Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $175
Standard/Professional
$50
$176+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* 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
Unlock the full potential of your guitar's tone with the Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive. This overdrive effects pedal is designed for musicians who crave a rich, dynamic sound without sacrificing the natural character of their instrument. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, the Earth Drive delivers a warm, tube-like overdrive that enhances your sound without overwhelming it.
At the heart of the Earth Drive is its unique circuit design, which ensures a smooth, natural overdrive that's ideal for both subtle boosts and full-bodied crunch. Whether you're playing blues, rock, or jazz, this pedal offers a versatile range of overdrive tones that blend seamlessly with your guitar's original sound. The Earth Drive is particularly celebrated for its ability to retain the lower-end frequencies, providing a full and balanced tone that many other overdrive pedals lack.
The Earth Drive's intuitive control layout makes it easy to dial in your desired sound. With just three knobs for Gain, Tone, and Level, you can effortlessly adjust the depth and character of your overdrive. Its robust construction ensures reliability on stage and in the studio, while its true bypass switching maintains the purity of your signal chain when the pedal is not in use.
Key Features:
- Unique circuit design for smooth, natural overdrive
- Retains lower-end frequencies for a balanced tone
- Simple control layout with Gain, Tone, and Level knobs
- True bypass switching for signal integrity
- Suitable for a wide range of musical styles
Product specs
| Brand | Sarno |
| Model | Earth Drive |
| Finish | Green |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Overdrive and Boost Pedals |
| Pedal Format | Standard |
FAQs
-
What kind of tones can I expect from the Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive?
-
The Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive delivers warm, natural overdrive tones that preserve the character of your guitar and amp. It excels at adding a smooth, dynamic boost to your sound without altering the original tone, making it suitable for blues, rock, and country genres.
-
Is the Sarno Earth Drive suitable for use with both electric guitars and bass guitars?
-
Yes, the Sarno Earth Drive is designed to work well with both electric guitars and bass guitars, providing a transparent overdrive that enhances the natural sound of the instrument without excessive coloration.
-
Does the Sarno Earth Drive work well with other pedals in a signal chain?
-
The Sarno Earth Drive is known for its versatility and can be easily integrated into a pedalboard, working well with other effects pedals. It maintains clarity and dynamics, making it a great choice for stacking with other overdrive or distortion pedals.
-
What power supply does the Sarno Earth Drive require?
-
The Sarno Earth Drive operates on a standard 9V DC power supply, which is typical for most guitar pedals. It can also run on a 9V battery for added convenience.
-
How does the Sarno Earth Drive compare to other popular overdrive pedals?
-
The Sarno Earth Drive is praised for its transparent and dynamic overdrive, setting it apart from other pedals that may color the sound more significantly. It is favored by musicians seeking a natural boost that retains the integrity of their original tone.
Videos
Curtis Kent
Earth Drive - Boost / Overdrive Guitar Pedal
Reviews
PROS
-
Highly versatile with wide range of tones using tone and drive knobs
-
Transparent sound with subtle mid-hump, less pronounced than Tube Screamer or Klon
-
Excellent presence and warmth, enhancing touch response
-
Easy to use with intuitive control layout
-
Works well at the front of amp chains, especially with low-wattage amps
-
Ideal for both boost and drive applications
-
Well-regarded by users with experience across multiple pedal brands
CONS
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive.
Comparisons
-
Owners find the Earth Drive superior to the Soul Food, Zen Drive, DIY Klon clones, and Full Drive 2 for its rich, creamy overdrive that maintains chord clarity.
Source -
A user plans to compare the Earth Drive with the Halberd, suggesting curiosity about potential sound overlap between these two overdrive options.
Source -
The Sarno Earth Drive is noted for having significantly more drive on tap compared to the Greer Lightspeed.
Source -
Users suggest the EQD Speaker Cranker as an affordable alternative, achieving 90% of the desired tones for half the price.
Source
Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
-
The pedal is praised for its suitability as an "always-on" drive, with one owner using it consistently for over a year.
Source -
It’s been noted that the Earth Drive is ideal for achieving tones similar to the Cocteau Twins' solos, particularly from "Heaven or Las Vegas."
Source -
There's anecdotal evidence that Andy Summers used the Earth Drive during The Police Reunion tours for his overdrive tones.
Source -
This pedal is notably popular among pedal steel players, appreciated for its ability to smooth out unwanted frequencies.
Source -
Nels Cline reportedly uses the Sarno as a Klon alternative, which may lead to redundant sounds for those already using a Klon KTR.
Source -
The Earth Drive is highly recommended for Americana-influenced indie music, similar to bands like Wilco and modernized Tom Petty.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
He's using one in this video (at 2:30). Also seen on the inside photograph of his LP "Last Night on Earth".
"The SMS Earth Drive is excellent," says Nels Cline who started using it because it travels well due to its size.
In the music video for Jeff Tweedy's song "Feel Free", his studio pedalboard appears and contains a Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive.
A Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive can be seen in this photo of Bill's pedalboard.
Shown in a September 15, 2021 Instagram Story posted by Peter. Seen towards the bottom right corner.
In this Instragram photo from Oct 2015, Jessica gives fans a shot of her current pedalboard. The SMS Earth Drive can be seen in the middle right.
"I really like the [Sarno Music Solutions] Earth Drive, which sounds like an amp—more like an overdrive than a fuzz."
Buck Meek of Big Thief includes the Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive on his pedal board, as highlighted in Paolo De Gregorio's article on Delicious Audio. This overdrive pedal, often likened to the Klon style and recommended by Nels Cline, is a key component of Meek's setup.
Kellin Quinn uses the Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive pedal, as shown in his personal home rig pedal board featured in his Instagram story.
Album Usage
The Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive has been featured on the following albums:
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 Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive, it is most commonly used with the following gear.