Steve Vai: “My Secret Weapon Is the Same As Everyone Else’s”

A game-changing joint effort between EarthQuaker Devices and Dr. Z Amplification, the ZEQD-Pre injects your guitar rig with a healthy dose of tube-flavored character. Place this all-analog preamp pedal at the end of your signal chain, and you’ll revel in the harmonic-rich warmth and dynamic response you’d expect from a cylinder of glowing-hot glass. The ZEQD-Pre’s robust, passive 3-band EQ is just what the doctor ordered for fine-tuned tone shaping, pushing its preamp into ear-grabbing grit, or breathing new life into your favorite modeling patch. Moreover, this stellar stompbox features a switchable analog cabinet simulation for seamless DI recording and backline-free live performances. You also get a Boost footswitch with a dedicated Level control, delivering a wide-open volume bump that lets your solos soar high above the mix without sacrificing clarity or character. Finally, the ZEQD-Pre includes numerous thoughtful features, including a Ground Lift, Headphone output, and a balanced XLR DI output. Driven by an EF86 pentode — the same tube that fuels Dr. Z’s pristine, hi-fi amplifiers — the EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre offers a complete, all-analog amplifier system that fits right on your pedalboard.