As a dirt-obsessed bass player, I’m often disappointed by the lack of distortion options for us dudes in the rhythm section. Most bass overdrives sound flabby and unfocused; poor recreations of that famous “vintage” amplifier that rhymes with BLT, and, though I enjoy the upper-midrange growl I get from guitar-oriented overdrives, they’re chronically lacking in bottom-end, and that gnarly tone gets lost in a full-band context.
Big Muffs sound awesome for doom-y hesher riffs, but the fuzz mangles the notes’ attack, and then there’s that famous mid-scoop to contend with if you’re trying to be heard. On the other hand, the ProCo Rat has a sharp attack and growls like a panther, but hit the footswitch during a song, and the show instantly becomes a drum clinic. I’ve been looking for a pedal that can keep up with tight, rhythmic playing while still hanging onto some low end, and I’ve found it in the EarthQuaker Devices Monarch.
The Monarch’s active Bass and Treble controls work together with the Gain knob to alter the character of the dirt, and allow the user to dial sounds ranging from classic refrigerator-cabinet rock and roll to modern, yet dynamic and uncompressed, medium-to-high-gain grind, with complete control over the amount of low end foundation and top end bite, without the need for a parallel dry signal. It’s quiet, (especially at 18 volts) and stacks well, too. Stick it in-line with a woolier Germainium-based fuzz and the EQ allows you to put a little sparkle in your sludge. Pair it up with a Jazz Bass and another overdrive, say, the EQD White Light, for example, and you’re in total Jesus Lizard-worship mode, doing some serious sonic damage. This thing rips.
Specs:
Treble: Boosts the Highs
Bass: Boosts the Lows
Gain: Adjusts the amount of drive
Level: Adjusts the output level, unity is around 9 O’clock… This thing is LOUD!
Power: Any regulated 9-18 volt DC power supply with a negative 2.1mm center barrel. Higher voltages will yield more headroom with a fatter and more focused tone and a wider gain range.
4.37″ X 2.37″ X 1.75″ with knobs
Submitted by Aaron Rogers (website)
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