Special Cranker Video Manual "An Overdrive You Can Trust" | EarthQuaker Devices

Hello EarthQuakers,
We are back with a deep dive into our latest pedal, the Special Cranker, an all-discrete analog distortion enhancement device.
Some pedal lovers out there may wonder why anyone would need a manual for an overdrive. "Aren't all overdrives essentially "Turn it up to make sound louder!"
Well, Special Cranker isn't just any old overdrive. Instead, it's a versatile stompbox that works to boost and enhance your instrument's signal with a bit of grit while not obliterating your amp's natural tone.
A unique feature is the diode selector switch allowing you to choose between the softer and rounder germanium or the brighter and edgier silicon tone. In either mode, you'll get an enhanced version of your signature tone that you can control. The Special Cranker is a medium-gain drive designed not to dominate your sound. Instead, it acts as a sonic tool in your pedal arsenal, offering more options for tone sculpting. Also, it can flat-out rock.
So, please nod your head approvingly as we walk you through a few ways you can use the Special Cranker to augment and refine your already killer tone on any instrument.
Shot by Chris Tran, Jeff France, Dannesh Moosa
Recording and Mixing by Jeff France
Edited by David Whited
Riff Model: Cory Juba
Music Provided by
Lisa Bella Donna "Return of the Hallowed Reaper Warriors"
Lisa Bella Donna "Last Call"
Lisa Bella Donna "More Control Sweep"
lisabelladonna...
Visit our site: www.earthquaker...
Follow us on Instagram: / earthquakerdev
Like us on Facebook: / earthquakerdevices
Follow us on Twitter: / earthquakerdev

[@starshineraiser6729]

Hi, I buy a lot of pedals and you need to know, you’ve given us something truly remarkable with this pedal. This is easily a top ten saturation unit, at any price. I’ve bought $350 overdrives that don’t have a patch on this. It’s so great that I bought a second because red is my favorite color. I lucked into something amazing. When you stack two of these, prepare to be shockingly satisfied, whether you set them close or contrasted with each other. It’s a tonal playground for psych, indie rock, shoegaze and it’s Led Zep II in a box. Lastly, the price seems like a thank you to your customers for how much you get. I know I’m gushing but this is after months of using one, get your favorite single coil guitar and try one. Thank you so much, EQD. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming up. More red please.

[@paradox7743]

It's a great pedal because the effect is very subtle. Earthquaker is on the cutting edge of the wave. Most "boutique" pedal companies just burrow ideas but Earthquakes actually designs pedals that have never existed B4. They are really unpredictable and truly experimental allowing musicians to explore extreme sonic territories...

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for appreciating our style

[@rebbeche]

The best dirt pedal of 2022 period!! A classic! just like the old vintage pedals that have inspired us through out generations and were also affordable back then, the special cranker is on that level. Thanks Jammie

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Exactly.

[@LeffHynebridge]

I tried one of these in the store without knowing what it was exactly and fell in love. The latch mode is icing on the cake - so good!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks for sharing! SO glad you dig😎

[@richardsteffens6159]

Just got mine yesterday and have been drowning in inspiration since!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Best way to go

[@nickp440]

The germanium mode alone is worth the cash. So good.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Was just saying that very same thing!

[@mattseguin9991]

I love that you guys reimagined/improved the speaker cranker. Please do a 3-knob version like this of the Erupter. If it had a volume and fuzz control, it would be the fuzz to end all fuzz.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

But that’s the point of the Erupter, to be the ONE, only appreciated by a civilization to be continued

[@DimitriLeeBX]

@@EarthQuakerDevices Does a fuzz pedal even need a knob. We just need a big Red Foot Switch with a flip off cover like a missile launcher or self destruct button.

[@morganghetti]

@@DimitriLeeBX mine dont.

[@felinekaiju4517]

@@EarthQuakerDevices I think the Eruptor is to a civilisation, as Mt Vesuvius was to Pompeii.

[@zovguagnelli]

Starting my Earthquake journey today when this arrived today from a local shop in Amsterdam, and I must say I've never experienced the sound of my guitar and my amp as harmonic as today. Very happy to read all the comments and to confirm it's actually a very rare and great find, with massive tone. I suppose I could connect it in front of a Plumes and shredd.

[@boonatuna]

so warm yessssss. Great job! That song you did was awesome too, I ordered the pedal :)

[@augustdorien]

my friend let me try theirs with my JC40 amp and it sounded so good. going out to buy one today, thanks for making cool stuff

[@clydewilliams7061]

Man, very very nice! All of a sudden EQD is putting out very useful stuff! Always had really co stuff just not stuff that was actually useful on your pedalboard. These new drive pedals are so useful!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Good stuff!

[@whiskybravo4648]

Corey! Nice demo my man.

[@drewsleyy3836]

Can't get over that last demo!! Holy crap!! Made me want all the pedals you're using lol. Amazing job

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Thanks so much!

[@leehenderson8132]

OK just got mine coupld hours ago.WOW ALL BOW DOWN TO THE SKULL FACED ONE.EQD.THE TRUE KINGS OF GUITAR EFFECTS.LOVE THIS THANG.

[@DarnellColeMusic]

This was a GREAT video

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Why thanks!

[@drewg3087]

Sold! Sounds killer clean and kinda fuzz like distortion. Thanks so much!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

thank you!!

[@drewg3087]

@@EarthQuakerDevices bought two, ha. Will go well with my ghost echo.

[@cortmiller]

I could listen to a whole song of that moog playing. That was pretty dope

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

I just bought mine yesterday. Pleasantly surprised with how well it sustains.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

An overdrive you can trust!!

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Dude, you rocked that last demo out! Nice job! I actually bought 2 of these special crankers. They are awesome pedals to stack. I love the low-end responses and the breakups I can get. I'll push my hoof fuzz with one cranker and have the other specifically on my quad reverb dry amp. I admittedly had to turn the bass way down (3), but I found the sweet spot. It sounds so beautiful. Transparent. So when I play darkness, it plays darkness. If I play twang, it plays twang. I ❤️ this pedal.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Sweet! Glad you're loving it

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

This company is super special. And I would buy anything you guys make. Thanks to all of you.

[@maykolllopez1585]

Thank you 🙏 got it in Purple Sparkle for my purple board.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

nice!

[@leonidstrappov7921]

Got one, love it.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Yay x19393725

[@NoCoverCharge]

I have 5 overdriverish pedals on my board …and now basically I just use this one and a boost when needed ..it’s all you need

[@Rygo-wk3jm]

What boost do you like to run?

[@michaelarkett3865]

I own this. And it’s perfect

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Yes you heard it here folks!

[@rogerYT69]

love mine too ...awesome pedal! 😉

[@perrywang7385]

I was a bit skeptical about this pedal at first… until I got one accidentally from a friend, I’d say it’s staying permanently on my board now, along with the tc spark booster pedal. I use the SC first in my gain stage when I want more grit, and use the spark to further dial in the EQ or as a solo boost at the end of my gain stage, I’ll change my drive from time to time but these two when combined together is pure booster/od heaven. And last but not least, the SC really play well with other drive pedals.

[@DanielKastner]

Love mine. It’s a post rock machine!

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

That’ll work!

[@TheToneLounge]

I have to get my hands on this thing so I can try it with my AC15 and Hot Cat 30r.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Oh you’re gonna like that

[@analogdebut]

That amp 😳🙌

[@jordanpratt3821]

Thank you for just bangin out some chords.I hate searching through 20 demos of people playing solos,or only single note stuff in general.

[@toneleudy]

The foot switch is also a momentary switch. I learned this by mistake yesterday

[@dannyvalentine468]

The fact you used this on a synth as well makes ya boi happy. Might need to get this ;)

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

We have got you

[@GreneKny3t]

An amazing pedal. Would it stack well with the Plumes?

[@pyroheart6801]

I bought one, and it gives more of a "Speaker" drive to my high gain amp tone (The Speaker moves more air with this pedal on). I like a thick tone for my guitar, and I trust this Overdrive to get me there.

[@SocialAutism]

I now want to run a Rhodes through it.

[@denverm4x]

Cory has fuckin chops.

[@freezeframeplease]

this literally feels like a pedal that yells "LOUDER!" to my tube amp. Bassy, unity for tone seems to be around 3 o'clock-ish. But i like it that way ! i might buy a second unit just because i keep kneeling to crank up the "more" control.

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

I know a lot of people using two Special Cranker to change up the texture and tone!

[@sKilfoyProdCo]

What are the little switches you have on your telecaster?

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Switches up the pickup wiring!

[@Fuhgitboutit]

I came here to say that the other day I cranked the gain on my Laney lc 50 and put the cranker in ge mode with the more at like 9 o clock the level and tone all the way and my amp was about to blow in the best way possible it was better than any fuzz super sick

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Gnarly!!

[@metalehead95]

Can it do near clean sounds?

[@Guitar_Romantic_L.A.M.F]

Similar to a treble booster?

[@brianrollins7275]

Any good stacked with Plumes?

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Yep!

[@jakubsach8431]

sound like fuzz, 🥐👍

[@gonebymidnight2881]

Is it good stacked withe a Dunes?

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

yeah!

[@Clutch3672]

Killer

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Very little filler

[@Clutch3672]

It’s a killer pedal and stacks well with all my fuzzes and overdrives

[@coreyharen24]

❤❤❤

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

🪢🍀🌒❤️

[@Hexx1978]

Want

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

gett

[@Hexx1978]

Done

[@gingataff]

I thought sag comes form the rectifier tube.