Earthquaker Devices ZEQD-Pre Tube Preamp pedal

[Richard_G]

The collab between Dr. Z and Earthquaker — the ZEQD-Pre Tube Preamp — is supposed to be released on January 8th 2026.

 

[metropolis_4]

They had me at collab between Dr Z and EQD. Definitely something I’ll be checking out!

 

[Whizzinby]

 

[FuzzyAce]

I like tube drive pedals, so definitely curious to hear one.

 

[Richard_G]

 

[Richard_G]

ZEQD-Pre All-Analog Simulation Solution — EarthQuaker Devices

All-analog preamplifier with a real EF86 tube designed by EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z Amplification. A 100% analog solution for tone purists in a market flooded with digital emulations.

www.earthquakerdevices.com

 

[HotRats]

This is interesting, might work nicely as small backup rig, if the sound is there, for me.

 

[metropolis_4]

Hmm, looking more closely I’m optimistic but skeptical. EF86 tubes are already temperamental and it doesn’t look like there is much ventilation for heat dissipation. And how is the pedal fully powering that tube off 9v 500mA? Is that enough to actually power that tube the way it should be powered?

 

[HotRats]

I've listened to the demo and it's not somenthing I would use as a back up, I think is more like a pedal you build your pedalboard around, wich night be good.

I understand why they decided to have the boost disable the eq but I don't think that would work for me.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Hmm, looking more closely I’m optimistic but skeptical. EF86 tubes are already temperamental and it doesn’t look like there is much ventilation for heat dissipation. And how is the pedal fully powering that tube off 9v 500mA? Is that enough to actually power that tube the way it should be powered?

Kingsley pedals do just fine -- Jester runs two 12ax7s each at 250VDC off 12volts/500mA. 1/2 an amp of current can do a lot.

 

[metropolis_4]

Kingsley pedals do just fine -- Jester runs two 12ax7s each at 250VDC off 12volts/500mA. 1/2 an amp of current can do a lot.

I know nothing about electronics, I’ve just heard before that that isn’t enough to properly power a tube and the tube becomes more of a sales gimmick.

I don’t know, just something that makes me go “hmm…”

 

[JiveTurkey]

You had me at Dr. Z but then lost me at EQD. A bit of a conundrum I'm afraid.

 

[synthpenguin]

I know nothing about electronics, I’ve just heard before that that isn’t enough to properly power a tube and the tube becomes more of a sales gimmick.

I don’t know, just something that makes me go “hmm…”

Nah, this is different. Tons of companies do this—Kingsley, Tubesteader, AM Pedals, etc—and it works (sounds, feels) great. It’s not the same as those gimmicky pedals that just run a tube at low voltage.

 

[Whizzinby]

I think it sounds pretty cool when the boost is engaged and it defeats the tonestack. Not sure about this as an amp-in-a-pedal, but might be cool as a straight boost/OD into an amp.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

This seems to be for the folks that like the idea of the Easy Listening pedal because its "analog amp modeler" but still felt like it wasn't authentic enough because it wasn't tube-based?

I'll take the worst digital amp/cab modeler over the best analog amp/cab "modeler" every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

But I have been eyeing up a Kingsley Page and/or Maiden D lately....