EQD x KGR Cast Iron Blumes and Plumes
EarthQuaker Devices
EarthQuaker Devices is proud to announce an international collaboration with KGR Harmony and, through them, Oitomi Ironworks. Together, we have developed a custom run of cast-iron enclosure Blumes and Plumes pedals, which are now for sale exclusively on Reverb.com for a limited time.
KGR Harmony, founded by Keijiro (KG) Fukushima, is based in Iwate, Japan, and specializes in handcrafted guitar pedals. Kejiro’s strong interest in the long-debated topic of how enclosure materials affect tone led him to Oitomi Ironworks. Oitomi is known for handcrafting traditional and modern-style iron teapots and kettles, referred to as Tetsubin, using “Nanbu-tekki” techniques dating back over nine hundred years.
Workers at Oitomi inject a mold with molten iron.
“We wanted to collaborate with KGR Harmony to create these extra special pedals using the traditional Nambu-tekki production method. We were drawn to the attention to detail and craftsmanship carried through generations, drawing inspiration from using a traditional technique in a new way.”
The KGR and EQD teams discuss the casting process.
KGR Harmony and EarthQuaker Devices began working together to develop enclosures for the Plumes and Blumes pedals, which were showcased at EarthQuaker Day 2024. The few pedals made for the showcase generated a lot of excitement and sold out immediately. Soon after, Jamie Stillman and Julie Robbins travelled to Japan and watched in person as the enclosures were cast for this special run of pedals. “It was a very special experience to visit the Oitomi forge to witness the casting process,” said Julie.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with EarthQuaker Devices on the limited edition Nanbu-tekki Plumes and Blumes overdrives. EQD has long been a high watermark to us for their innovative designs, commitment to quality, and work that inspires — not just in how their pedals sound and how they are made, but also in the ethos that guides their making. From first getting to know the EQD team to hosting them at Oitomi Ironworks, every step of this special project has been a thrill and we couldn’t be happier with the results. We hope you love them too.”
Be sure to check out the FULL INTERVIEW with Jamie and Julie, sharing their time in Iwate touring the Oitomi facility and witnessing the creation of a genuinely fantastic batch of enclosures made by a group of hardworking and talented individuals!
100 Blumes and 100 Plumes in these custom cast-iron enclosures are now available exclusively on Reverb.com. These will only be available to customers in the USA until supplies run out.
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This run of the cast iron Blumes & Plumes is now sold out. We hope to continue this collaboration and bring more Nanbu-tekki effects to you in the future.
