Earthquaker Arrows V2

A modern booster made to "wake up" your effects chain

The EarthQuaker Devices Arrows is a preamp booster designed with a clear idea: to provide you with a discreet yet highly effective tool to optimize what follows in the chain. Rather than adding pronounced saturation, it acts as an energy and clarity engine, especially when your sound becomes too dense or "muddy" with certain combinations (heavy fuzz, stacked overdrives, slightly dark neck pickups). Its approach is deliberately minimalist: a refined sound, a single control, and immediate response at your fingertips.

In a pedalboard setup, the Arrows behaves like a "binder": it can push another pedal to increase sustain and enrich harmonics, or simply bring your signal to the forefront. It's typically the kind of effect you keep for a long time because it adapts to the evolution of your gear (guitars, amps, other pedals) without requiring relearning complex settings.

Who is it for, for which styles, and when to use it?

The Arrows is aimed at a wide range of guitarists, from beginners who want a simple and effective pedal to seasoned musicians looking for an "always useful" booster to fine-tune their gain staging. In blues and rock, it helps bring out the attack, densify amp crunch, or add more responsiveness to a light overdrive. In stoner, grunge, or metal, it becomes an ally to tighten the low end before distortion, achieving cleaner palm mutes and more controlled bass.

Its placement is flexible: before a fuzz to remove "mud" and gain definition, before an overdrive to reach more gain and sustain, or at the start/end of the chain as a level enhancer depending on your needs. In the studio, it helps regain presence without necessarily pushing the amp volume; live, it works as a simple boost to cut through the mix or as a light "always-on" preamp to add bite to your tone.

Controls, design, and power supply: maximum simplicity, total efficiency

The Arrows' concept is based on a single potentiometer: Level. Turning clockwise increases the output level; counterclockwise reduces it. This "one knob" approach encourages ear-based adjustments in seconds, whether for a slight lift (same volume but more lively) or to push the next stage hard (another pedal or amp input).

The pedal is analog and uses relay true bypass switching. Important note: since switching is electronic and relay-based, the audio signal does not pass without power. Regarding power, the Arrows accepts a 9V battery or a standard 9V DC power supply with a 2.1 mm center-negative barrel connector. The manufacturer advises against unsuitable power supplies (risk of noise), and it is essential to respect the recommended voltage: do not use higher voltages.

Sound

The Arrows stands out with a boost that does more than just increase volume: it structures the spectrum. The low end gains firmness, improving riff precision and limiting "splashiness" when stacking gain. The mids are emphasized with a very musical curve, ideal for repositioning the guitar at the center of the mix without harshness. The highs become brighter, which can really help clarify a neck pickup or a guitar with a dark character.

Playing it feels like a more energetic and "ready-to-play" signal: better clarity, easier sustain, harmonics easier to trigger. Depending on what you place after it, the Arrows can remain subtle (a simple clean-up) or become a true saturation catalyst, giving your overdrives and fuzz a tighter and more expressive response.

Technical specifications

Effects	Boost, Preamp	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Green

Dimensions	121 x 64 x 57 mm (4.75 x 2.50 x 2.25 in.) including knobs	Output impedance	less than 10 k?
Current consumption	8 mA	Power connector	2.1 mm center-negative barrel
Input impedance	10 M?	Consumption	8 mA