EarthQuaker Devices Launches Scrolls Bass Odyssey Pedal
The pedal consolidates preamp and drive sections into a compact 340g unit to streamline portable bass rig configurations.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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Akron-based EarthQuaker Devices has released the Scrolls Bass Odyssey, a bass preamp and overdrive pedal co-designed by Kentaro Nakao. The unit is now available as a compact, all-in-one portable rig solution for bassists.
Why it matters
The pedal addresses the demand for portable, integrated signal chains in live music performance by combining preamp, overdrive, and fuzz functionality in a single enclosure. It represents an evolution in boutique hardware design intended to replace larger rack or pedalboard rigs.
The device features a relay-based true bypass circuit, measures 121 x 114 x 57 mm, and weighs 340g. It requires 9v DC power at 70mA, while specific frequency shaping is controlled by a 'Deep' boost at 80Hz and a 'Bright' boost at 5kHz.
The players
EarthQuaker Devices
An Akron-based boutique pedal manufacturer specializing in unique analog signal processing and innovative circuit design.
Kentaro Nakao
A musician and gear designer who collaborated with EarthQuaker Devices to optimize the pedal for professional live use.
The details
The pedal functions through an EQ section using a standard Bass-Middle-Treble architecture paired with a Vari-Freq circuit, which allows for adjustable frequency centers. The Drive section integrates a clean blend control, allowing users to mix unprocessed bass signal with the distorted circuit to maintain low-end clarity. It uses a Bandwidth control to manipulate the drive texture and a traditional drive/tone configuration to shape the signal before it reaches the output.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: The Scrolls Bass Odyssey is formally released.
The Tech Race
This release follows a broader industry trend of collapsing rack-mount complexity into pedal-sized enclosures for professional touring. It positions EarthQuaker Devices against modular digital modelers by prioritizing analog signal paths in a portable, all-in-one form factor.
Bassists can now integrate preamp, fuzz, and overdrive stages into a single unit, replacing the need for larger, multi-component pedalboards. The device requires a standard 9v DC power supply, making it compatible with most existing pedalboard power distributions.
The takeaway
The Scrolls Bass Odyssey simplifies professional bass rigs by consolidating distinct signal-shaping circuits into a single pedal. Watch for future performance demonstrations to see how the Vari-Freq circuit performs compared to fixed-frequency graphic equalizers.
Further reading
For more on evolving signal processing hardware, visit Quantum Computing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Guitarworld.
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Would you invest in a premium, specialized preamp pedal to improve your bass guitar tone?
