EarthQuaker Devices Palisades Overdrive Pedal
The Palisades is something we said we would never do… an overdrive
based on the legendary TS808! Gasp! The horror! Another tubes creamer??
In 2014?? Really?? After loads of requests we finally buckled. We ran
tests with every popular clone on the market as well as several vintage
originals, compared, contrasted and took loads of notes. It was
exhausting but informative. In the end, we threw it all away, used our
ears and came up with what we feel is the most versatile relative of the
808 available today.
With 6 different clipping voices, 5 bandwidth settings and 2 gain
channels you will be hard-pressed to not find a setting that will wipe
every mid-boosting overdrive off your board. The clipping voices
determine how transparent and open or tight and crunchy the distortion
is. They will vary drastically depending on where the gain is set, what
channel is active and how much bandwidth is being used. The bandwidth
sets the frequency response of the distortion and goes from thin, light
and clean through fat heavy and crunchy. It may very well be the single
most important control the palisades has and what really sets it apart.
Gain A is a lower gain channel with a wider range of grit that is
great for strumming open chords. Gain B is a higher gain channel with a
tighter range that is great for palm muting and/or shredding solos. The
Palisades also has a foot switchable volume boost with adjustable level
to take it over the top when you want to throw your foot up on the
monitor and rip your sweet leads… or maybe just push the front end of
you amp a little harder. Not enough? How about a normal/bright switch to
mix and match the overall tone to different amps and guitars. Still not
enough? OK then, how about a buffer on/off switch to tighten up the
tone and make it sparkle when set to “ON” or warm it up and make it sag
when set to “OFF”.
The Palisades is a versatile dude that will give you years of loving
companionship. Each Palisades is hand made one at a time in the tiny
tree house community of Akron, Ohio.