EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre with Dr.Z! Boutique Voiced Tube Preamp
New boutique-style tube preamp pedal from EarthQuaker Devices and Dr.Z
The ZEQD-Pre is a new tube preamp pedal collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z Amplification. Offering Dr.Z’s unique tube tone in a compact, versatile pedal format.
ZEQD-Pre
This new ZEQD-Pre tube preamplifier uses an EF86 Pentode tube instead of the usual 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tube, which is most common in this kind of preamp pedal.
Dr.Z Tones
The reason is that it is what Dr.Z uses in his amp builds, and it gives a unique boutique tone, often associated with his style of tube amplification. It offers tighter low-end and sparkling, almost hi-fi cleans, so it should stand out from the crowd.
High Voltage
The design is also high-voltage internally and uses a standard 9-volt, 500 mA power supply, so it will play nicely with most pedalboard setups. This helps it achieve a realistic tube-amp tone, and the design was handled entirely by Dr. Z, then squeezed into a fairly standard pedal enclosure by EarthQuaker Devices.
Amp Like Features
The feature set is basic but super flexible, with a 3-Band Passive EQ based on an amp-style setup: Bass, Middle, and Treble. Along with a dedicated Level control for the main volume/output and a Boost control with its own dedicated footswitch to engage the boost. The Boost footswitch defeats the tone section and offers a massive output, so be careful when using it, as it is designed to push an amp hard when required.
Flexible Outputs
This compact pedal also features a dedicated Headphone and XLR outputs, the latter with a Ground Lift switch. Built-in cabinet simulation is applied to both, but can be switched off via the Cab Bypass switch for the XLR if you prefer to use your own IRS, etc.
With the main input and output on top of the pedal, it’s perfect for use on pedalboards.
Verdict
This new ZEQD-Pre is certainly a little different from many other preamp pedals, purely because it uses a Dr. Z design, and so I’m expecting some nice boutique tube-amp tones from this unit. They aren’t exactly cheap, but you get what you pay for.
They look like they will be great for recording, so a handy preamp to have in your arsenal, as they will excel at live and studio work. Plus, that handy dedicated headphone output makes them useful for when you want to play at home without disturbing everyone.
Price & Availability
Available now at Thomann, priced $489/£435/€499.
More Information
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