The EarthQuaker Devices White Light is a hard-clipping, vintage-voiced overdrive pedal that takes its cues from the vintage dirt pedals that defined the sounds of heavy rock1. EarthQuaker Devices first released it in 2011, discontinued it, and then brought it back in 2023 as the White Light Legacy Reissue, a limited run of 2,000 units worldwide12. The maker's product page now states the device is no longer in production1.
The pedal is all analog and handmade one at a time in Akron, Ohio2. Its overdriven tone is reminiscent of the one heard on classic rock records of the '70s, according to Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio2.
A '70s-style hard-clipping overdrive
The White Light is an old-school hard-clipping overdrive pedal with a whiff of the classic DOD OD250 and MXR Distortion+ about it, as MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley put it3. Delicious Audio describes it as inspired by pedals like the DOD 250 or MXR Distortion+, but not a clone or a variant of either2. EarthQuaker's own product page frames it the same way:
"Think OD250 or Distortion+ without being overly derivative, a new voice to an olde sound if you will."
Horsley found the reissue "much more dynamic, open and harmonically rich than these classic overdrives it shares its lineage with"3. The DIY community at Guitar FX Layouts, which published a verified working stripboard layout of the circuit in 2021, notes the White Light doesn't discriminate between pickups: it works with both humbuckers and single coils and adds real '70s grit4.
The clipping itself comes from two diode types. The 1n60 diodes sound more distorted and compressed than the asymmetrical 1n4148 diodes, which is what the Compression switch selects between4.
The controls: Gain, Weight, Level and Compression switch
The pedal has three knobs and one toggle. Here is what each does, per the maker's product page and press coverage125:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Controls the amount of distortion; goes from clean to a nice crunchy overdrive tone25 |
| Weight | Multi-functional: adjusts the level of saturation, the low-end response and the overall feel of the device1 |
| Level | Controls the output1 |
| Compression switch (Minus) | Open with more high-mids and bite1 |
| Compression switch (Plus) | Crunchy and compressed gains with a flatter mid response246 |
The Weight knob is the control that sets the White Light apart from a basic three-knob overdrive. MusicRadar describes it as handling the low-end response, the level of saturation and the general feel of the overdrive3. Bass Musician Magazine called it "plenty of tonal shaping options"5.
The Compression switch effectively gives the pedal two core modes3. In the minus position the sound is wide open with more upper mids and bite; in the plus position the midrange response is flatter with more crunch and compression3.
Power: 9V DC only
The White Light takes a standard 9 volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel, and the maker warns not to run it at higher voltages1. MusicRadar echoes this: run it on 9V DC, no higher3.
The relay-based true bypass switching requires power to pass signal, so the pedal cannot pass audio without a power supply connected1. Current draw is 10mA on the reissue3; Delicious Audio listed 6 mA for the original2.
Bypass and switching
The Legacy Reissue uses relay-based true bypass switching that allows simultaneous momentary and latching switching via EarthQuaker's proprietary Flexi-Switch Technology13. Delicious Audio also lists the original as true bypass2.
History: the original and the Legacy Reissue
The original White Light dates to 20112. After it went out of production, it became notoriously hard to find: Guitar.com's Tamzin Kraftman reported that EarthQuaker Devices was "finally reissuing the notoriously hard-to-find White Light overdrive pedal, but for a limited time"7, and Guitar World noted that players looking to add the popular overdrive had to turn to the used market6.
The 2023 Legacy Reissue was the first in a series of Legacy Reissues from the brand, a family of effects pedals reviving and rebooting some of EarthQuaker's classic stompboxes65. The limited run of 2,000 units contains the same White Light circuitry as the original, but in the now standard-size enclosure with top-mounted jacks and Flexi-Switch Technology7. Guitar World called it a fairly faithful recreation, save some resizing of the control knobs and a very subtle artwork update6. The jacks and power supply input sit on the top of the unit for ease of pedalboard mounting3.
The reissue was priced at $159 street in the US when it launched in March 202336.
Does the White Light work on bass?
Yes. MusicRadar notes you can use it on electric guitar or bass guitar3. EarthQuaker's Aaron Rogers, writing on the maker's blog, described one of his favorite overdriven bass sounds as coming from slamming the front end of the White Light with the Monarch8.
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Questions
Is the White Light a Distortion+ clone?
No. EarthQuaker Devices says the White Light shares its lineage with the DOD OD250 and MXR Distortion+ but is not a clone or variant of either, describing it as a new voice to an old sound. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley called it more dynamic, open and harmonically rich than the classic overdrives it shares its lineage with.
Is the EarthQuaker White Light discontinued?
Yes. The original White Light was discontinued and only available on the used market before EarthQuaker Devices brought it back in 2023 as a Legacy Reissue limited to 2,000 units worldwide. The maker's product page now states the device is no longer in production.
Is the White Light true bypass?
Yes. The Legacy Reissue uses relay-based true bypass switching, and because it is relay-based it requires power to pass signal. The Flexi-Switch technology lets you use the footswitch in both momentary and latching styles at the same time.
Does the White Light work on bass?
Yes. MusicRadar notes it can be used on electric guitar or bass guitar, and EarthQuaker's Aaron Rogers described slamming the front end of the White Light with the Monarch as one of his favorite overdriven bass sounds.
What does the Weight knob do?
Weight is a multi-functional control that adjusts the level of saturation, the low-end response and the overall feel of the overdrive. Bass Musician Magazine called it plenty of tonal shaping options, since it changes how much grit and how much low end the pedal delivers.
Sources (8)
- White Light Legacy Reissue, EarthQuaker Devices
- Reissue: EarthQuaker Devices White Light Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-13
- EarthQuaker Devices brings back its vintage yellow-box-inspired White Light Overdrive for a special limited run, MusicRadar, 2023-03-14
- Guitar FX Layouts: Earthquaker White Light, Guitar FX Layouts (tagboardeffects.blogspot.com), 2021-07-04
- New Gear: EarthQuaker Devices Reissues the White Light Overdrive, Bass Musician Magazine, 2023-03-13
- EarthQuaker Devices debuts all-new Legacy Reissue Series with updated version of the elusive White Light Overdrive, Guitar World, 2023-03-14
- EarthQuaker Devices’ formerly impossible-to-find White Light OD is back, Guitar.com, 2023-03-13
- Get In Line: Pedal Order 101, EarthQuaker Devices, 2017-11-30
