EarthQuaker Devices Plumes Review: The Overdrive That Makes a Good Amp Feel More Alive

The EarthQuaker Devices Plumes does not need much scene-setting: it is an overdrive designed to be left on, pushed into another drive, or used as a sharp little level lift when an amp needs to wake up. What makes it stick is how little it fights the guitar already in your hands.

Mode one brings a tighter, more compressed push that is excellent for rhythmic parts. Mode two opens the pedal up into a cleaner, louder boost. Mode three lands in the familiar mid-forward overdrive territory, but with enough clarity to keep chords readable. None of the three settings feels like an afterthought.

The most useful Plumes sound is often the boring-looking one: gain low, level up, tone adjusted to the room. It gives a clean amp enough urgency to feel responsive and lets a crunchy amp keep its shape instead of collapsing into fizz. Stack it after a fuzz for focus, or before another drive for a more immediate attack.

It is not a magic solution for every rig, and the high headroom can be startling if the level control is treated casually. But for players who want one compact drive that can cover boost, grit, and a more assertive lead sound, it earns its place quickly.

We are giving this Plumes away. Head to the giveaway post on Instagram, like and share it, then tag three mates in the comments before 20 August 2026. Full terms are linked above so everyone knows the score.