The EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp is an EarthQuaker Devices preamp pedal, currently around $78.99. Close alternatives include the Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp and the EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp. It pairs well with the Suhr Rufus Reloaded and the Fjord Fuzz Berserk.
EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices · pedal
The EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp is a utility pedal built to solve tone loss from long cable runs or pedalboards packed with multiple true bypass units, using a high one-megohm input impedance and low hundred-ohm output impedance to restore clarity and high-end detail that would otherwise degrade across a long signal chain. Beyond straightforward buffering, it adds a subtle low-end boost for extra dimension, and EarthQuaker recommends placing it at the end of a signal chain, particularly after any fuzz pedals, to preserve the specific interaction between a guitar's raw signal and fuzz circuits that a buffer placed earlier would otherwise disrupt.
- clarity
- bypass
- subtle
- preamp
- complex
- boost
- simple
- raw
Good for
- Live
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp
Suhr Rufus Reloaded
Suhr
23% matchSuhr Rufus Reloaded's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Fjord Fuzz Berserk
Fjord Fuzz
23% matchInto a transparent tone, Fjord Fuzz Berserk brings the fuzzy it's missing
Electro-Harmonix Bad
Electro-Harmonix
17% matchKeep EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp's transparent voice out front: Electro-Harmonix Bad goes after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp in the signal chain so its low gain voice doesn't muddy it
Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer
pedal
11% matchDan Armstrong Orange Squeezer leans toward dynamic, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Meris Polymoon
Meris
8% matchPut Meris Polymoon after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
pedal
8% matchPut Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb after EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp in the signal chain, clear of EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchDr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is voiced for a clean amp's front end — EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation
EarthQuaker Devices
72% similarityShared character: pedalboard, long_cable_runs, buffer
Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal
Xotic
69% similarityShared character: players, true_bypass, simple
MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver
MXR
68% similarityShared character: buffer, signal_integrity, long_cable_runs
Greer Lightspeed Organic Overdrive
Greer
67% similarityShared character: players, guitar, subtle
ToneConcepts Distillery 'The Luke'
Toneconcepts
67% similarityShared character: signal, subtle, clarity
Browne Amplification The Fixer
Browne Amplification
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp
Crazy Tube Circuits
71% similarityShared character: pedalboard, buffer, long_cable_runs
EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp
EarthQuaker Devices
67% similarityShared character: buffer, signal_integrity, long_cable_runs
MXR Micro Amp
MXR
66% similarityShared character: pedalboard, signal, subtle
Electronic Audio Experiments Limelight
Electronic Audio Experiments
66% similarityShared character: high_end, combination, true_bypass
DigiTech DOD Overdrive Preamp 250
Digitech
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Behringer PB100 Preamp Booster
Behringer
91% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp?+
The closest matches in character are the Crazy Tube Circuits Magnifier Buffer-Preamp, the EarthQuaker Devices Utility Series Buffer Preamp, the MXR Micro Amp. Budget picks: THE NEXT SOUND CH-01-2 Buffer. Boutique upgrades: EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp Total Tone Preservation, Xotic BB Preamp Andy Timmons Limited Edition Pedal, MXR MC401 Boost/Line Driver.
What pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Suhr Rufus Reloaded, Fjord Fuzz Berserk, Electro-Harmonix Bad — Suhr Rufus Reloaded's fuzzy fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own.
How much does the EarthQuaker Devices Buffer/Preamp cost?+
Around $78.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).