Question:
Hey all, I'm about to start really getting into guitar. I've been playing in the youth band for a few years but I'd like to get serious about guitar, and rise above mediocrity.
I've got a Epi standard les paul coming in a week. I'm playing out of a crate amp. I'd like to build myself a pedalboard w/ effects, but I have no idea where to start. What are some good universal pedals that could be recommended?
Right now on faster songs I just play the distortion channel on my amp and on slower songs I switch to clean........
Thanks!
Answer:
Originally Posted by rippinforjesus Hey all, I'm about to start really getting into guitar. I've been playing in the youth band for a few years but I'd like to get serious about guitar, and rise above mediocrity.
I've got a Epi standard les paul coming in a week. I'm playing out of a crate amp. I'd like to build myself a pedalboard w/ effects, but I have no idea where to start. What are some good universal pedals that could be recommended?
Right now on faster songs I just play the distortion channel on my amp and on slower songs I switch to clean........
Thanks! A few words: Amp before pedals. Make sure you have a decent amp that you are satisfied with. The best pedals into a not-so-great amp will sound like mush. Particularly which Crate amp do you have?
Answer:
Effects are like condiments. You don't particularly need them, but they're nice at times. And you definitely don't want to put random condiments on your tone when you don't really know what they taste like.
I could tell you to get a delay pedal because delay sounds good, that's kinda like me saying get a bottle of ketchup, because kethcup usually tastes good. Who knows, you might not like ketchup.
Answer:
I agree with both the above. Before getting any effects, I would concentrate on getting a solid technical base (As effects do not make you rise above "mediocrity"!). By this I mean that you concentrate on learning things such as scales and practicing lead playing (assuming that is what you want to do).
As far as gear though, I think it is much more important to have a solid guitar/amp setup before any effects. As said, the best effects in the world going into a crappy amp will still sound like crap. The Epi LP is a solid guitar, so you will be fine with that for a while. Depending on what Crate amp you have, you might be fine there. Generally their tube amps are quite nice, but their low end solid state amps are generally pretty bad.
Answer:
What do you play?
Answer:
My crate amp has two 12", i'm too lazy to go downstairs and check the model. It cost aroud 400-500 if I remember right. If that helps at all......
I play rhythm and lead guitar at times in the worship band. We do alot of Hillsong stuff, some Chris Tomlin, etc...
Answer:
Get a POD or some other multi-FX pedal. It is the best gateway to FX and you get all of them for one price. Digitech makes a couple affordable multi-FX pedals.
Answer:
Originally Posted by PianoMan As said, the best effects in the world going into a crappy amp will still sound like crap.
Unless you're Jack White.
To the OP. Since you're new to effects and guitar playing in general, I would deffinitely go the multi effect route. The ZOOM G2 gets great reviews, and at $100, it's not gonna break the bank. Get used to that, and make regular stops at Guitar Center. Don't worry too much for now about tone, since you probably won't be able to tell the difference quite yet. Just worry about experimenting and having fun. Find out what sounds and effects you like on the G2 (or other multi) and then start getting into the single stomps (if you'd like) and better amps etc.
If that crate is the GX-212 then you can do a lot with the rythm channel set pretty clean. It's not perfect, but it's a pretty solid amp to play with for now.
Answer:
I'm not really "new" to guitar, I've been playing for three years. I'm just getting sick of playing the same tone for everything. It adds alot to the sound when you use effects....
Answer:
Originally Posted by Burks Get a POD or some other multi-FX pedal. It is the best gateway to FX and you get all of them for one price. Digitech makes a couple affordable multi-FX pedals.
I wouldn't recomend the cheaper Digitechs. I don't know about the more expensive RP series models, but the RP80 isn't worth the money.
Answer:
Read: http://www.harmony-central.com/Effec...explained.html
Answer:
The effects I would consider essential for me would be:
Distortion/Overdrive pedals
Delay
Chorus
Tuner (not really an effect, but much needed)
EQ/Boost
Answer:
Originally Posted by ieatdirt I wouldn't recomend the cheaper Digitechs. I don't know about the more expensive RP series models, but the RP80 isn't worth the money.
I would recommend the RP80. It comes with every effect you'll actually use and some that you'll never use.
Answer:
Originally Posted by rippinforjesus I'm not really "new" to guitar, I've been playing for three years. I'm just getting sick of playing the same tone for everything. It adds alot to the sound when you use effects....
I know I can get a LOT of tones out of my guitar without even touching a knob on my amp. Fingers matter.
Answer:
I second getting a good delay unit. Don't go with multi's...just slowly figure out what you really like and get it. For our worship services, all I have is my Strat>Boss BD-2 Blues Driver>Boss DD-6 Delay>Peavey XXX tube amp. And I occasionaly use a slide and/or ebow, and use the amps distortion alot. The only thing I'm considering adding right now is a volume pedal, and maybe a wah. Neither are truly essential, and I'm going for simplicity since I have to move the setup twice a week or more.