EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder Bass Overdrive

The EarthQuaker Devices Blumes Low Signal Shredder is an all-analogue, tri-mode soft clipping bass overdrive pedal designed for bassists seeking enhanced gain and full low-end retention. Built on the foundation of the Plumes Small Signal Shredder circuit, the Blumes features double the gain and a deeper bass response, making it well suited to players who want to push a tube amp hard without sacrificing the bottom end. Internal bipolar power provides increased dynamics and ample headroom, resulting in a three-dimensional tone with added clarity.

The Blumes offers three distinct clipping modes via a toggle switch. Mode 1 uses symmetrical LED clipping for a crunchy, open sound with high output. Mode 2 bypasses the soft clipping diodes entirely, delivering pure OpAmp gain that can serve as a clean boost at lower gain settings. Mode 3 applies asymmetrical silicon diode clipping for a warmer, more transparent tone with a fuzzier character and a clean undertone. Controls include Gain, Tone, and Level, with the Tone control sweeping from bass-heavy on the left through to mid-focused in the centre and treble-focused on the right. The pedal incorporates EarthQuaker Devices' Flexi-Switch technology, allowing both standard latching and momentary operation from the same footswitch.

The Blumes accepts a standard 9V DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative centre barrel and draws 25mA. It is relay-based true bypass, meaning power is required to pass signal. The pedal is built by hand in Akron, Ohio, and is covered by EarthQuaker Devices' limited lifetime warranty. While the circuit shares DNA with the Plumes, the Blumes is specifically voiced for bass, with the gain character diverging significantly from the original above the noon position on the Gain control.

Specifications:

Dimensions
4.75 x 2.50 x 2.25 in. (121 x 64 x 57 mm) with knobs

Current Draw
25 mA

Input Impedance
10 MΩ

Output Impedance
100 Ω

Flexi-Switch® Technology
This device features Flexi-Switch® Technology! This relay-based, true bypass switching style allows you to simultaneously use momentary and latching style switching.

• For standard latching operation, tap the footswitch once to activate the effect and then tap again to bypass.
• For momentary operation, hold the footswitch down for as long as you’d like to use the effect. Once you release the switch the effect will be bypassed.

Since the switching is relay based, it requires power to pass signal.

Power
This device takes a standard 9 volt DC power supply with a 2.1mm negative center barrel. We always recommend pedal-specific, transformer-isolated wall-wart power supplies or multiple isolated-output supplies. Pedals will make extra noise if there is ripple or unclean power. Switching-type power supplies, daisy chains and non-pedal specific power supplies do not filter dirty power as well and let through unwanted noise. DO NOT RUN AT HIGHER VOLTAGES!

Artwork
Artwork by Jamie Stillman

*Specifications subject to change without notice.