An all-analog, transistor-based fuzzbox, EarthQuaker’s new Zoar is billed as a “Dynamic Audio Grinder Distortion Pedal.” In plain English, it delivers square-wave sorcery for guitar or bass rigs that’s nice for psychedelic sounds, ’60s storage fuzz, and even stoner steel.

The Zoar’s structure couldn’t be less complicated. There’s three-band EQ, however the starring knob is the Weight management, which provides an additional blast of bass frequencies that may radically alter the best way Bass, Center, and Treble work together. A wildly dynamic unit when Acquire is dialed under 2 o’clock (consider the snarly tone within the Smithereens’ “A Lady Like You”), flip up the Acquire, scoop the Center, and the Zoar will punch exhausting in your favourite drop tunings. It isn’t your typical tube-amp duplicate; as an alternative, it covers all the things from refined overdrive to aggressive fuzz. The EQ knobs are notably delicate and sensible for tone sculpture. One other hip function: it runs on the usual 9 volts, however with 18 volts brings extra sonic element and headroom.

If you would like a set-it-and-forget-it grime pedal, seize the usual inexperienced OD. However if you would like devilish sounds as your fuzz-addled inventive accomplice, the EarthQuaker Zoar is the true deal.

This text initially appeared in VG’s February 2024 subject. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.