The Plank is an overdrive and boost pedal from Pirate Guitar Effects, a New Orleans-based maker, released in July 2016. It puts two well-known circuit designs in one box: a take on the Klon Centaur overdrive and a take on the Echoplex EP-3 preamp boost. Premier Guitar's press release described it as "perfectly capturing the sonic mystique of the Klon Centaur and EP-3 preamp in one versatile and easy-to-use pedal," and said it "takes the Centaur overdrive and EP-3 preamp to new levels by giving you complete tonal control over both circuits"1. MusicRadar covered the same launch, calling it a "seaworthy stompbox" that combines the Klon Centaur and Echoplex EP-3 boost circuits2.
What the two circuits do
The overdrive side is built on the Centaur design. Premier Guitar's release describes it as "a transparent and touch-sensitive overdrive that delivers everything from a subtle grind to rich, driving saturation"1. The boost side follows the EP-3 preamp, which the release describes as "a wonderfully juicy boost that adds a highly musical, muscular edge to any guitar tone"1.
Gearnews' Jef, writing at launch, put the appeal of the pairing plainly:
"Combined, the two effects conceivably would allow you a lot of boost/drive options in one pedal."
He also noted that "a dash of boost here will complement a good guitar tone and make it something far more than the sum of its parts," suggesting the boost works best used sparingly with a decent valve amp3.
Controls and switching
Both circuits share one set of knobs. MusicRadar reports that the design "allows guitarists to adjust the pair of them with a single set of gain, treble and output controls"2. Premier Guitar's release adds that these controls have "wide-ranging sonic capabilities," and lists controls for changing the effect, a separate EP-3 volume, and an EP-3 bright/dark toggle1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Shared gain control for both circuits2 |
| Treble | Shared treble control for both circuits2 |
| Output | Shared output level for both circuits2 |
| EP-3 volume | Separate volume for the EP-3 boost circuit1 |
| Bright/dark toggle | EP-3 bright or dark voicing12 |
| Effect order toggle | Internal toggle for circuit order2 |
| Footswitches | Main switch, plus a separate footswitch to switch the EP-3 boost in or out externally2 |
The effect order toggle is internal, so it is set with a screwdriver rather than switched on the fly: boost into overdrive pushes the drive harder, overdrive into boost keeps the lift cleaner. The EP-3 boost can also be switched in or out externally by its own footswitch, so the two circuits can be engaged independently2.
Power, bypass and build
The Plank runs on a 9V battery or a power supply, and switching is true bypass2. The enclosure is a sturdy die-cast box, which Premier Guitar's release describes as built "for a lifetime of use," with premium audiophile components and silent switching1.
Price and availability
The Plank was available at launch direct from Pirate Guitar Effects, at a street price of $19912. Jef at gearnews.com wrote that "it seems keenly priced for a hand-made overdrive/boost," though he had not tried the pedal himself and pointed readers to the company's site and demo video for a full judgement3.
Videos
Pirate Guitar FX
gearmanndude
Questions
Is the Pirate Plank true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar's report on the Plank lists true bypass switching, along with 9V battery or power supply operation. That means the pedal takes its circuits fully out of the signal path when switched off, which matters on a crowded pedalboard where buffers and hardwired bypass designs can each affect the tone in their own way.
How much does the Pirate Guitar Effects Plank cost?
The Plank carries a street price of $199, according to the Premier Guitar press release from July 2016, and MusicRadar gave the same $199 figure when the pedal became available direct from Pirate Guitar Effects. Gearnews' Jef called it keenly priced for a hand-made overdrive/boost.
What does the effect order toggle do on the Plank?
The Plank holds two circuits, a Centaur-style overdrive and an EP-3-style boost, and an internal toggle lets you choose which one comes first in the signal chain. Running the boost into the overdrive pushes the drive harder; running the overdrive into the boost keeps the boost clean. The toggle is inside the pedal, so it is a set-and-forget choice rather than a footswitchable one.
Is the Plank the same pedal as the Plank Preamp & Boost?
Yes. Premier Guitar announced it as the Plank Preamp & Boost Guitar Pedal in July 2016, and MusicRadar covered the same release as the Plank Overdrive and Boost. Both describe one pedal combining the Klon Centaur overdrive and the Echoplex EP-3 preamp circuits, at the same $199 price, sold direct from the maker.
Sources (3)
- New Pirate Guitar Plank Preamp & Boost Launched, Premier Guitar, 2016-07-26
- Pirate Guitar Effects weighs anchor with the Plank Overdrive and Boost pedal, MusicRadar, 2016-07-27
- Pirate Effects' The Plank, gearnews.com, 2016-07-27
