The EarthQuaker Devices Tentacle is a bit of an anomaly. Octave upwardly pedals were very popular during the advent of guitar furnishings pedals, but are not oft used today. Even rarer are pedals without whatever knobs!

All the same, equally some genres go more mainstream such as mod shoegaze and indie rock: experimental and vintage effects have been beingness heard more and more than oft by more and more than people (as well as some surprisingly practiced guitarists emerging from these scenes)!

Do yous need an octave pedal? How does the EarthQuaker Devices Tentacle hold up? Discover out now!

Features:

  • Single Switch
  • No Potentiometers
  • All-Analog DC Rectifier Excursion
  • Octave Circuit from EQD'south popular Hoof Reaper Fuzz
  • 9V w/ 2.1mm Negative Center Butt
  • True Bypass
  • Tentacle Graphic

EarthQuaker pedals are made by paw in Akron, Ohio. The enclosure is sturdy, and the components are peak notch. The True Bypass functions wonderfully and when off information technology won't color your signal at all.

This pedal features one of my favorite graphics of theirs, which is actually saying something, considering it's EarthQuaker Devices! Fun fact: I originally bought this just to look good side by side to The Depths on my board, and afterward found an bodily use for it.

Tone:

The Tentacle came about due to popular demand. Originally, the circuit was included with EQD's Hoof Reaper Fuzz, simply tone purists quickly roughshod in love with the octave itself!

We all know what an octave up does and what it sounds like: we've all heard Hendrix.

However, a lot of modern players may not exist familiar with what owning an octave-up pedal entails, as it's far from a clinical outcome: it can be quite unruly!

Plain because it's an octave up, it'due south really designed to exist used on the neck pickup, and with your tone knob rolled off, but there are so many more applications. Information technology's important to keep in heed that fifty-fifty though it's rather depression gain, it is technically a fuzz.

This isn't similar a whammy pedal or a pitch-shifter in a Fractal unit – it adds a lot of color and texture!

Too, yous know, being an octave pedal¸ I'd say the primary difference is a change in assail. Your notes almost feel as though they're swelling, and information technology tin actually change your approach to unmarried note melodies. Because of this, it almost sounds like a ring modulator when playing chords.

I will note, though, that when playing 3+ strings, the pedal begins to track a little…oddly. I know that's not what this pedal is designed for at all but information technology does catch yous offguard.

As far every bit how to utilize it: I really like pairing it with modulation pedals! I've gotten some amazing over the top funk solo tones when combining it with a phase shifter. It likewise plays nice with just well-nigh whatever other kind of clay yous can imagine: fuzz, distortion, overdrive, boost, to actually liven your audio up.

If you're exceptionally careful with your gain, it can be really interesting in the loop with time-based effects as well.

Final Verdict:

Exercise you lot need the EarthQuaker Devices Tentacle? For most players the reply is probably no. I can't think of too many situations in which an octave-upward is a mandatory function of a pedalboard.

However, this is a really inexpensive (simply $125 new!) way to add a really unique sound to your playing. Considering it's so touch and rig sensitive, you won't even sound like other players who own the same pedal every bit yous.

You can use this to colour your low gain tones, or get completely over the top sounds that volition brand the audition pay attention depending on your pick set on and proceeds staging.

Not but volition you sound unique, merely I think this pedal is a great way for a modernistic player to begin experimenting with vintage-style furnishings. Information technology really forces y'all to think outside the box.

Tone – iv.five/5

Build Quality – 5/5

Features – 4.five/5

If yous liked this article, check out our other reviews hither!

This article was written by Kyle Karich , our editor located in Florida.