Top 10 EQ Pedals to Adjust Your Individual Guitar Sound

The Boss EQ-200 Graphic EQ Pedal is our Editor’s Choice. It’s loaded with great features and can take your sound to the next level, whether you’re playing guitar or bass. It would work well with a keyboard, too.

There are 10 bands as well as an overall level control so you can use it as a general boost pedal if necessary. It also features three different frequency range settings, dual EQs, and an insert function so you can plug in additional pedals either pre or post-equalization to change up your sound even more.

This pedal actually uses two 10-band equalizers at the same time and allows you to choose between using them in stereo, parallel, or series. The amount of control you have with this pedal means that you can fine-tune your sound to the room you’re playing in, various instruments, or even different amps.

The memory feature is extremely useful, too. You can fine-tune your sound and save the settings you like so you can come back to them at the push of a button. Use each one for a different genre, location, or even set one up for your bass. For settings you’re not saving, the panel lock feature lets you lock them in place, so there aren’t any accidental changes.

Users don’t have a lot of bad things to say about this pedal though we will point out that it’s significantly more expensive than most of the other options we reviewed. Still, for a professional musician or someone who wants a lot of control, this pedal is a perfect choice.

What do we love it for?

• 10 bands
• Overall level control
• 3 frequency range settings
• Dual EQs
• Can plug in additional pedals
• Memory for 4 saved settings
• Panel lock saves settings

What were we disappointed with?

• Expensive

The MXR® KFK1 Graphic EQ Pedal is another option that’s loaded with features any serious musician will love. It was designed with input from Kerry King, legendary guitarist for Slayer, so you know this is a great pedal for heavy metal, right down to the tattooed styling.

This pedal features dual outputs so you can hook up two amps at the same time or add different pedals and effects to build your own sound. It’s perfect for creating scooped mid-tones and can give you feedback and sustain while also getting more out of your low tones. With 10 sliders, master volume, and gain control, this pedal can help you get just about any sound you want through frequency adjustment.

Because you can do so much with this pedal, it’s a little difficult to learn but, in time, you’ll figure out what to do by playing with different settings. The interface itself is easy to use, which makes finding your sound a bit easier.

As for the build, this is a durable pedal that’s perfect for performing or practicing at home. The illuminated sliders are easy to adjust in any kind of light so you can add crispness and clarity to your sound. This is definitely a good choice for metal but works great with any genre.

A few people commented that this pedal made a lot of noise and static, but this wasn’t a common complaint. Other than that, users were happy with this pedal, and several commented that it was the perfect choice for their metal band.

What are our favorite features?

• Designed with Kerry King, the legendary Slayer guitarist
• 10 band
• Sliders have LED lights
• Master volume control
• Gain control
• Easy-to-use interface

What could be better?

• Some people reported significant noise

The JOYO Professional Guitar Multi-Effect Pedal is our pick for bass, though it works just as well with guitars. In fact, it’s a great choice for four and five-string bass or a six or seven-string guitar because it covers such a wide range.

This pedal has 10 bands, each with an easy-to-adjust slider that allows you to sculpt the sound of your instrument truly. Each slider features LED illumination so you can make necessary changes even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions or on stage in the middle of a performance. There’s also an independent volume control knob and an LED light around the pedal that can easily be turned off or on. It adds a little extra light which some people really appreciate.

Another great thing about this pedal is that it’s extremely affordable for what you’re getting. Pedals that are comparable in price only offer six or seven bands while others that offer 10 are generally a lot more expensive. The sound this produces is great, too. True bypass helps keep it clear and genuine while you tweak the signal for crystal clear highs bright mids, and deep lows without muddiness.

This pedal does not run on a battery so you will need an external power supply. We have to mention the styling. The housing is made of powder-coated sky blue aluminum, which is not only really durable but also looks endlessly cool as well. It has a bit of a retro feel, though the LED accent lighting adds a futuristic touch. Users didn’t have any substantial complaints about this pedal.

What makes it stand out?

• Great for guitars, bass, or synths
• 10 bands
• Sliders with LED lights
• LED lights around the bass
• Affordable
• Durable and stylish powder-coated sky blue aluminum housing

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Requires power supply
• Users had no significant complaints

The MXR M109S EQ Pedal is an affordable EQ pedal with six bands that allow you to create scooped-mid tones, massive lows, and warms up your sound. This model has also been upgraded to eliminate noise and incorporate true bypass.

The lightweight aluminum housing is durable, so you don’t have to worry about using this pedal for gigs on the road. It’s small and compact, too, which makes it ideal for travel. The simple design is easy to adjust and, although the design is pretty basic and simple, it often exceeds expectations in its performance.

This pedal works best early in the pedal chain, and it is practically silent when set up correctly, which is usually an issue with EQ pedals in this price range. The battery life is pretty impressive as well. Making adjustments is easy and precise, plus the bright LED lights make the sliders easy to see so you can make the changes you need, even in low lighting.

People who use this pedal in their setups don’t seem to have many complaints about it. Most comment that it performs really well for the price. While this is a pretty basic design with only six-bands, it gets the job done well and is super reliable. This is a good choice for someone who wants to invest in a simple EQ pedal that does the basics very well.

Why are we impressed?

• 6 bands
• Affordable price
• Upgraded to eliminate noise
• True bypass
• Small, compact size perfect for travel
• Lightweight aluminum housing
• Silent
• Sliders feature easy to see LED lights
• Users are often impressed with how well it performs

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Very few complaints
• Should be placed early in the chain for best results

Another great option from MXR is the M108S EQ Pedal. We’re calling this the best eq pedal for acoustic guitar, too. It has 10 EQ sliders so you can make a lot of adjustments to create the perfect sound. Not only does this pedal have true bypass but it also has two outputs so you can run two different signal chains.

This model has been upgraded with noise-reduction circuitry, so it’s practically silent when turning it off or on. With so many bands, it really gives you a lot of versatility, which makes it a good choice across all genres. You can warm up an acoustic guitar or bring punch back to a crowded pedalboard.

The bright red LED lights make it easy to see each slider in any kind of lighting. In fact, some people felt the lights were actually a little too bright and either hurt their eyes or became a distraction. That said, the sliders are responsive and precise, so you get just the settings you’re looking for. Another cool thing about this pedal is that it has gain control a master volume control, so you have even more ways to play with your sound.

The lightweight aluminum housing is perfect for traveling from gig to gig. Not only is it tough, but it also doesn’t add a lot of weight to your gear.

While some of the EQ pedals we looked at perform best while placed early in the chain, this pedal gets great results no matter where you place it – early, in the effects loop, or at the end. There were few complaints about this pedal.

What makes it stand out?

• 10 bands
• True bypass
• Two outputs
• Noise-reduction circuitry
• Easy to see bright red LED lights on sliders
• Gain control
• Master volume
• Lightweight aluminum housing
• Performs well anywhere in the chain

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• LED lights excessively bright
• Few complaints from users

Boss is a well-known brand and does a great job when it comes to creating great sound and effects. The Boss GE-7 EQ Pedal is a really popular EQ pedal that’s reasonably priced. It’s not loaded with features, but the simple design gives you what you need to get the job done. This is a good option if you’re looking for a simple, affordable EQ pedal that performs a little better than you expect it to. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely a good buy.

This is a seven-band EQ. The sliders are at the top of the pedal plus there’s a master level slider. Each one is easy to adjust with excellent precision. In fact, the design is so intuitive that you can even make adjustments in low light. Since it has so many bands, you have a lot of control and can shape your sound to get it just right. This makes it a good fit for just about any genre.

Boss pedals are known for being tough, and this durable design stands up to wear and tear. It’s actually built like a tank and capable of handling life on the road. Even the jacks are built well.

Some people commented that there’s a bit of signal loss and hiss with high gains, but other users implied that this could be caused by other factors. Some stated that these sounds were less noticeable when the pedal was placed at the beginning of the circuit while others said it could be controlled by strategic use of the sliders. Another complaint was that the tone suffered if the difference between bands was too extreme.

Why is it special?

• Reasonably priced
• Simple design
• 7 bands
• Precise, easy-to-adjust sliders
• Good for any genre
• Tough and durable

What are the flaws?

• Some people reported a signal loss or hiss with high gains
• Tone can suffer from the extreme variance between bands

Our budget pick is the JOYO JF-11 EQ Pedal. This six-band equalizer lets you get more articulation for your highs, boosts your mids, and takes the muddiness out of your lows, so you shape your sound just as you want it. If you’re looking for something cheap to add to your chain or just starting to realize you need an EQ pedal, this is a great one to get you started.

The sliders feature red LED lights so you can make adjustments precisely, even in low light or in dark live settings. Plus, they’re precise and easy to move, so you always get just the sound you’re looking for. Although this EQ pedal is easy on the budget, it still performs well. Musicians use it to effectively increase bass response, lift mids for a warmer sound, or add a clean boost or cut to the overall volume. This pedal has a lightweight, sturdy aluminum alloy case and is powered by a 9V battery or a standard adapter.

A lot of people commented that they were very impressed with how well this best cheap EQ pedal performs. A few people said that there’s a subtle but audible click when the pedal is turned off and on but, overall, it doesn’t add any noise to your pedal chain. Some users also reported that the pedal only lasted a few months, but this was not a common experience.

What do we love it for?

• 6 bands
• Great for a beginner
• Fits in any budget
• Sliders feature easy-to-see red LED lights
• Can make precise adjustments
• Lightweight and sturdy aluminum alloy case
• Doesn’t add noise to your chain

What were we disappointed with?

• Subtle but audible click when turning the pedal on
• Some people reported the pedal didn’t last long

The Biyang EQ Pedal features seven bands for just the right amount of cutting and boosting. True bypass keeps your guitar and amp sounding true. This pedal doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, but it performs well and is exceptionally budget-friendly without being poorly made.

In addition to the seven bands, there is also a level adjustment so you can easily change the overall volume of the pedal. Each slider has a red LED light so you can see what you’re doing, even on a dark stage.

Overall, the Biyang EQ Pedal does a great job of adjusting and improving your sound without losing its essence. It easily cleans it up and makes it less muddy, so your true sound shines through.

This pedal is exceptionally durable. It features sealed, dust-proof metal pots as a stainless-steel metal enclosure and panel. The design is pretty straightforward, and the shiny finish looks great with the rest of your gear. It can be powered using an adaptor or a 9V battery, adding a bit of versatility.

Customers didn’t have a lot of bad things to say about this pedal. At 1.2 pounds, it’s a little on the heavy side, but it’s built like a tank so it can definitely tolerate being taken from one location to the next. The simple styling might also be a turn-off for some people. There are certainly more attractive options available, but that doesn’t have anything to do with how they perform.

What makes it special?

• 7 bands
• True bypass
• Budget-friendly
• Level adjustment
• Easy-to-use sliders feature red LED lights
• Sealed, dust-proof metal pots
• Stainless steel enclosure and panel
• Uses adapter of 9V battery for power

What cons did we find?

• Heavy compared to comparable pedals
• Some users found it unattractive

Next up is the ammoon ENO EX EQ7 Pedal which was made especially for electric guitars. It has seven bands and true bypass to create a personalized, true sound. There’s also a slider for adjusting the overall output.

All of the other pedals in our review have sliders that move up and down. This one is designed with sliders that move left to right which doesn’t affect the sound at all but might be something you prefer. The display also has an LED light that indicates whether the bypass is off or on, but the sliders themselves do not have lights.

This is a compact design that features an aluminum alloy body that’s extremely durable. It’s lightweight, sturdy, and comes with a small pouch that makes it easy to carry or store. The footprint is really small, so if you prefer a pedal that doesn’t take up too much space, this is a good one to try.

We like the styling of this pedal, too. The cool aqua color adds a nice pop of color, and the horizontal sliders give it an interesting look. This pedal does not use batteries, so you do need an AC adapter. One is not included.

The ENO EX EQ7 Pedal works best when used early in your chain and excels at clean, treble boosts. Some users commented that the switch is pretty loud, but this wasn’t a common complaint.

What makes it special?

• Made especially for electric guitars
• 7 bands
• Overall level adjustment
• True bypass with LED indicator
• Sliders move horizontally
• Sturdy aluminum alloy body
• Comes with a small pouch for travel and storage
• Cool styling

What cons did we find?

• Sliders do not light up
• Some users commented that this pedal was loud

Next up is the Caline CP-24 EQ Pedal. It’s another exceptionally affordable EQ pedal that has a lot going for it. This is a great choice for guitars and works well with bass and synths, too.

There are 10 bands to play with as well as a master gain control, each with a red LED light so you can make accurate adjustments even in less than ideal lighting conditions. The sliders also click. It’s only slightly audible, but you can feel the movement as you tweak your sound, which also helps with accuracy. It works well in the effects loop and can also be used as a volume attenuator with the amp.

This pedal is very well built. The aluminum alloy case is lightweight and durable and can handle some jostling. That said, the slider knobs are made of plastic and might not be able to handle the same level of stress. It’s a nice size and fits easily into a pedalboard.

Some people who bought this commented that there was no user manual, so they kind of had to wing it. With enough trial and error, it’s pretty easy to figure out what works best. Another thing that was mentioned is that it can be quite noisy, depending on how clean the power supply is. That said, plenty of reviewers also mentioned that they had no issues with excess noise at all. Overall, the plastic sliders might not be the best choice for playing gigs, but this pedal is great for practicing at home if you’re on a tight budget.

What makes it stand out?

• Works great with guitars, synths, and bass
• 10 bands
• Sliders have red LED lights
• Slider click with movement
• Strong, lightweight aluminum alloy case
• Great for practice sessions at home

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Plastic sliders
• Some pedals did not include a manual
• Can be noisy