Empress Effects ParaEq w/Boost

It's easy to use, turn knobs and flip switches.

But to really dial it in requires a lot of trial and error.
I read where someone said, "walk away for a while, then come back".
That's true, your ear can accept most adjustments as good but when you come back after refreshening the ear, it may sound different from your tone goal. Eventually the adjustments will get less until you really dial it in, then you're there.
Basically you choose a Q setting, increase the gain (low.med,hi)of your choice, adjust the frequency, then lower gain to desired level.
At least tat's what I'm doing.

Getting to your tone zone takes time but is easy if you have an ear.

The pedal does what it says, it will increase frequencies in three
areas - low, med, hi.

My goal is to get a Steve Kimock Two Rock - ish tone meets a clean Robben Ford Dumble/Super Reverb sound.

I only have a Fender Blues Deluxe so I know this is a lot to expect from a pedal.

The Para EQ can indeed shape your sound to "sort of" sound like those amps. My Deluxe becomes bigger and more multi dimensional.
This is enough to elevate my Blues Deluxe sound into something closer to the full clean soloing tone of Kimocks Two Rock tone.
I'm not saying I now have a Two Rock tone, I'm just saying my Deluxe is closer to that arena of tone than ever before.

I have the Para EQ before my Greenline od > my Zendrive od.
The signal really slams the pedals in great ways. enhancing and driving it into sustain bliss.

I do notice some hiss in quiete situations, the pedal isn't totally
quiet, it's minimal and does not affect tone if you are moderate with your adjustments, in other words don't turn all the way up.
But would never want to do that.

I also copped a SRV "Lenny" tone, even closer than the Kimock tone.

I recommend writing adjustments on the template paper they provide because you can tweek like 10 perameters, hard to remember different tone settings.

I always start with 10 in this area. If it screws up,that score will drop in future posts.

Same here, start with 10 for creating such a great pedal

It's a new pedal for me but I really like what I've dialed in so far.

It's the first pedal in my chain.

Does it morph my amp into a dream amp? I don't know, it makes my good sounding amp sound bigger and more present, it sounds like the bigger, fatter Blues Deluxe I've always wanted.

Does it morph my imagination in musical ways.
I imagine in time I will find many more unique tones. Can't wait.

Yes

If you are familiar with a Parametric EQ, then it's easy, but if you aren't just use your ears. 9 because it is easy to use. It's extremely easy to get a decent sound, just depends how picky your ears are.

Tip: Being an EQ your ears adjust to what you have set so it's always a good idea to find a setting you like, play for a bit. Walk away for an hour or two, then come back and try the last setting you had, no changes. If you like it good, if not make some changes. Small changes will be difficult to hear, so I find it helpful to sweep the full range of each knob, then set it where you want... it helps to refresh your ears, and may reveal something you missed before.

Very clear manual.

Phenomenal. I found it working great in front of the pre-amp, in the FX loop, and in a mixer board. I have a MXR 10 band that I use in the FX loop since I'm able to control a little more range, and I've decided to use this in front of the pre-amp, both as a boost, and for adjustments as I required based on volumes and situations. It sounded fantastic in the FX loop, and would easily replace the MXR, but I had to make a choice, until I can get a second one that is :)

Can't tell yet... I haven't heard of any problems from Empress stuff.

Awesome. Very friendly, outgoing, informative, patient. Speedy responses to questions.

I play what I feel. I don't have style boundaries. This fits well in my arsenal both to correct, and improve. I'm saving for another.

Compared with other options on the market (in a stomp style) this is in my opinion the best. If you want a Parametric EQ, this is the one.

Seemingly complex yet simple to operate even for the novice.

Only a matter of seconds spent sweeping to find the tonal attributes your looking for. Some experimentation from there with the "Q" switches and amount of gain applied and you'll quickly find your desired sound. Boost is self explanatory turn up to boost tube amp input.

Clear manual descriptions help even further.
Brand new unit ordered day of release.

Pristine Sound Quality! same guitar only sculpted to my desire. I truly believe the .003% THD claimed the unit is near imperceptible, until you want it to be that is!

Extreme setting produce a higher noise floor like any stompbox. Nothing major to speak of.

Using it with high gain amps to sculpt the distortion sounds. Pre-Distortion EQ is my application.

The Boost function sounds wonderful slamming the input of my tube amp, not an afterthought a great sounding boost in its own right.

Brand new we'll see... seems well built, comparable to any other boutique stompbox, clean interior.

I'm not rich so i don't have any backup gear.

Steve Bragg is an example of exemplary customer service. He WILL go out of his way to please a customer and deal with any problems, complaints. Incredibly kind and helpful!

I play Metal of all kinds.
14 years playing.
All Pro Equipment.
Guitar tech .


This Pedal is a secret weapon, a void has been filled in the guitar market. Most guitarists think an EQ pedal would be the last pedal to buy when in fact it should be the first one. Buy one and realize your sound was always terrible!