EarthQuaker Devices has teamed up with KGR Harmony and Oitomi Ironworks to create 2 limited & unpublished editions: the Iron Blumes and Iron Plumes pedals .
This unique collaboration blends Japanese craftsmanship with American sonic innovation, resulting in cast-iron cases fashioned using the traditional “Nanbu-tekki” technique(a traditional Japanese cast-iron casting technique dating back over 900 years, used primarily to make teapots and handcrafted utensils renowned for their durability and refined aesthetics).
Unfortunately, these 2 exclusive models are available in ultra-limited quantities (100 units each) and are available on Reverb.com, but only for the American market…
A collector’s box, with no electronic changes!
KGR Harmony, headed by Keijiro (KG) Fukushima, is renowned for its meticulous approach to high-end pedal design. This project with EarthQuaker Devices grew out of a shared interest in the impact of case materials on the sound of effect pedals. With this in mind, KGR Harmony approached Oitomi Ironworks, a craftsman specializing in the manufacture of cast-iron teapots and utensils.
The cases of the Iron Blumes and Iron Plumes have been produced using cast-iron casting, a process which, according to some guitarists, could influence the resonance and dynamics of the electronic circuits… (or so the brand claims…).
While the electronic design remains unchanged, it’s the unique appearance of the cast-iron chassis that makes these models so special. In fact, the Iron Blumes and Iron Plumes incorporate the circuitry of EarthQuaker Devices’ classic Blumes and Plumes:
- Iron Plumes: A dynamic overdrive inspired by Tube Screamer circuits, offering precise, articulate grain, ideal for boosting tube amps.
- Iron Blumes A more muscular, low-frequency-oriented variant, perfect for guitarists seeking thicker, organic saturation.
This alliance between EarthQuaker Devices, KGR Harmony and Oitomi Ironworks marks an unprecedented encounter between the world of guitar effects and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. A perfect demonstration that innovation is not limited to electronic circuits, but also involves the choice of materials and manufacturing methods. And who knows, perhaps this collaboration will this time lead to original creations…
What do you think of these new models?
