The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder is an overdrive pedal for bass and guitar, released in January 2024. It is a bass-centric, modified version of the company's Plumes Small Signal Shredder: it doubles the gain and enhances the bass response, so the low end survives the drive. Gearnews' reviewer described the result as "a three-dimensional sound with additional clarity, which also takes tube amplifiers to the extreme if nece[ssary]".1
What it does and how it is controlled
The Blumes keeps the Plumes' simple three-knob layout. Level, Tone and Gain let users adjust the drive, with Gain setting how hard the circuit is pushed.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output level |
| Tone | Shapes the tone |
| Gain | Adjusts the drive1 |
The pedal uses an internal bipolar power supply, which EarthQuaker says ensures better dynamics and more headroom than a simple single-rail design.1
The three clipping modes
A three-way mode selector offers three distinct clipping characters, so one pedal covers everything from clean boost to fuzz-adjacent compression.1
| Mode | Character |
|---|---|
| Symmetrical LED Clipping | Crunchier, more compressed sound |
| No Clipping (OpAmp Drive) | Wide-open clean boost |
| Asymmetrical Silicon Diode Clipping | Transparent tone with a looser feel, warmer low-end response and lower output; the most compressed, sounds more like fuzz with half the initial level |
Switching and bypass
The Blumes is a true bypass circuit, so the overdrive is fully out of the signal path when off.1 The footswitch uses EarthQuaker Devices' Flexi-Switch technology, which allows users to hold for momentary applications or tap the switch to turn it on or off.1
How it relates to the Plumes
The Plumes Small Signal Shredder arrived in 2019 as a low to medium gain overdrive, available at EarthQuaker Devices dealers worldwide on August 3, 2019.3 It featured silent relay-based switching, a lifetime guarantee, and a very low 25 mA current draw.3 MusicPlayers.com announced the Plumes as an EarthQuaker Devices release in July 2019.2
The Blumes takes that circuit and reworks it for bass: double the gain, enhanced bass response, and a bipolar power supply for extra headroom.1 Players of low-tuned and drop-tuned guitars are also in its sights, since the clarity and gain suit those tunings.1
What reviewers said
Gearnews' reviewer, writing at the pedal's January 2024 release, was positive about the price above all1:
"One of the key attractions is the price point, which is only $99 and I think this offers a lot of value. The audio demos..1."
"And finally Asymmetrical Silicon Diode Clipping for a transparent tone with a looser feel. Using this last mode leads to"
The review framed the Blumes as a versatile and affordable drive pedal that could make a great studio tool, with value for money and versatility among its key attractions.1
The Blumes is a bass-oriented design, but it is not bass-only: gearnews describes it as an overdrive for bass and guitar alike.1
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Questions
Is the EarthQuaker Blumes true bypass?
Yes. Gearnews' review describes the Blumes as a true bypass circuit, so when the pedal is off your bass signal passes through without the overdrive circuitry in the way. It also uses EarthQuaker Devices' Flexi-Switch technology on the footswitch, which lets you tap for standard on and off operation or hold the switch down for momentary use.
How much does the Blumes cost?
The Blumes carries an MSRP of $99 USD, according to gearnews' January 2024 review. The reviewer felt the price point offered a lot of value and described it as a versatile and affordable drive pedal that could make a great studio tool.
What are the three clipping modes on the Blumes?
The Blumes has three distinct clipping modes. Symmetrical LED Clipping gives a crunchier, more compressed sound. No Clipping (OpAmp Drive) works as a wide-open clean boost. Asymmetrical Silicon Diode Clipping gives a transparent tone with a looser feel, a warmer low-end response and lower output, and is the most compressed of the three, sounding more like fuzz with half the initial level.
What is the difference between the Blumes and the Plumes?
The Blumes is based on the Plumes Small Signal Shredder but is a bass-centric, modified version. It doubles the gain compared to the Plumes and enhances the bass response so the low end holds up. It is aimed at bass players as well as players of drop-tuned and low-tuned guitars, while the Plumes is a low to medium gain overdrive.
What does the Flexi-Switch do on the Blumes?
Flexi-Switch is EarthQuaker Devices' footswitch technology. You can tap the switch to turn the pedal on or off as usual, or hold the switch down for momentary applications, engaging the effect only while your foot is on the switch.
Can you use the Blumes on guitar?
Yes. Although it is a bass-centric design, gearnews describes the Blumes as an overdrive for bass and guitar. Its clarity and extra gain suit drop tunings and low-tuned guitars in particular, and it can push a tube amplifier hard.
Sources (3)
- EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder, gearnews.com, 2024-01-04
- EarthQuaker Devices Presents the Plumes Small Signal Shredder, MusicPlayers.com, 2019-07-02
- New EarthQuaker Plumes Shredder Launches, Premier Guitar, 2019-07-02
