EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive

$215.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (5)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (11)

$215.00 6 available Used

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Average Price: $215

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Overdrive Effects Pedals category, EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Dive into the sonic landscape where clarity meets grit with the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive. This overdrive pedal, powered by a unique black glass OC139 germanium transistor and two germanium diodes, offers a palette of tones that range from a pristine boost to a dirty, gritty overdrive. With its straightforward interface of Level, Tone, and Drive knobs, sculpting your sound becomes an intuitive ritual. Whether you're pushing the front end of your amp or adding character to your signal, the Crimson Drive stands as a testament to tonal versatility.

Key Features:

Powered by a black glass OC139 germanium transistor and two germanium diodes for distinctive overdrive tones.
Offers a wide range of sounds from clean boost to gritty overdrive.
Easy-to-use interface with Level, Tone, and Drive controls for precise sound shaping.
Ideal for pushing the amp's front end or adding character to your signal path.

Product specs

Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Crimson Drive
Finish	Candy Apple Red / Black Print
Year	2007 - 2015
Made In	United States
Categories	Overdrive and Boost Pedals
Pedal Format	Standard

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive?: The EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive delivers a warm, vintage overdrive tone reminiscent of classic tube amplifiers. It is known for its rich harmonic content and ability to maintain clarity even at high gain settings, making it suitable for blues, rock, and classic rock genres.
Does the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive work well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups?: Yes, the Crimson Drive is versatile and works well with both single-coil and humbucker pickups. It enhances the natural character of your guitar, providing a smooth overdrive that complements various pickup types.
Is the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive suitable for beginners?: The Crimson Drive is user-friendly and suitable for beginners who want to explore overdrive effects. Its straightforward controls make it easy to dial in desired tones without overwhelming complexity.
What power supply does the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive require?: The EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive requires a standard 9V DC power supply, center-negative, which is common for most pedalboards. It does not support battery power.
How does the EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive compare to other overdrive pedals?: The Crimson Drive stands out for its vintage-inspired tonal quality and exceptional clarity at high gain levels. Compared to other overdrives, it offers a unique harmonic richness and maintains the integrity of your guitar’s natural tone.

Videos

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ProGuitarShopDemos

Earthquaker Devices Crimson Drive

ProGuitarShopDemos

Earthquaker Devices Crimson Drive Overdrive

Prymaxe

EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive Germanium Overdrive

EarthQuakerDevices

Earthquaker Devices Crimson Drive Germanium Overdrive | CME Gear Demo | Joel Bauman

Chicago Music Exchange

EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive

JetCityMusic

EarthQuaker Devices Crimson Drive

Curtis Kent

Reviews

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PROS

Infuses every guitar with rich, harmonic, germanium-driven magic
Versatile across various amps (Orange, Supro, Friedman)
Delivers treble-boosting qualities and iconic breakup tones
Retains low-end beautifully, even with high sizzle
Simple controls for ease of use
Works well with both clean and dirty amp settings
Can double as a treble booster
Admired for its aesthetic: red sparkle paint and black skulls

CONS

Produces slight white noise when engaged without playing
Can get noisy at higher settings

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The pedal uses a buffer leading into a germanium transistor gain stage, followed by germanium diodes for asymmetric hard clipping.
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The tone control functions as a variable low pass filter similar to the Rat's filter control but with less cut.
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Comparisons

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It combines elements from the Rangemaster/Fuzz Face and Electra Distortion, differing from classic op-amp-based overdrives like the TS or Klon.
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Notably brighter than a DOD250, it can achieve "ice pick" tones when used with a Telecaster.
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The v2 Crimson Drive is reportedly lower gain compared to v1, offering easier handling at reduced gain levels due to the added tone knob.
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Use cases and applications

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Ideal for achieving vintage distortion with semiconductors made from germanium, which offers a "crunchy" sound that integrates well with clean or dirty channels.
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The v1 model is preferred for higher gain settings, making it less ideal for lower gain overdrive, where it sounds "ODish" but not as favored.
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User experience

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Owners praise its unique sound and ability to stack well with other pedals, noting its compatibility with the EQD Bows.
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Owners of the v1 Crimson Drive note it excels as a fuzz pedal with maxed gain, producing unique brassy tones when pushed beyond typical levels.
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Value and pricing

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Previously available used for around $110-$140, but current prices are inflated on resale platforms.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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jo_hannes_g

158

over 8 years ago

Gritty sound

This pedal delivers a nice gritty - fuzzy sound, It also can be used as a Treble Booster. I like it a lot, but it can get a tad noisy at higher settings. Recommendable.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Blues