EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2From real comments

Name: EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2
Rating: 3.4 (19 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 19 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%

PROS 67%

CONS 33%

Rank based on 19 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a doom/sludge power-amp style distortion with self-gating fuzz character
You play through a clean valve amp and can handle extreme volume
You're curious about EQD's sound and want a gateway pedal into the brand

What users love

Strong fan enthusiasm and gateway appealNotable0 mentions

Strongly positive

Massive volume output0 mentions

Widely praised

Distinctive power-amp distortion0 mentions

Widely praised

Self-gating fuzz behavior0 mentions

Strongly positive

Versatile with other pedals and guitar volume0 mentions

Widely praised

Simple, accessible circuit0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You're a bedroom player who can't handle illegally loud volumes
You mainly use amps with dirty/gain channels, where it gets muddy and compresses
You're worried about the reported risk of overloading an amp's preamp section

What users complain about

Risk of amp damage0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Muddy on dirty amp channels0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Impractical volume for home use0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Unclear signal chain placement0 mentions

Generally negative

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You are here

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2

Strong fan enthusiasm and gateway appealMassive volume outputDistinctive power-amp distortionRisk of amp damageImpractical volume for home useMuddy on dirty amp channels

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2

Strong fan enthusiasm and gateway appeal

Massive volume output

Distinctive power-amp distortion

Risk of amp damage

Impractical volume for home use

Muddy on dirty amp channels

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

This pedal is loud to an almost absurd degree. Multiple users stress the extreme volume: one calls it 'Illegally loud,' noting dial 1 already matches amp level 2, and another jokes that a bedroom rocker would be evicted within five minutes of turning it on. The two-LM386 design, normally used to power small practice amps, is cited as the reason it can push so much output, even reportedly overloading an amp's preamp section in one documented case.

It behaves like a power amp distortion rather than a standard drive pedal. One user explains it's designed to create power-amp-style distortion, functioning as a very high-volume preamp, and works best into a clean valve amp; a dirty channel causes compression, clipping, and mud. Another asks whether it should sit in front of the amp or in the effects loop, reflecting some uncertainty among users about its intended placement in a signal chain.

Fans praise its distinctive fuzz-like gating and doom/sludge tone. Several commenters highlight that the pedal essentially gates itself, a trait they compare favorably to fuzzes with similar behavior, and say it pairs well with rolled-off guitar volume and other pedals for varied tones. It's called a must-have and a gateway pedal into EQD, with fans specifically enjoying it for doom and sludge metal playing.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

thumb_upStrong fan enthusiasm and gateway appealNotable

5 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters call it a must-have, a fantastic pedal, and a gateway drug into the EarthQuaker Devices brand, reflecting high satisfaction among doom/sludge players.

@josem2558

Good pedal, I have one and it's frickin' dirty savage hahahaha 🤘😎🤘doom metal..........acapulco gold 666.

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

December 19, 2023

@alexlomelli3557

They way he plays after the pedal is on is exactly how I start playing once I turn mine on. Badass pedal

smart_display

March 2, 2023

@MrScrofulous

This was my gateway drug into the world of EQD. Fantastic pedal.

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March 2, 2023

@SuperBrotendo

This pedal is a must-have. With the right combo of other pedals and rolled off guitar volume this thing can really do a bunch of stuff

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September 6, 2022

volume_upMassive volume output

4 mentions

Widely praised

Users describe the pedal as extremely loud, with dial 1 already matching amp level 2, and joke that bedroom players would get evicted within minutes. This is attributed to its dual LM386 chip design, the same chip that can power small practice amps on its own.

@dontstop2517

let me try to explain what happened, the Acapulco gold uses not 1 but 2 LM386, so what? you ask, an LM386 chip is used in many 9volts amps for example the smokey amp or the ruby tuby, this chip is capable of feeding a 4x12 cab by itself, putting it at max volumen literally overloaded the preamp section and blew it up. In the official review the EQD guys dont go beyond noon

smart_display

May 28, 2025

@steeltownstatic

If you are just a bedroom rocker like me don't get this one, it's so loud you will be evicted in 5 mins lol

smart_display

July 20, 2024

@neoaureus

I bought this last week…..this thing is Illegally loud …insane…..dial 1 on your pedal is max…and my amp is at 2 . If the amp has a dirty channel it starts compressing and clipping…. Muddy. It works only a clean amp ( valve ). I think it is designed to get power amp distortion so it becomes a very very high volume preamp.

smart_display

September 27, 2023

@jrdoughty13

So for perspective, the Noisy Criket 1w amp uses 1 LM386 to power a speaker... This pedal has two of them in series, hence that its gets so frickin' loud it can blow an amp

smart_display

December 3, 2021

graphic_eqDistinctive power-amp distortion

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user notes it's designed to produce power-amp style distortion, functioning as a very high-gain preamp, giving it a character distinct from typical overdrive or fuzz pedals.

@neoaureus

smart_display

September 27, 2023

tuneSelf-gating fuzz behavior

1 mentions

Strongly positive

A commenter highlights that the pedal essentially gates itself, comparing it favorably to other fuzzes with similar self-gating traits, adding a unique dynamic response.

@TheArchersKnives

Notice how it essentially gates itself. I love fuzzes that do that too

smart_display

September 18, 2024

settings_suggestVersatile with other pedals and guitar volume

1 mentions

Widely praised

Users note the pedal can do a lot when combined with other pedals and rolled-off guitar volume, suggesting flexibility beyond a single fixed tone.

@SuperBrotendo

This pedal is a must-have. With the right combo of other pedals and rolled off guitar volume this thing can really do a bunch of stuff

smart_display

September 6, 2022

buildSimple, accessible circuit

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user notes the circuit is apparently simple enough that a 30 dollar DIY kit exists to build a similar pedal, suggesting accessible underlying design.

@ramoniak6

Just got a 30 bucks DIY kit to make one myself. Apparently it's a really simple circuit.

smart_display

February 27, 2025

warningRisk of amp damage

3 mentions

Frequently criticized

A widely discussed incident describes the pedal seemingly 'blowing' an amp at high volume, though the cause was traced to a faulty resistor rather than the pedal itself; still, other commenters explain the dual LM386 design can overload a preamp section at max volume.

@dontstop2517

smart_display

May 28, 2025

@TheArchersKnives

I love your videos. But this deceptive title is so disappointing to see. This pedal specifically most likely did not “blow” your amp. As I read through and saw your reply that it was a resistor, I’m glad you at least got it fixed. But this could have happened from any pedal. From an overdrive to a chorus. And further, reading through the comments, your click bait title has caused fear among others. You can literally hear your amp crackling right before you said “run volume up”. It was already dying. \n\nI’ll keep watching your videos, but for the love of all that is a music community, don’t fall into the click bait garbage titles. Please. \n\nOtherwise great video as always. Your playing is amazing.

smart_display

September 18, 2024

@jrdoughty13

So for perspective, the Noisy Criket 1w amp uses 1 LM386 to power a speaker... This pedal has two of them in series, hence that its gets so frickin' loud it can blow an amp

smart_display

December 3, 2021

blur_onMuddy on dirty amp channels

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user reports that using the pedal with an amp's dirty channel causes compressing, clipping, and muddiness, and that it only works well through a clean valve amp.

@neoaureus

smart_display

September 27, 2023

homeImpractical volume for home use

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A bedroom player warns the pedal is so loud you'd be evicted within minutes, making it unsuitable for quiet or apartment playing environments.

@steeltownstatic

If you are just a bedroom rocker like me don't get this one, it's so loud you will be evicted in 5 mins lol

smart_display

July 20, 2024

help_outlineUnclear signal chain placement

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user asks whether the power amp distortion should go in front of the amp or in the effects loop, indicating some confusion about proper setup.

@IronEyeJab

power amp distorsion but goes in front or in the loop fx?

smart_display

March 8, 2023

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression