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EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2

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$129.00 to $154.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (50)

9 Reviews

Find out who is using EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2

11 community setups

Featured in

Best Distortion Pedals for Guitar

35 wishlisted

155 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (21)

$139.00

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5.0 (4)

$139.00

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5.0 (44)

$129.00 66 available New

$72.50 19 available Used

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4.6 (36)

$155.00 $154.00 $1.00 · All time low

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£135.00

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Average Price: $127

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Step into a world of raw power and rich harmonics with the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2. This distortion pedal is your gateway to vintage tube amp magic, delivering the sonic intensity of a cranked Sunn Model T amplifier right at your feet. With its unique single-knob design, the Acapulco Gold V2 allows you to dial in a wide range of dirty tones, from a whisper to a roar, all while responding intuitively to your guitar's volume and tone controls.

Worried about those annoying pops and clicks when switching on and off? Fear not. The Acapulco Gold V2 boasts an upgraded silent switching system, ensuring seamless transitions and ultimate comfort during shoeless jam sessions. Hand-built by the passionate team at EarthQuaker Devices, this pedal is constructed with premium components and designed to last a lifetime.

Key Features:

Based on the sound of a cranked Sunn Model T amplifier
Delivers a wide range of distortion tones with a single knob
Upgraded silent switching system for seamless transitions
Responds intuitively to guitar's volume and tone controls
Hand-built with premium components by EarthQuaker Devices
Relay-based soft touch switch is silent and built for life
Harmonically rich tube tone

Note: The Acapulco Gold V2 requires power. No signal will pass through the pedal without power.

Product specs

Available since	January 2017
Overdrive	No
Distortion	Yes
Fuzz	No
Metal	No

FAQs

What type of distortion does the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 offer?: The EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 provides a powerful, high-gain distortion inspired by the sound of cranked vintage Sunn amplifiers, delivering a rich, saturated tone ideal for heavy rock and stoner metal genres.
Does the Acapulco Gold V2 work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: Yes, the Acapulco Gold V2 is designed to work effectively with both single-coil and humbucker pickups, offering consistent performance and tone regardless of your guitar's pickup configuration.
Is the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 suitable for live performances?: The Acapulco Gold V2 is well-suited for live performances, offering a simple, one-knob design that allows for easy volume adjustment on stage while maintaining its powerful distortion tone.
How does the Acapulco Gold V2 differ from a fuzz pedal?: Unlike fuzz pedals, which typically produce a more compressed and harmonically rich sound, the Acapulco Gold V2 delivers a straightforward, high-gain distortion with a focus on clarity and punch.
Can the Acapulco Gold V2 be powered with a standard 9V power supply?: Yes, the Acapulco Gold V2 requires a standard 9V DC power supply for operation, making it compatible with most pedalboard power setups.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Earthquaker Devices Acapulco Gold - Power Amp Distortion

ProGuitarShopDemos

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold Power Amp Distortion Demo

EarthQuakerDevices

EarthQuaker Devices: ACAPULCO GOLD (Sunn Model T in a can)

Brett Kingman

Earthquaker Devices ACAPULCO GOLD classic Sunn Model T Distortion

gearmanndude

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold Distortion Pedal Demo

Sweetwater

I BLOW THE AMP: EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 - BEST SLUDGE HIGH GAIN DISTORTION PEDAL

Music Bliss Malaysia

Earthquaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 - Pedal Empire

Pedal Empire

EarthQuaker Devices - Acapulco Gold V2

astringsuk

Reviews

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PROS

Ideal middle ground between fuzz and distortion
Enhances guitar control through tone and volume knobs
Constantly on pedal, volume control dictates distortion level
Produces thick, powerful distortion without excessive fizziness
Mimics the legendary Sunn Model T amp tone convincingly
Responsive to amp EQ settings for tone customization
Compatible with other pedals for versatile soundscapes
Single knob operation simplifies use while playing
Excellent for heavy, sludgy, doom metal styles
Well-built and durable construction

CONS

Not very versatile, primarily a one-trick pony
Can be too intense for some players or musical styles
Sound quality heavily dependent on amplifier used
Limited control options with only a volume knob
Minimum setting sounds poor, maxed out can produce unwanted noise
May thin out bass tones, not ideal for all instruments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2.

User experience

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It offers a unique experience of using the guitar's volume knob as a gain control, which has been a gateway feature for some users.
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Owners appreciate the pedal's sensitivity to guitar volume adjustments, considering it versatile enough to build a small board around it being always on.
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Users note that setting the volume knob above 1:00 can cause physical vibrations, such as shaking the pedal off an amp.
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Use cases and applications

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The pedal excels when used to hit an amp hard, with some users finding optimal settings around 3 o'clock on the volume knob for aggressive tones.
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Some owners suggest using the Acapulco Gold in the effects loop for a less trembly sound compared to running it directly into the amp's clean channel.
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It is particularly loud, with some finding it unusable in their setups due to its high volume output.
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The pedal achieves a chunky, articulate sound ideal for hardcore genres like Cursed and Converge when used with EMG pickups and a SoulFood pedal.
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The pedal pairs well with a Ram's Head Reissue and excels in stoner/doom setups, generating "Dopesmoker vibes" with a clean amp.
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Suited for heavy music styles like doom, but can be cleaned up using the guitar's volume knob for versatility.
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The Acapulco Gold is particularly suited for creating a wall of noise with significant sustain when used to push an amp's input.
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Features and functionality

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The pedal features a comically large knob, contributing to its unique aesthetic and user experience.
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The pedal's unity gain is generally achieved around 9:30 to 11:00 on the dial, though it varies slightly between units.
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The pedal excels at retaining low frequencies better than many dirt pedals without a clean blend, making it ideal for bass-heavy setups.
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Owners highlight its ability to stack well with fuzz, maintaining articulation even when paired with fuzz face style pedals.
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Comparisons

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The Acapulco Gold offers a big, nasty sound with mids, making it a suitable alternative to a muff for certain applications.
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When boosted with a Plumes, the Acapulco Gold is preferred over Rat-style pedals for its heavier gain and low end.
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Described as covering similar sonic ground to a tone-bypass muff at mid gain, yet with less compression, likened to the Pharaoh pedal.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 9 Reviews and 50 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

tylerrosier

322

about 2 years ago

Killer Stoner and Doom fuzz

This pedal is actually a bit brighter than I expected, and obviously there is no tone, but the circuit is incredible! Set your volume and you immediately have huge thick wall of sound fuzz tones. The pedal stacks super well with other pedals, and has a ton of volume!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Electronic Doom metal Chillwave

From Gear Setup

artifex_adrift

903

about 5 years ago

One Trick Pony With One Great Trick

There isn't much you can milk and spin into a review about a pedal with one knob, but this pedal does its job really well. I like to run this pedal through the front of an Orange Micro Dark into a 1x12 cab with an Eminence Wizard in it. Turning the knob up to 8 O'clock and playing with the gain knob on the amp to find the sweet spot can give you that stressed Sunn Model-T sound that everyone likens the sound quality to. It is definitely an effect that needs some pampering while you play, because if you want a lead sound that doesn't sound breathless, you'll need to dial it in, but when you go back to playing those sludgy chords, it'll take some adjusting to get it back. Needless to say, find the one thing you want to get out of this pedal, and make it do its job well.

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer Audio Engineer

Genres:

Surf music Jazz fusion Metal

From Gear Setup

z_rane

498

about 5 years ago

I've played a real Sunn amp...

So i can't speak to whether this nail that sound or not, but this damn thing is hairy! Single volume control, no tone, no gain control, but who cares because this sucker kicks the sh!t out of your amps. Initially got this to cover the QOTS heaviness, but quickly found it extends to a lock of other heavy rock sounds. Think of "Run" and "Rope" by the Foo Fighters. To get the full range out of this you'll have to become accustomed to using your guitars volume and tone controls, back off on volume and you'll get an overdrive/light distortion sound. Highly recommend this pedal!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Funk / Soul Alternative rock

jalfar

108

about 5 years ago

A lot of power in a little box

This thing cranks. It sounds like a vintage head that is on the verge of exploding. It tends to thin my bass tone out so I am looking to replace it. I do like it when put behind a fuzz on 6 string guitar.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Metal psychedelic doom post-doom metal

dorgsan

838

over 4 years ago

Drone Metal Lottery

For me it's 95% chance to get trash and 5% to get pure drone metal heaven

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Indie rock Hard rock Classic rock

luxiu

44626

almost 6 years ago

The best one-knob drive

It sounds AMAZING, a very tasty hybrid between fuzz and distortion, it is inspiring. A master volume is missed as it sounds SCREAMS SO LOUD, but that’s kinda the point anyways. It’s a keeper brutal distortion, very peculiar and effective.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock

cope_till

415

about 7 years ago

Makes my Clean Channel loud as hell when turned half way up.

Sounds like a Sunn Model T and it's great for a Fuzz. It's easily dialed to taste by the volume knob on your guitar. I Freakiin' Luv It!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Hip Hop Alternative rock

maxwellroyce

186

over 8 years ago

EQD Acapulco Gold

This thing is burly. It does an excellent job of recreating that classic Sunn Model T tone. One giant knob for volume, and damn does it get LOUD. Excellent for all your super saturated heavy distortion needs.