marshall Lead 20 Model 5002 Amplifier after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
24% matchZVEX Fuzz Factory layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Greer Royal Velvet
Greer
23% matchGreer Royal Velvet stacks fuzzy on top of the mid-forward already here
Universal Audio Dream
Universal Audio
18% matchRun Universal Audio Dream after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's own gain stage
Maxon CP-9Pro+
Maxon
18% matchMaxon CP-9Pro+'s own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Mooer woodverb
Mooer
10% matchKeep EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's mid-forward voice out front: Mooer woodverb goes after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain so its warm voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Strymon Brigadier dBucket Delay
pedal
9% matchStrymon Brigadier dBucket Delay's modulated voice goes after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Wampler Phenom Distortion
Wampler
tonal matchWampler Phenom Distortion leans bright right where the dark tone needs it
Strymon Iridium
Strymon
tonal matchStrymon Iridium leans glassy right where the dark tone needs it
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Way Huge Pork Loin
Way Huge
68% similarityShared character: bright, dark, presence
Boss BD-2W Blues Driver Waza Craft
Boss
68% similarityShared character: bright, high_end, gain
Origin Effects DCX Boost
Origin Effects
93% similaritysimilar tone character
JHS Morning Glory
JHS Pedals
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Browne Amplification Carbon X
Browne Amplification
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Alexander Pedals Riff Instant Tone Sanitizer
Alexander Pedals
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
EarthQuaker Devices Arrows Pre-Amp Booster
EarthQuaker Devices
77% similarityShared character: input_level, overdrive_pedals, bright
EarthQuaker Devices Arrows
EarthQuaker Devices
70% similarity“Regarded as a meaningful refinement of the original Arrows, with the V2 providing improved component consistency”
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
69% similarityShared character: bright, dark, preamp
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic
69% similarityShared character: dark, preamp, bass
Suhr Riot
Suhr
68% similarityShared character: bright, dark, gain
Catalinbread Manx
Catalinbread
93% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2?+
The closest matches in character are the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows Pre-Amp Booster, the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows, the Colorsound Power Boost. Budget picks: NuX SSD-10, NuX NOD-3 Morning Star Overdrive. Boutique upgrades: Way Huge Pork Loin, Boss BD-2W Blues Driver Waza Craft, Origin Effects DCX Boost.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII, Matchless Lightning Reverb, Friedman Dirty Shirley — Blackstar HT Club 40 MkIII's airy balances out the dark tone.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 cost?+
Around $101.15 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).