Earthquaker Plumes, is it a good Tube Screamer?

Jonathanthomas83 · September 2023

Getting the awkward stock answer out of the way, NO, I will not "just buy a tube screamer".

Now we've sorted that, will the Earthquaker Plumes give me a good Tube Screamer sound in the classic TS sense? And also will it boost my high gain amps well, like a classic Tube Screamer would?

I like the idea of versatile pedals that do more than one thing, hence why I'm after something more than just a stock Tube Screamer. And I don't really want to spend on something like the Origin Halcyon.

Musicman20 · September 2023

I've heard very positive reviews. I've never tried one sadly. The new Keeley Noble Screamer could be a good idea but it's more money...

mudslide73 · September 2023

Not a Plumes but the Pillars model on the Helix is pretty good. I've got it in one of my main patches and use it as a solo boost. Jason Sadites compares it with a real Plumes here:

theatreanchor · September 2023

Yes. It’s very versatile. I liked it very much but happier with an Analogman Maxon.

edit - btw it’s also a bit tone sucky. The bottom end disappears. Some might like that. I didn’t.

Sassafras · September 2023

This is a very versatile TS:
MI Audio Blue Boy.

Image: https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--47T9_kxa--/f_auto,t_large/v1648903207/xd50spakca3s44ylcxja.jpg

thomasw88 · September 2023

Sassafras said:

This is a very versatile TS:
MI Audio Blue Boy.

That's a great shout actually
I had one of these and a plumes and various others . Didn't really bond with the plumes, really liked the blues boy

Trex moller, and Wampler paisley worth a look. Particularly the wampler

Kebabkid · September 2023

Look at The Studio Rats' demo. It was his favourite OD pedal for a while and he doesn't like TS-type pedals.

Winny_Pooh · September 2023

I believe @octatonic may have/have had one?

stickyfiddle · September 2023

I have a whole bunch of TS-alikes... All are excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them.

Animals Surfing Bear - dead simple, cheapish, and has the best graphics on it
Way Huge Green Rhino V (the little one) - the extra tone controls are very nice to tune it to your rig
Origin Halycon Green - nice and simple but the Adapt and dry mix really add to its usability
EQD Palisades - way complicated but sounds great. I'd assume from this that the Plumes is great

If I had to pick one it'd be the Origin, but obv it's not the cheapest!

Whitecat · September 2023

I was looking at the Plumes but I ended up with an EHX East River Drive. Super cheap and co-designed by Mike “Analogman” Piera which was essentially a secret until comparatively recently.

ewal · September 2023

I've got a Plumes and it's pretty versatile. I tend to use it low gain, no clipping, with a bit of a boost. It's very good at that in an always on style.

I don't really know what a classic TS sound is, so can't really advise on that...

theatreanchor · September 2023

I think there’s a TS9 for sale on here atm. Fab pedals and I think that’s an AM modded version so it’ll certainly be one of the most tubescreamery tubescreamer you can probably find. I used a TS9 throughout the 90s - loved it. It’s excellent - particularly with single coils. But really it depends what you’re using it for.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Earthquaker Plumes, is it a good Tube Screamer?

Comments