Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 10 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (54)
$349.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (3)
$349.00
Amazon
4.3 (23)
Used
Reverb
5.0 (18)
$349.00 New
$265.62 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$349.00
zZounds
5.0 (1)
$349.00
B&H
5.0 (3)
$349.00
Thomann
4.8 (75)
$355.00 $319.00 $36.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£335.00

Average Price: $338

High-end/Boutique

$50

$176+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Meet the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe, the ultimate equalizer and boost pedal designed to give you maximum control over your sound. Whether you're trying to slice through a dense mix or remedy a pesky feedback problem, this pedal is your secret weapon. Its super smooth Baxandall filters allow for broad high and low frequency shelving adjustments, elevating your tone effortlessly. The ParaEq MKII Deluxe operates internally at a whopping 27V, ensuring clean headroom without any unwanted clipping. This pedal is not just about power, but precision. With parametric 3-band EQ, frequency and gain controls for each band, and boost control (+30 dB), you can shape your sound with surgical precision.

Key Features:

  • Equalizer and boost pedal designed for maximum control
  • Parametric 3-band EQ for precise sound shaping
  • Frequency and gain controls for each band
  • Boost control (+30 dB) for added volume
  • High-pass, low-pass, high-shelf, and low-shelf filters
  • Bypass and Boost footswitches for easy operation
  • True bypass for pure, uncolored sound
  • Status LED display for boost and bypass
  • Powered by 9 - 18 V DC mains adapter (not included)
  • Made in Canada

Note: This pedal does not support battery operation.

Owner's manual

Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal User Manual

Product specs

Pedal Type 3-band EQ, with Boost and Fully Sweepable Q
Analog/Digital Analog
Inputs 1 x 1/4"
Outputs 1 x 1/4"
True Bypass Yes
Height 2.5"
Width 2.6"
Depth 4.8"
Weight 1 lbs.

FAQs

What type of signal path does the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe use?

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe features an all-analog signal path, ensuring a rich and expressive sound that maintains the original tone of your instrument.

How does the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe handle power supply requirements?

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe requires a DC voltage between 9V and 18V with a negative tip, and it needs 85mA of current. It features internal voltage regulation for consistent headroom.

Can the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe be used with both guitar and bass?

Yes, the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe is versatile and can be used with both guitar and bass, providing precise tonal control for a variety of instruments.

What is the primary function of the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe's boost feature?

The boost feature on the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe allows you to increase the signal level, which is useful for solos or when you need to cut through the mix.

Does the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe offer true bypass switching?

Yes, the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe features true bypass switching, ensuring that your signal remains unaffected when the pedal is not engaged.

AndyDemos

AndyDemos

Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Deluxe

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Deluxe by AndyDemos

Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII Deluxe

AndyDemos

AndyDemos

Video thumbnail for Make ANY Amp CHUG With This Pedal! (So Much POWER!) by Sonic Drive Studio

Make ANY Amp CHUG With This Pedal! (So Much POWER!)

Sonic Drive Studio

Sonic Drive Studio

Video thumbnail for ParaEq MKII Tutorial #1: Pedal Intro / High-Pass & Low-Pass by Empress Effects

ParaEq MKII Tutorial #1: Pedal Intro / High-Pass & Low-Pass

Empress Effects

Empress Effects

Video thumbnail for Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Demo | PG Plays by Premier Guitar

Empress ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Demo | PG Plays

Premier Guitar

Premier Guitar

Video thumbnail for Empress - ParaEq MKII Deluxe by Bass Stuff

Empress - ParaEq MKII Deluxe

Bass Stuff

Bass Stuff

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Deluxe by Mike Hermans

Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Deluxe

Mike Hermans

Mike Hermans

Video thumbnail for Empress Effects - ParaEQ MKII Deluxe | Full Demo and Review by Happy Mag

Empress Effects - ParaEQ MKII Deluxe | Full Demo and Review

Happy Mag

Happy Mag

Reviews

PROS

  • Replaces multiple pedals, freeing up pedalboard space

  • Lowers noise floor, improving sound quality

  • Versatile for different instruments and environments

  • Powerful tone shaping and filtering capabilities

  • Transparent boost without altering instrument's basic tone

  • Exceptional build quality and sound

  • Detailed and easy-to-understand user manual

  • Effective for both live performances and studio use

  • Can solve a wide range of tone problems

  • Offers a significant improvement over other EQ pedals

CONS

  • Price may be high for some budgets

  • Small knobs can be challenging for users with larger hands

  • Lacks modern features like presets and stereo connectivity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal.

Features and functionality

  • The pedal can be used for both cutting and boosting frequencies, with users recommending "boost wide, cut thin" for shaping guitar tones.

    Source
  • The pedal is praised for providing the "umphf and breathiness" when driving a speaker cabinet, aligning digital and analog rig sounds more closely.

    Source
  • The pedal's Q knobs offer subtle changes, often challenging for users to distinguish, making it necessary to spend time understanding their impact.

    Source
  • The low shelf filter is fixed at 200Hz and high shelf filter at 1kHz, acting like typical bass and treble controls on an amp.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners use it to dial out feedback in acoustic guitars and enhance mellow clean tones, making it versatile for both acoustic and electric setups.

    Source
  • It's particularly effective for focusing mids after a scooped fuzz, like a muff, by boosting the mids knob frequency band slightly.

    Source
  • The pedal is favored for executing the Pultec EQ trick, using narrow Q to identify muddy frequencies and adjusting gain to enhance clarity.

    Source
  • Adjusting the EQ before a blues driver can alter the dynamics significantly, allowing users to mimic the EQ characteristics of other drive pedals.

    Source
  • Owners report significant tonal transformation when the ParaEq MKII is used post-overdrive, enhancing TS808 pedals with low-end bump, mid cut, and high-end sheen.

    Source
  • It's noted that graphic EQs are preferred at the start of the chain for boosting, while parametric EQs like the ParaEq MKII are effective in effects loops for shaping tones.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner describes it as the only non-negotiable pedal on their board, highlighting its indispensable role in their setup.

    Source
  • Users find the pedal's learning curve steep but manageable with guidance, emphasizing its capability to solve a wide range of EQ issues.

    Source
  • Owners note the importance of adjusting settings per venue, as EQ settings that work in practice spaces may not translate well to live venues.

    Source
  • Some owners discovered after years that a quality EQ pedal can effectively modify existing overdrive pedals, reducing the need for multiple overdrive purchases.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The pedal's font and layout are inspired by Midas analog mixing desks, suggesting a professional studio aesthetic.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Bassic Review – Empress Effects ParaEQ MKII and ParaEQ MKII Deluxe Pedals

bassgearmag.com

The Empress ParaEQ MKII and MKII Deluxe pedals shine with their compact design and impressive functionality, delivering a transparent sound that's hard to beat. Musicians will appreciate the extensive control options, particularly the Deluxe's advanced shelving and filter features. While both pedals excel in reducing feedback and enhancing tone, some users may find the smaller font on controls challenging under low light. Additionally, a slight hiss can emerge when pushing the high shelving filter on the Deluxe. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall build quality and performance make these pedals a worthy addition for any bassist looking to refine their sound without cluttering their setup.

positive

"The Empress Effects ParaEq MKII Pedals Are as Good as It Gets": Head of Engineering, Jay Fee, Explains How Their New Parametric Equalizers Can Take Your Sound to the Next Level | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal is a game changer for guitarists seeking precise tonal control. With its advanced parametric EQ capabilities, players can fine-tune their sound with surgical accuracy. The design boasts impressive headroom, ensuring clean performance without clipping, while the transparent sound quality preserves the original tone. However, the price may deter budget-conscious musicians looking for basic EQ solutions. Overall, this pedal is a solid investment for serious players who prioritize sound quality and versatility, but casual users might find it overkill.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tosin Abasi uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Tosin Abasi

Guitarist

Animals as Leaders

...
Verified via Photo

A photograph of Tosin Abasi's pedalboard clearly shows a Empress Para Eq as the rightmost blue pedal. This evidence is further discussed in a related Reddit thread focusing on Tosin Abasi's gear setup here https://www.reddit.com/r/animalsasleaders/comments/14y7vfy/tosin_abasi_gear_setup/

See how Misha Mansoor uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Misha Mansoor

Guitarist, Drummer

Periphery

...
Verified via Instagram

In Misha Mansoor's Instagram post captioned "Fun setup. What would you change/swap?", the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal is visible in his setup.

See how Julien Baker uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Julien Baker

Singer, Guitarist

boygenius

...
Verified via Photo

In one of [Julien Baker]'s 12 days of Christmas giveaways, she states 'This is the Empress Effects ParaEq. A couple of months ago, my friend Steve at Empress said "we're making another version of the ParaEQ and I'd like to send you one and I had never had an EQ on my board perhaps because I am a person who enjoys instant gratification with a short attention span and I like pedals that are super wacky, super fast, or have maybe more - have wacky delay, spaced out reverb sound or weird modulation or more dramatic overdrive or fuzz and I thought maybe this a little too specific and intricate for my needs and this has done wonders for my tone.'

See how Andrew Huang uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Andrew Huang

Singer, Guitarist

First Of October

...
Verified via YouTube

can be seen at 9:25 in this video

See how Justin Meldal-Johnsen uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Justin Meldal-Johnsen

Bassist, Music Producer

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Empress Effects Inc.

According to the artist page on Empress Effects Inc., Justin Meldal-Johnsen uses the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal.

See how George Thorogood uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

George Thorogood

Guitarist, Singer

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video "George Thorogood Rig Rundown Guitar Gear Tour with Guitarist Jim Suhler" by Premier Guitar, at 29:15, an Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal is clearly visible connected to George Thorogood’s pedalboard.

See how Dann Huff uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

Dann Huff

Guitarist, Music Producer

White Heart

...
Verified via YouTube

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal is confirmed to be part of Dann Huff's equipment as it is clearly shown on the pedalboard built for him by XTS, as demonstrated in the video titled "Bucket list build: Dann Huff studio board" by xacttone on YouTube.

See how David Carreire uses Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal

David Carreire

Guitarist, Music Producer

TOPS

...
Verified via Photo

A photograph of David Carreire's pedalboard from the "Bury The Key" tour clearly shows his use of the Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal, as evidenced by the image on Equipboard.

Album Usage

The Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Empress ParaEq MKII Deluxe Equalizer and Boost Pedal, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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jk47

jk47

Gear IQ 266

chrisweinhardt

chrisweinhardt

Gear IQ 446

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