EarthQuaker ZEQD-PRE review – the ultimate…

EarthQuaker ZEQD-PRE review – the ultimate tube-equipped tone-sculptor for your pedalboard?

EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre Analog Tube Preamp.

What is it?

The basic premise for the ZEQD-Pre pedal is to introduce some valve mojo into a signal chain and add character.

The result of this collaboration between EarthQuaker Devices and Dr Z Amplification has been designed around an EF86 pentode valve coupled with three-band EQ for fine-tuning of the sound.

There are several scenarios for use, reflected in the available outputs, which can all be used simultaneously. There’s a jack for a standard signal chain, maybe directly in front of an amp or a modeller, an XLR direct output (with switchable cabinet emulation) that could be used to feed a mixing desk or audio interface, and a headphone output with cabinet emulation.

Complementing the standard bypass footswitch, a second footswitch bypasses the three-band EQ and delivers a full-range boost with level set by the Boost knob.

Specs

PRICE: $399 | £399 | €499
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Valve-powered preamp pedal
FEATURES: True bypass
CONTROLS: Boost, Level, Bass (20Hz to 400Hz), Middle (400Hz to 2kHz), Treble (2kHz to 20kHz), Ground Lift, XLR Cab Bypass, Boost footswitch, Bypass footswitch
CONNECTIONS: Standard input, standard output, XLR direct output, standard headphone output
POWER: 9V DC adaptor (not supplied) 500mA
DIMENSIONS: 96 (w) x 148 (d) x 66mm (h)
CONTACT: EarthQuaker Devices

Build quality, usability and sounds

The EF86 isn’t a valve that offers its own drive as such, but in its context here delivers a big open sound with clarity and great dynamic response, all tied in to the really classy EQ, which never gets out of shape.

Everything above about nine o’clock on the Level knob offers a boost for additional gain stage to push an amp’s front-end, with an extra kick up via the Boost footswitch as required.

Without an amp, the pedal could sit at the end of a pedalboard employing the XLR output direct to front-of-house or FRFR speaker cab as your main amplifier, if you have the pedals to get the sound you need. Likewise, it could be a useful tone conditioner with added dimension before or after a digital modeller.

With pedals, the ZEQD-Pre is also perfect for practice, as the headphone signal with speaker simulation gives you a comfortable sound that encourages you to play.

It’s also excellent as a DI box for recording clean guitar – we got great results with a Strat plugged straight in and the XLR output (speaker sim engaged) connected to an audio interface with compression added as a plugin on the DAW recording track.

Verdict

Verdict: ★★★★½

The best part of $400 may seem a bit steep for something that could be categorised as a widget, but the ZEQD-Pre is a very practical professional piece of kit with numerous uses for the guitarist.

Guitar World verdict: As a tone-sculptor and gain provider that is capable of sitting in a variety of signal chains, it is both an enabler and an enhancer.