The EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 is an EarthQuaker Devices overdrive pedal, currently around $101.15. Close alternatives include the JHS Morning Glory and the DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive. It pairs well with the Friedman Dirty Shirley and the Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo.
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.
What stands out
“All-discrete preamp delivers genuine tonal enhancement that makes everything after it sound more defined”
— from the reviews
“Single-knob simplicity controls the output level while the internal circuit sculpts frequency response toward a brighter, tighter tone”
— from the listing
“Midrange boost and low-end tightening work together naturally”
— from the reviews
“used before drive pedals to push them into richer saturation or before a tube amplifier to add midrange presence and brightness”
— from the community notes
“tightening the low end”
— from the listing
Trade-offs
“which benefits dark rigs but may compound brightness in already-present setups”
— from the reviews
- midrange
- brightness
- low end
- tighter tone
- brighten and tighten character
- top end
- midrange presence
Price updated Oct 22, 2026
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2
Friedman Dirty Shirley
Friedman
25% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Friedman Dirty Shirley stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
24% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → high gain)
Run mid-forward into Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo for more high gain on top
Comes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Coreblade stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Hughes & Kettner Warp 7
Hughes & Kettner
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Hughes & Kettner Warp 7 for more high gain on top
Blackstar Series One 200
Blackstar
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run mid-forward into Blackstar Series One 200 for more high gain on top
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Marshall Studio JCM900 SN20H stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Friedman BE-Mini Head
Friedman
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Put Friedman BE-Mini Head in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward high gain
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2
Greer Black Mountain
Greer
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Put Greer Black Mountain in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Comes later in the signal chain
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
Zvex
18% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → smooth)
Run ZVEX Fuzz Factory after it and the bright edge settles into something more smooth
Comes later in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Monument CS
Walrus Audio
15% 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 Walrus Audio Monument CS after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
MXR CSP204 Custom Comp Deluxe
MXR
14% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → smooth)
MXR CSP204 Custom Comp Deluxe's own smooth character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
10% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Keep EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's mid-forward voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte goes after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain so its pristine voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
JAM Pedals Delay-Llama
Jam Pedals
10% 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 JAM Pedals Delay-Llama after EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Caline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black)
Caline
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Caline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black) goes in front of EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 — a wah tracks picking dynamics best on the raw signal
Tone City Hot Mama Overdrive
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Hot Mama Overdrive stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Origin Effects DCX Boost
Origin Effects
59% similarityShared character: dark, boost, gain
Abasi Pathos Distortion
Abasi
58% similarityShared character: high end, dark, presence
Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra Blackout
Catalinbread
56% similarityShared character: bright, high end, dark
Browne Amplification Carbon X
Browne Amplification
55% similarityShared character: bright, boost
Way Huge Pork Loin
Way Huge
55% similarityShared character: bright, dark, presence
Vemuram Jan Ray
Vemuram
53% similarityShared character: high end
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
JHS Morning Glory
JHS Pedals
57% similarityShared character: bright, dark, boost
DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive
Dod
54% similarityShared character: bright, high end, boost
Catalinbread Tribute Parametric Overdrive
Catalinbread
53% similarityShared character: boost
MXR Super Badass Distortion
MXR
53% similarityShared character: bright, boost, gain
Wampler Tumnus V2
Wampler
51% similarityShared character: high end, boost, bass
Suhr Riot
Suhr
48% similarityShared character: bright, dark
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 JHS Morning Glory, the DOD YJM308 Preamp Overdrive, the Catalinbread Tribute Parametric Overdrive. Budget picks: NuX SSD-10, NuX NOD-3 Morning Star Overdrive. Boutique upgrades: Origin Effects DCX Boost, Abasi Pathos Distortion, Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra Blackout.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman Dirty Shirley, Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo, Mesa/Boogie JP-2C John Petrucci Signature 60/100-Watt — Friedman Dirty Shirley stacks high gain on top of the mid-forward already here.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Arrows V2 cost?+
Around $101.15 (live listing price, updated Oct 22, 2026).
Compare
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