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Average Price: $110

Standard/Professional

$60

$151+

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Description

Introducing the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye, a marvel in the realm of boost effects pedals that offers guitarists a pristine, MOSFET-based boost to elevate their sound without altering its essence. Ideal for those seeking a significant amplification or a subtle enhancement, this pedal delivers up to a staggering 30dB of clean boost, ensuring your tone remains untainted. Whether you're looking to drive your amp harder or give your signal chain a transparent lift, the Black Eye serves as a versatile tool in your musical arsenal, acting as an attenuator, a buffer, or a pure boost with unparalleled simplicity and effectiveness.

Key Features:

  • MOSFET-based clean boost provides up to 30dB of amplification.
  • Minimal tone coloration keeps your original sound intact.
  • Versatile functionality: Use as an attenuator, buffer, or boost.
  • Simple one-knob operation for ease of use.
  • Ideal for pushing amps or pedals into sustained overdrive without creating distortion on its own.

Product specs

Brand EarthQuaker Devices
Model Black Eye Boost
Finish Various
Year 2007 - 2015
Made In United States
Categories Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What type of power supply does the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost require?

The EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost requires a standard 9V DC power supply with a negative center pin, commonly used with many guitar pedals.

Can the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost be used with both electric guitar and bass?

Yes, the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost is versatile and can be used with both electric guitar and bass, providing a clean boost to enhance your instrument's tone.

How does the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost affect my guitar's tone?

The EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost provides a transparent boost, enhancing your guitar's natural tone without altering its character, making it ideal for pushing your amp or overdrive pedals.

Is the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost true bypass?

Yes, the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost features true bypass switching, ensuring that your signal remains unaffected when the pedal is turned off.

What is the primary use of the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost pedal?

The primary use of the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost pedal is to provide a clean boost to your signal, allowing for greater volume and clarity, especially useful for solos or driving an amp harder.

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Video thumbnail for Earthquaker Devices Black Eye Boost by Prymaxe

Earthquaker Devices Black Eye Boost

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Video thumbnail for Versus: Black Eye x Speaker Cranker Earthquaker Devices by PedaiseEfeitos

Versus: Black Eye x Speaker Cranker Earthquaker Devices

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Video thumbnail for Demo/Review: Black Eye Booster Earthquaker Devices by PedaiseEfeitos

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Reviews

PROS

  • Boosts signal significantly, allowing for standout performance

  • Maintains original tone without adding unwanted color

  • Solid build, designed for durability

  • Features a quiet button for seamless operation

  • Enhances overall sound quality and tonality

CONS

  • May be pricier compared to other options without offering extra features

  • Lack of additional features for the price point

Owner Insights

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

Value and pricing

  • The Black Eye's high resale value is partly due to its discontinued status and rumored connection to the Life Pedal's boost section.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Black Eye uses a MOSFET transistor, distinct from the Life Pedal's JFET, offering similar goals but differing in execution and tone.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report the Black Eye's boost circuit as highly effective, paralleling positive feedback from Life Pedal users who favor its boost side.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Black Eye boost circuit is praised for its quality, making it a desirable addition to various pedalboards, especially among tone chasers.

    Source
  • Can function as a buffer post-effects or for attenuation in an amp's effects loop, offering versatile tonal control.

    Source

Build quality

  • The trim pot on the Black Eye vero build controls signal boost, while a single knob adjusts volume, allowing for precise adjustments around unity gain.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The vero board build process can be challenging, particularly cutting the board and ensuring all necessary components like capacitors are ordered.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
weepo
weepo

3565

Secret weapon

This pedal is amazing. It beefs up your sound, but also adds more tone.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Andy Summers uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Andy Summers

Guitarist

The Police

...
Verified via Photo

Directly below the Monroe painting, you can see the boost pedal there.

See how Stephen O'Malley uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Stephen O'Malley

Guitarist

Sunn O)))

...
Verified via Photo

In this image of his pedalboard, Stephen O'Malley has the Black Eye pedal.

See how Greg Anderson uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Greg Anderson

Guitarist

Sunn O)))

...
Verified via Photo

Greg Anderson uses the EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye, as evidenced by its presence on his pedalboard in a photograph uploaded to Reddituploads.

See how Emma Ruth Rundle uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Emma Ruth Rundle

Singer, Guitarist

Red Sparowes

...
Verified via Photo

Visible in this Instagram post.

See how Laura Jane Grace uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Laura Jane Grace

Singer, Guitarist

Against Me!

...
Verified via YouTube

An Earthquaker Devices Black Eye Clean Boost is visible on Larua Jane Grace's pedalboard at 10:46 in this video.

See how marissa paternoster uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

marissa paternoster

Singer, Guitarist

Screaming Females

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Marissa talks about the Earthquaker Devices Black Eye at around 14:20 of the video.

See how Christian Lembach uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Christian Lembach

Guitarist, Singer

Whores

...
Verified via Photo

Listed and shown on this picture on Christian's official EQD artist page.

See how Mylets uses EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye

Mylets

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

According to this diagram, from Mylets' Facebook, he used an Earthquaker Devices Black Eye Clean Boost pedal on his 2013 Europe / North American tour.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye, curated by the Equipboard community.

EarthQuaker Devices Black Eye Boost Mini Limited Edition
newer similar sound limited edition

A limited edition reissue of the Black Eye Boost, available exclusively on Reverb.

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