Guitar Pedals / Effects

Guitar Effects Pedals

There are literally thousand of Guitar Effects Pedals and Multi-Effects pedals / processors out there for guitar players to choose from – single effects pedals, multi-effects pedal boards, and “modeling” effects technology (which are extremely popular).  With all this to choose from – I will only cover a few of the most common guitar effects pedals on this web page.  Effects Pedals are covered in the first half of this page, and Multi-Effects pedals are covered in the second half of the page (scroll down). The best thing a guitarist can do is to go to the local music store and test all the effects pedals that they can before settling on buying one (or two, or three, and so on). Many of the pedals shown are older versions, but most are still the standard.

Here are some examples of some Guitar Pedals (just a few, there are hundreds) – The example pedals below are only shown to give you an idea what a particular effect would sound like. Newer models are always coming out and usually available with additional features, etc. 

1. Digital Delay – Listen to a Sample Here!

Over 5 seconds of delay time, tap tempo without external footswitch, and reverse mode make the Boss DD-6 Digital Delay Guitar Effects Pedal one of the most versatile and interesting guitar effects you’ll ever rely on. First-of-its-kind Warp mode generates radical delay effects instantly. Mode, level, feedback, and delay time controls.

2. Chorus – Listen to a Sample Here!

The versatile Boss CH-1 SUPER Chorus produces the swirling chorus sounds heard on many rock, jazz, country, funk, and other popular music recordings. Once you try out a Chorus Pedal you will be sold. The Chorus sound sometimes get compared to a 12-string, but it’s not exactly the same.

3. Flanger – Listen to a Sample Here!

The Boss BF-3 Flanger gives guitarists and bassists an updated version of the classic Boss flanger with the thickest stereo flanging sounds ever. Two new modes (Ultra and Gate/Pan) create flanging with incredible depth- plus slicer-type effects and sounds that seem to swirl around you.

4. Digital Reverb Listen to a Sample Here!

The Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb gives you six high-quality reverb modes on a par with rackmount processors costing many times as much. First-of-its-kind Modulate mode detunes the reverb sound for added spaciousness. Spring reverb emulation offers realistic spring reverb sounds. Gate reverb taken from high-end Roland studio gear. Level, tone, time, and mode controls.

5. Distortion – Listen to a Sample Here!

From screaming loud to whisper soft, the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal can faithfully reproduce the dynamics of your playing style. Level and distortion controls give you complete command of the amount of signal processing. Tone knob lets you tailor EQ right on the unit. The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is a tough stomp box that can take whatever your boot can dish out.

6. Tremelo – Listen to a Sample Here!

The classic Boss TR-2 Tremolo Pedal creates real vintage tremolo guitar sounds and variations. Built-in wave knob lets you alter the LFO waveform from triangle to square for a wider range of tremolo variations. Rate knob is a sweepable high-speed LFO control, allowing the Boss TR-2 greater control over tremolo speed.

7. Wah Wah Pedal Listen to a Sample Here!

The Boss PW-10 V-Wah is a first-of-its-kind programmable COSM-based modeling wah. But wait, there’s more. The Boss PW-10 gives you instant access to 6 classic and modern wah pedal sounds, as well as all-new Double Resonance, Uni-V, and Voice sounds never found in a wah pedal before. The V-Wah features onboard overdrive/booster effects plus 3 digital memories for storing your favorite sounds.

 

 

Guitar Multi-Effects

Here are some examples of some Guitar Multi-Effects Units 

 

Boss		Line 6

 Before purchasing any multi-effects unit, you should go try one out first to make sure its exactly what you want (need, expect, etc).   

 

Notes on Buying Guitar Pedals vs. Multi-Effects Pedals (what’s the difference?).

Why buy one Chorus pedal for $80-$100 when you can buy a Multi-Effects pedal (with 20 different effects) for under $300?  If money was the only reason – then a Multi-Effects pedal would be the best choice.  But it’s not as simple as it sounds.  Single guitar effects pedals sound so good because there are more features (controls, settings, etc) that give them their unique sound.  Although these days many of the Multi-Effects pedals can also sound great. With Multi-Effects Pedals you are getting tons of different effects, you may not be able to get the same sounds that come from single effects pedals (the settings on multi-effects pedals may not allow you to produce the same sounds as single guitar pedals – but some do, you just have to find the right ones). 

You must also remember that Amplifier manufacturers are including multi-effects right on the amplifiers now (instead of the standard “Reverb” they are also adding effects to increase the value of the amp).  Be cautious about purchasing amplifiers that have effects built in – they may sound great, or they may sound really “cheezy” (it just depends on the manufacturer).  Modeling amplifiers will include effects as well – these effects can actually sound pretty incredible…

The choices are pretty much “unlimited” so the best advice I can give you would be to experiment – go to your local music store and test out some guitar effects pedals and multi-effects pedal boards (do some comparing of your own).  Let your ears make the final decision!