The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive is an EarthQuaker Devices overdrive pedal. Close alternatives include the JAM Lucy Dreamer Bass and the Boss BB-1X. It pairs well with the Marshall Super Bass and the Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo.
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes V1 USA is the original US domestic version of the Akron, Ohio boutique builder's bass-friendly analog screamer-style overdrive. Like all Blumes variants, it delivers a low-mid-forward TS-style soft clipping overdrive suited to bass guitar and guitarists who prefer a warmer, darker screamer character. Three clipping modes extend tonal variety. The V1 USA designation indicates first-version US production with the characteristic Blumes low-signal-shredder circuit.
What stands out
“Bass-friendly TS-style circuit delivers warm, low-mid-forward overdrive with natural harmonic content”
— from the reviews
“it delivers a low-mid-forward ts-style soft clipping overdrive suited to bass guitar and guitarists who prefer a warmer”
— from the listing
“Three clipping modes extend tonal variety”
— from the listing
“Functionally equivalent to subsequent Blumes versions in core tonal character”
— from the community notes
“Used in bass rigs and guitar rigs where warm, low-mid-forward screamer character is preferred”
— from the community notes
Trade-offs
“V1 USA production reflects first-run component selection with the characteristic Blumes circuit voice”
— from the reviews
“the bass-forward voicing may feel too dark for players who want cutting high-frequency screamer character”
— from the reviews
- mid forward
- clipping
- ts
- tonal character
- frequency
- darker screamer character
- overdrive
- harmonic
Amps that pair well with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive
Marshall Super Bass
Marshall
25% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → bright)
Run Marshall Super Bass after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Comes later in the signal chain
Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo
Peavey
20% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → bright)
Run Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Comes later in the signal chain
Ceriatone Dizzy 30
Ceriatone
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans dark, Ceriatone Dizzy 30 answers back bright
1964 Vox AC30
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Run 1964 Vox AC30 after it and the dark edge settles into something more glassy
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head
Marshall
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans dark, Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head answers back bright
Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head
Bad Cat
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Bad Cat *PRE Order* Hot Cat Head leans bright right where the dark tone needs it
Vox AC30CH Custom 30W Head
Vox
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Vox AC30CH Custom 30W Head's bright balances out the dark tone
Laney Richter
Laney
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans dark, Laney Richter answers back bright
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
25% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → bright)
Run Catalinbread Galileo after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright
Catalinbread Formula 55
Catalinbread
23% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → bright)
Catalinbread Formula 55's bright balances out the dark tone
Orange King-Comp
Orange
22% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (dark → glassy)
Orange King-Comp's own bright character is the real reason this is worth trying
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Lillian
Walrus Audio
17% 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 Bass Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive's own gain stage
Comes later in the signal chain
Strymon El Capistan
Strymon
11% 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 Bass Overdrive in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978
Chase Bliss Audio
11% 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 Blumes Bass Overdrive's mid-forward voice out front: Chase Bliss Automatone CXM 1978 goes after EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive 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
Tech 21 SansAmp Oxford
Tech 21
tonal matchWhere this leans dark, Tech 21 SansAmp Oxford answers back bright
Tech 21 SansAmp Character Plus Mop Top Liverpool
Tech 21
tonal matchComes later in the signal chain
Where this leans dark, Tech 21 SansAmp Character Plus Mop Top Liverpool answers back bright
Alternatives
JAM Lucy Dreamer Bass
Jam Pedals
60% similarityShared character: bass, overdrive
Boss BB-1X
Boss
50% similarityShared character: warm, bass, dark
Ashdown Triple Shot
Ashdown
46% similarityShared character: bass, dark, overdrive
Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Dunlop
44% similarityShared character: bass
ZVEX Basstortion Vexter
Zvex
40% similarityShared character: tonal possibilities, dark, overdrive
Behringer BDI21
Behringer
40% similarityShared character: bass, overdrive
EarthQuaker Devices Blumes
EarthQuaker Devices
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive?+
The closest matches in character are the JAM Lucy Dreamer Bass, the Boss BB-1X, the Ashdown Triple Shot.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Bass Overdrive?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Super Bass, Peavey MAX 150 150W 1x12 Bass Combo, Ceriatone Dizzy 30 — Run Marshall Super Bass after it and the dark edge settles into something more bright.