equipboard's Pedalboard

When it comes to EarthQuaker Devices, our expectations have always been sky-high—and for good reason. For years, they've delivered on reliability, aesthetics, and sonic versatility. The Westwood Overdrive maintains that gold standard.

Straight out of the box, the Westwood exudes a robust, high-quality build that we've come to expect from EarthQuaker. The aesthetics are top-notch, and the top-jack design is particularly space-efficient, a small but meaningful touch for those of us with crowded pedalboards. However, we did notice the true bypass switch emits a noticeable click—an audiophile's minor annoyance.

In terms of features, the Westwood impresses with its simplicity and effectiveness. The absence of a mid-control might initially seem limiting, but the independent bass and treble controls more than make up for it, providing a highly responsive EQ that allows for significant tonal shaping. The center detents on the bass and treble knobs are also helpful. The bright LED indicator, however, can be a bit too glaring for night sessions. It's so bright, when it's on it can be hard to read even other pedals settings on your board.

As for sound quality, the Westwood shines through with transparent overdrive that retains your original tone while adding clarity. Whether used as a clean boost, overdrive, or mild distortion, this pedal adapts well to various instruments—guitars, bass, even synths—and stacks beautifully with other pedals, including fuzz.

Bottom line, the EarthQuaker Devices Westwood is a stellar choice for musicians seeking a versatile and transparent overdrive that works in a variety of settings. It's especially suited for those who appreciate nuanced tonal control. However, if you're after high-gain distortion or need a mid-control for that extra tweakability, you might want to look elsewhere. For its price, the Westwood offers exceptional value and quality, delivering more than many of its counterparts.