The Whirlwind Perfect Ten is a 10-band graphic equalizer pedal for guitar and keyboards, built in the USA and designed by Tony Gambacurta, whom Whirlwind affectionately refers to as the Guru of modern effects design1. Whirlwind says it set out to create a studio quality equalizer for live performance and recording, combined with excellent noise and distortion characteristics so you can tailor your sound while maintaining a clean signal1. It sits among equalization pedals as a tool for fine-tuning found tones rather than a one-knob tone shaper.
A 10-band EQ with a constant Q design
The Perfect Ten's headline feature is its constant Q design. Whirlwind explains that constant Q means each band's frequency width remains the same whether you apply a small boost or a large one, and says this makes adjustment easy and intuitive1. Premier Guitar's reviewer described the same behavior from the player's side: when using the sliders to adjust frequencies, the constant Q design provides constant bandwidth on either side of the modified frequency2.
In practice, that means a band behaves predictably whether you nudge it or push it hard, which is what you want when dialing in a room or correcting a pickup's balance on stage12.
Controls and build
The pedal uses a slider board, and Premier Guitar's reviewer found the sliders smooth and precise, noting that each is lit individually with an orange light that gets brighter when the pedal is engaged2. The enclosure is a rectangular, metal body that the reviewer described as sturdy and wide, with a sunken slider board surrounded by the edge of the metal casing and more than enough finger room to adjust the numerous sliders2.
One control worth knowing about is the Volume slider. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that positioning the Volume slider at zero offered boost without adding crunch2, so the pedal can act as a clean level lift on top of its EQ work, in the territory of a boost pedal as well as a tone shaper.
"Whirlwind's Perfect Ten is an excellent tool for shaping tone, from gentle to extreme, and anywhere between."
Power
Whirlwind includes an 18V power supply with the pedal1.
The Perfect Ten runs from an 18V supply, which Whirlwind includes in the box1. Check what your pedalboard power supply offers before adding it to a daisy chain.
Versions and history
Whirlwind makes the Perfect Ten, a ten-band equalizer pedal for guitar and keyboards1. Whirlwind describes it as its "hottest new 10 Band Equalizer FX pedal for Guitar and Keyboards"1, and a reviewer's overall verdict called it "an excellent tool for shaping tone, from gentle to extreme, and anywhere between"2.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's reviewer framed the pedal in clear terms. On the buy side: it suits a player who likes to experiment with tone and wants pinpoint accuracy and control2. On the skip side: it is not for a player who is not interested in adjusting their sound, or who is looking for something inexpensive that gives basic low-mid-high adjustment2. The overall verdict was that the Perfect Ten is an excellent tool for shaping tone, from gentle to extreme, and anywhere between2.
Videos
Guitar World
Premier Guitar
Top 5 Tech Giant
Questions
What does constant Q mean on an equalizer?
Constant Q means that each band's frequency width remains the same whether you apply a small boost or a large one. Whirlwind says this makes adjustment easy and intuitive, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that the constant Q design provides constant bandwidth on either side of the modified frequency when you move the sliders.
Does the Whirlwind Perfect Ten come with a power supply?
Yes. Whirlwind includes an 18V power supply with the Perfect Ten, according to the maker's product page. There is no battery option listed, so plan your pedalboard power around the included supply.
Is there a bass version of the Perfect Ten?
Yes. Whirlwind announced the release of two ten-band equalizer pedals, the Perfect Ten and the Bass Ten, designed by Tony Gambacurta. The Bass Ten is aimed at bass players, and Guitar World published a video demo of it in July 2011.
Who designed the Whirlwind Perfect Ten?
The Whirlwind ten-band equalizers were designed by Tony Gambacurta, whom Whirlwind affectionately refers to as the Guru of modern effects design.
Where is the Perfect Ten made?
Whirlwind builds the Perfect Ten in the USA, using what the company describes as precision components and world class design.
Does the Perfect Ten add crunch when you boost?
Not necessarily. Premier Guitar's reviewer found that positioning the Volume slider at zero offered boost without adding crunch, so the pedal can raise your level cleanly while the EQ bands shape the tone.
Sources (2)
- Perfect Ten 10 Band EQ Pedal, Whirlwind, 2026
- Whirlwind Perfect Ten EQ Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-10-24