Dimebag and his FURMAN PQ-3

The sound that forged the metal world

dimebag-rig-2001-dean-ml-randall-furman-pq3

The FURMAN PQ-3 Parametric Equalizer / Instrument Preamp were Furman’s first product in 1976. (Jerry Garcia bought the first one). Now it’s a collectors item still used by top guitarists. Dimebag owned several original PQ-3; he used the FURMAN PQ-3 for many years throughout his successful career and albums.

In 1998 Dime asked the Furman Company to bring the PQ-3 back. So they did. The ‘newer’ PQ-3 was identical to the original except they added a front panel–input along with the rear one, so you can plug into the front or back. The green and red faceplate from 1976 was the same. The preamp was the same and the sound is the same. And so is the PQ-3’s extra deep and wide range of adjustments. It goes from +20 dB to xx, infinite cut. That’s wider than you’ll find in studio parametrics, and it’s great for guitarists. With the Furman PQ-3, whatever you want to do, you can do more of it. Create your own sounds.

To add to Dimebag’s iconic sound, was his 1981 Dean ML and Randall amplifiers; RG100 if I am not mistaken.

10 Comments

  1. I have TWO older Furman PQ-3’s. One green face, one black face.
    Neither have front mounted in/outputs. Both work great, regardless.
    Both are for sale, as I can’t play any more due to finger problems and old age. πŸ™
    Also, two Boss Super Effect units. An SE-50, a SE-70, and a Yamaha GC2020 Comp/limiter.
    All For $3200.00, and I’ll also throw in a 1976 Gibson Thunderbird reissue(Tabacoo burst) and a 1977 Fender Tele Custom (Has a Seymore Duncan in the Middle posistion), both with Hard cases to boot.

    In central New Jersey, and for cash. I will NOT ship, or take anything but cash.

    ALSO,(heh heh) a Radio Shack Stereo 12 band Graphic EQ for FREE!

    Nothing sold seperately, unless you WANT to pay $3200 for any single item! πŸ™‚

    I also have a REVOX A-77 reel to reel that needs help.. you can have it if ya want,

  2. I have to say, that the Furman PQ-3 is indeed a wonderfull device that allowed me, as a bass player dial in/out sonic problems that a particular venue had.
    And with a twist of a knob, it could make my SVT stack either shake the place to it’s knees, or piss people off!

    When I had my AMPEG SVT in my apartment, I would DRONE my bass, Crank up the 25HZ, cut everything else, and kill my evil neighbor’s goldfish five apartments away!
    (I hated him)

    It would shake the building and NOT make a sound to humans!

    It made me laugh when he had “floaters” 100 feet away!

  3. Hey there,
    I live in Cntreal NJ too -Trenton to be exact. Do yuo still happen to have those PQ3’s for sale? Please let me know.

    Thanks!

  4. hey sean~

    i actually have a blackface PQ3 (one of the old ones, no front side input) that i’d probably be willing to sell. it’s definitely been used and doesn’t look perfect, got some scuffs, scratches and things, and is missing a knob, but i think it all still works ok. let me know if you’d be interested and i can put it through its paces to make sure it’s still in 100% ready to go functionally.

    justin

  5. I have TWO Furman PQ-3’s, a green AND a blackface, but I need to get rid of the entire package in one shot, paid for in cash, with a person picking them up, as I will not ship.
    For a mere $1300.00 you will also get the two Roland SE’s (a 50 and a 70 complete), Alesis SR- drum machine, Radio shack Stereo 12 band Graffic EQ,Yamaha Comp/limiter, Shure (and other) mikes, cables, strings, and etc.

    I simply can NOT sell one with out the others
    All must go in one sweep… and like I said it will be done in cash with YOU picking up, here in central NJ.

    I will NOT accept anything but cash, and I will not ship.

    For $5000.00, I will will also throw in a 1976 Gibson Thunderbird and a 1977 Fender Telecaster… both with factory hard cases.

  6. Yeah I have a rg80es half stack with jaguar speakers and the mxr6 band pedal and the doubler rack only thing I’m missing is the pq3 people are selling the pq3 for $500 which is almost insanity paying that much there worth $300 at best I’m looking for an alternative parametric EQ

  7. Ok, sometimes cheap or not, Rane pe/sp 15. Usually cheap, Behringer UltraQ peq2200 5 band. Both used. A new alternative, Rolls rpq160 4 band. Those are the least expensive ones I found. Good luck, stay safe.

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