EarthQuaker Devices ScrollsFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 21 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment67%
PROS 67%
CONS 33%

Rank based on 21 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want one pedal covering DI, EQ, preamp and drive without needing several separate units
  • You value an effects loop that lets you place mods/distortion logically in the signal chain
  • You want a drive section good enough to stand on its own, not just an afterthought

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need independent control over cab sim on/off or routing to specific outputs
  • You need extra FX loop features like a crossover for compressing lows separately
  • You want built-in tap tempo, which isn't present in this version

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls
Killer effects loopGenuinely usable drive sectionVersatile all-in-one bass toolAlways-on cab simLimited FX loop flexibility for extreme low endNo dry/cab-sim balance control
EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls
Killer effects loop
Genuinely usable drive section
Versatile all-in-one bass tool
Always-on cab sim
Limited FX loop flexibility for extreme low end
No dry/cab-sim balance control

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Bassists call it a true Swiss Army Knife for the board. Multiple commenters describe the Scrolls as covering nearly every situation a bassist could need, replacing separate preamp, EQ, DI, and drive pedals. One viewer says it turns 'another preamp that can get the job done' into something offering everything without fuss. Others compare it favorably against Sansamp, Walrus Mantle, and Origin Effects Bassrig, citing better value and completeness.

The effects loop and drive section win over skeptical bass pedal veterans. Several commenters call the FX loop 'killer' and 'cherry,' noting most drive/preamp combos lack one entirely. The overdrive is praised as unexpectedly strong, doing more than shown in demos and outperforming disappointing drive sections on major-brand preamps. One viewer says they'd want just the drive side as a standalone pedal, showing how highly regarded that circuit is.

The always-on cab sim is the pedal's most cited frustration. Multiple viewers flag that the cab sim can't be toggled off or routed independently between the XLR and 1/4-inch outputs, with one calling it the reason it's not already on their board. Another agrees it's their only real hang-up otherwise. A separate suggestion asks for a dry/cab-sim balance control, and a question was raised about whether the standard 1/4 out even carries the cab sim.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?