Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
The GE-7 Equalizer pedal offers seven bands of EQ, each with a +/- 15dB boost and cut across the range of 100Hz to 6.4kHz, ideal for guitar sounds. Particularly when connected after a distortion effect, this allows you to fully control your sound and eliminate unwanted feedback.
This pedal, like most EQs, is nothing flashy nor attention grabbing. However, it is a versatile multi-tool when it comes to troubleshooting and enhancing the sound your after.
- Need a a volume boost? Use the EQ.
- Want to brew your own flavor of overdrive/distortion? Put an EQ in front of that dirt.
- Having problems with the acoustics of a given space? Wrangle those pesky frequencies into submission with your trusty EQ.
- Want to make your guitar sound like another guitar? EQ’s got you.
- Etcetera, etcetera, EQcetera…
This particular one comes with the usual trappings of a Boss family member: Compact, sturdy enough, somewhat cheap components, you know the rest. Also, the GE-7 is notorious for introducing noise into your signal chain. I can attest to this. It doesn’t bother me too much at this point but I’m nevertheless fixing to mod mine when I get the chance. Modded or no it’s staying on my board for the foreseeable future. It has quickly become a “mostly-on” affair. What I guess I’m trying to say is: this little box o’freqs makes it easy to highlight the parts you wish there were more of and, isn’t that what pedals are for?
Features Boss GE-7
- Seven band-adjustable EQ sliders in a compact EQ pedal.
- Up to +/- 15dB boost/cut per band is allowed.
- Works great as a solo “boost” pedal, offering an alternative tone, or eliminating feedback.
Benefits GE-7 Graphic Equalizer
There’s not too much to say about this pedal. It’s got a 7-band EQ, it’s got a main volume slider, and an on-off switch. That’s it. It’s built like a tank, as expected of Boss pedals. It’s completely transparent in neutral position, and the rest works exactly as expected. This is probably one of the most useful pedals for a guitarist, period.
- It’s a great way to address a host of tonal issues.
- The pedal itself generates next to zero noise on its own.
- This thing is a Swiss-Army knife of tone.
- Nice range of EQ.
- Solid Boss construction.
- Easy to use.
EQ’s are great. Control over sound in a way other pedals don’t give you. Not sexy or cool but essential. GE-7 and Boss in general are workhorses and should be on your board.
As with all Boss pedals this one is built like a tank. The sliders operate smoothly and do not make scratching noises in the system when adjusting. The frequency bands seem to be set just right for adjusting guitar tone accurately, I have other EQ pedals with more bands that don’t seem to hit the right spots. It’s quiet and reliable, set it and forget it.
I enjoy having this pedal as a tool for various possible uses. I’ve used it to lessen certain frequencies that I couldn’t get rid of with the amp’s EQ, and as a boost (just sliding the volume up and leaving the rest of the sliders flat). I was pleased to find that it adds no noise to my signal when turned on, and I play with high gain and EMG 81/60 pickups. I’ve never owned any other EQ pedals, but can’t find anything to complain about with this one at all. I’ve owned many Boss pedals and always appreciate their durability and ease of use. Boss has a lot of great pedals, and some not-so-great ones either, but I suppose that’s personal opinion rather than objective fact.
Conclusion
Not a “fun” pedal at first glance and the boring gray color doesn’t help either, but the GE7 has been a permanent fixture in my rig. Other EQ pedals have crapped out (I’m looking at you new school MXR 6 band) but the Boss has been durable. I use the GE7 as an always on pedal to gently nudge up the lower mids to add fuller presence to my Fender Princeton amp which lacks a middle knob. This setting also thickens up single coil pickups to sound warmer and filled out and I put it after a JHS Morning Glory & Pulp ‘N Peel V3 compressor. The signal boost / cut slider can be useful. Occasionally I’ll use the GE7 for boosting other overdrives or getting that Kinks torn speaker tone. I have a 2nd GE7 in FX loop of a dark analog delay pedal to get longer brighter DMM-like repeats.
For a pedal that everyone says is noisy, I haven’t noticed any noise or hiss from my two early 2000’s ACA models. I have a feeling these ‘old’ GE7’s will shoot up in value since Boss began manufacturing the circuit of new models as non-modifiable surface mount. So get it now before people start listing it for Klon prices. But then I’m sure we’ll eventually get a GE7 Waza, haha. Can’t go without this thing!
