EARTHQUAKER DEVICES

PLUMES SMALL SIGNAL SHREDDER

$99, earthquakerdevices.com

There are many reasons this EarthQuaker overdrive, launched in 2019, is fast becoming one of the most popular 808-inspired pedals. It offers more headroom, clarity and gain than your typical Tube Screamer as well as the choice of three clipping modes (symmetrical LED, asymmetrical silicon and no diode OpAmp drive) for less than a hundred bucks. It’s a small box capable of some seriously massive sounds — just ask Slipknot guitarist Mick Thomson, who used one for his leads and solos on their last world tour, or Denver doom metallers Khemmis, who pushed their Orange amps into overload on last year’s Deceiver.