The Upper Bout
EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder
Zoar is a medium-high gain discrete distortion (using only transistors; no opamps or diodes in here!) that has that touch sensitive amp-like quality to it that everyone craves. It has been finely tuned to create a highly tweakable hi-fi and modern sounding distortion, but with the ghosts of old school circuitry to deliver a grind that is both instantly familiar and delightfully unique. Want that defined sparkle and tightness of an overdrive? This has it. Want that low-medium gain fuzz that’s perfect for drop tuned guitars and basses? This has it. Want to elevate your sonic spirit to a higher level? Try running Zoar at higher voltage! Zoar can handle power up to 18v DC. Higher voltages will yield a different frequency response with more defined dynamics and a faster response. Want to be able to dial in and control every nuance of your tone from jangly on-the-verge of break up to blowing the walls out heavy saturation? Then this is the pedal for you.
Level: Adjusts the output volume.
Weight: This is an input frequency control that changes the voice and saturation of the distortion. Turning Weight clockwise allows more low frequencies to pass through. This increases the gain, allows lower frequencies to clip faster and can shift the tone of the pedal from tight distortion to a loose fuzz.
Gain: Turn clockwise to increase distortion. This adjusts the transistor bias. A little static sound when turning is completely normal.
Bass: Passive bass control, adjusts the low frequency content between 0 and 800Hz +/- 15dB.
Middle: Passive middle control, adjusts the midrange frequency content between 500Hz and 3kHz +/- 10dB.
Treble: Passive treble control, adjusts the high frequency content between 1kHz and 10kHz +/-15dB.