Topic: the Guitar Pedal Thread (Read 378026 times)

Catacombs · « **on:** 01 Feb 2008, 22:07 »

So I'm looking into buying a few different pedals, and I realized i don't know ANYTHING about them. I sort of have an idea, but i figured i'd bring it here before i go shopping. The only pedal i have is the Boss DS-1, and my guitar is a Fender Strat. I want something chorus-y (Boss CE-1?) and some with good fuzz/crunch/maybe a tube screamer. Ideas?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 22:12 »

A Boss CE-1? I guess if you really want to throw that much money at a chorus pedal, go for it, but man... it's just chorus.

Or did you mean a Boss CH-1? That would be a much better idea.

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 22:18 »

Quote from: Catacombs on 01 Feb 2008, 22:07

and some with good fuzz/crunch/maybe a tube screamer. Ideas?

I personally am a fan of the Blackstone Mosfet Overdrive. It emulates tube amp distortion pretty well.

Catacombs · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 22:25 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 01 Feb 2008, 22:12

A Boss CE-1? I guess if you really want to throw that much money at a chorus pedal, go for it, but man... it's just chorus.

Or did you mean a Boss CH-1? That would be a much better idea.

I most likely meant CH-1

Patrick · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 22:52 »

My first-ever encounter with distortion pedals involved the use of a Boss DS-1. If I had any money right now (yes I am that broke) I'd invest in one. Right now I've got a DigiTech Hot Head and it's about as versatile as a shit in a bag.

One thing I like using is my Boss DD-20 GigaDelay. That thing is a -staple- for all of my stuff. It really fills in all the empty spaces, and it takes a bit of practice, but it can be done very tastefully. It's got 11 different delay options and you can control absolutely everything if you just take the time to read the manual.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 23:07 »

What kind of an amp are you using? If you're planning on recording or playing out it's generally a good idea to have a good amp before you spend all your money on pedals.

I recommend:

FireAarro · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 23:32 »

Is that a Fender Blues Deluxe?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 Feb 2008, 23:37 »

Yep. That thing gets crazy loud and sounds amazing.

Though if you're not going for "loud", I guess it's not that necessary.

I prefer audience-deafening performances personally.

valley_parade · « **Reply #8 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 06:31 »

Most of my distortion comes from a Marshall GV-2. For everything else, I have a Digitech RP-50.

I need moar pedals.

Christophe · « **Reply #9 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 06:48 »

I currently have a behringer VT999, a tube overdrive with a noise gate and treble, mid and bass controls. It sounds alright, but the few reviews I've read for it mention swapping out the stock tube. Since the tube is inside the pedal enclosure, would I have to discharge the capacitor first before even touching the tube?

Before that, I used a Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion. It worked well.

Also, I should probably get a new amp.

jeph · « **Reply #10 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 07:46 »

You should just be able to pull the tube out and put in another (of the same kind, mind you, or the thing will most likely blow up due to biasing issues).

I too recommend buying a good amp before you even think about buying pedals.

If I ever play in a "real" band again I'ma get me one of those Line 6 delay modelers. Those things are really fun.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #11 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 09:16 »

ZVex. These are some of the craziest pedals I have ever seen. I wish someone sold them around here, 'cause I want a Fuzz Factory.

Thrillho · « **Reply #12 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 10:02 »

Not much of a fan of pedals, myself, I gotta say. Too many guitarists hide behind an assload of distortion or effects to hide that they've mediocre guitarists (I'm looking at you, Brad Delson).

I'm much more a fan of making the weirdest possible sounds I can with just distortion and alternate tunings and drumsticks and bottlenecks and the like.

bbqrocks · « **Reply #13 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 10:28 »

What do you guys think of behringer pedals?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #14 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 11:37 »

Quote from: jeph on 02 Feb 2008, 07:46

If I ever play in a "real" band again I'ma get me one of those Line 6 delay modelers. Those things are really fun.

That's the primary pedal I use when I do solo shows. They are great and wondrous things in that they allow one person with a guitar to sound like an entire post-rock album (sans drums).

Lummer · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 12:20 »

Quote from: bbqrocks on 02 Feb 2008, 10:28

What do you guys think of behringer pedals?

Two words:

A... VOID!!!!

bbqrocks · « **Reply #16 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 12:56 »

What exactly is so bad about them, then?

sean · « **Reply #17 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 12:57 »

Quote from: imapiratearg on 02 Feb 2008, 09:16

ZVex. These are some of the craziest pedals I have ever seen. I wish someone sold them around here, 'cause I want a Fuzz Factory.

Dude those are some sexy looking pedals. I would get one just so I could look at it.

THREAD HIJACK: I am currently saving up for a good bass overdrive pedal so I can get even more GRRRRRRRRRRRRSLDKJFSDLKJF out of my bass. Anybody have any good suggestions for a pedal?

Lummer · « **Reply #18 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 13:18 »

Quote from: bbqrocks on 02 Feb 2008, 12:56

What exactly is so bad about them, then?

Well, you get what you pay for, so for the price I guess they're okay.

That said, if you want good tone, avoid them. Even BOSS pedals sound better.

If you want pedals that don't swallow bundles of signal, avoid them.

If you want pedals that can actually withstand normal use without breaking like the plastic turds they are, avoid also.

And to add insult to injury, they buzz and hiss like crazy when you're not playing.

Moral is: DO NOT buy behringer pedals, ever.

bbqrocks · « **Reply #19 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 13:21 »

Damn, I was all for it until the plastic turd bit. Oh well.

Catacombs · « **Reply #20 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 13:34 »

Thanks guys. That Fender amp is currently the one i use for shows at school, and i have a small 15 watt Crate amp i use to practice on at home. I won't be doing any recording/traveling with it as i'm just getting back with my electric ( i went on an acoustic kick for the past year and a half ). Those Zvex are seriously sexy, there's a store that sells them according to the website a few towns over from me. Anyone know anything about what they run for? Handmade/hand designed and all that they probably aren't too cheap.

PECOAE · « **Reply #21 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 13:43 »

The ProCo Rat gets amazing distortion/feedback, it's quite loud though, and the feedback can overpower the sound.

Good for a slightly fuzzed out indie/noise rock sound though.

Bearer · « **Reply #22 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 13:46 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid on 02 Feb 2008, 10:02

Too many guitarists hide behind an assload of distortion or effects to hide that they've mediocre guitarists (I'm looking at you, Brad Delson).

Well, that may be true, but you have to admit that the sounds David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) can pull out of a strat are pretty fucking incredible, and his pedal rack is monsterous:

Thrillho · « **Reply #23 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 14:04 »

This is true - Gilmour, who is a massive influence on me, does have a huge pedal rack. However, his influence on me has always been more about his playing (melodic, like the guitar is singing, like it's more than a guitar solo) than his sound. What I was referring to earlier (drumsticks, etc.) was more influenced by Syd's playing on live versions of something like 'Astronomy Domine.' He wasn't one to use effects because they didn't have pedal racks like that in the sixties!

Patrick · « **Reply #24 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 14:56 »

Tom fucking Morello.

Thread over.

FireAarro · « **Reply #25 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 15:02 »

Quote from: bbqrocks on 02 Feb 2008, 10:28

What do you guys think of behringer pedals?

Good for circuit bending!
(Check out the more recent pedals he's built)

Quote from: Catacombs on 02 Feb 2008, 13:34

Those Zvex are seriously sexy, there's a store that sells them according to the website a few towns over from me. Anyone know anything about what they run for? Handmade/hand designed and all that they probably aren't too cheap.

A lot of money!

A good Fuzz Factory style pedal for real cheap is the discontinued Zoom Ultra Fuzz UF-01. Goes for about $50-80 on eBay.
Reviews

bbqrocks · « **Reply #26 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 15:07 »

Quote

Good for circuit bending!
(Check out the more recent pedals he's built)

Well, great. I was actually going to experiment with some circuit bending sometime soon, so it looks like I will purchase these. I am not actually using them for guitars, btw...

imapiratearg · « **Reply #27 on:** 02 Feb 2008, 17:29 »

I'm looking for fuzz pedals on Ebay and I haven't found a single Zoom pedal, but I found a few vintage Gibson Maestro pedals and several Zvex Fuzz Factories. The latter all range from $100-$280.

ViolentDove · « **Reply #28 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 14:06 »

Anyone used a Boss RC-20XL Loop Station before? I'm contemplating buying one while our mighty Australian dollar is still within spitting distance of the US$.

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for similar pedals to check out, let me know. It's not for guitar, but for looping vocals, harmonium, trumpet and various other instruments on the fly, so it'd be running from a mic most of the time.

Christophe · « **Reply #29 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 16:00 »

No, but this dude has.

I would like to get one despite the DeMarco endorsement, so I can pretend to be Ian Williams.

greenMonkey · « **Reply #30 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:01 »

According to Wikipedia, Ian Williams uses TWO Akai Headrush delay pedals.

Bearer · « **Reply #31 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:19 »

Quote from: greenMonkey on 03 Feb 2008, 20:01

According to Wikipedia, Ian Williams uses TWO Akai Headrush delay pedals.

David Gilmour uses THREE Compression Sustainers

But yeah, his guitar solos are amazing. They transcend excellence in a most excellent way!

Christophe · « **Reply #32 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 20:20 »

But apparently, he didn't record American Don with those pedals, instead opting to overdub those parts.

Quote from: Greg Norman on the Electrical Audio forums

There was nothing "one take" about that record. It was meticulously worked over with hundreds of overdubs, edits, and punches. They labored every end of it.
By the time they had finished touring on it, the 3 of them could play every note live.
They worked out a lot of the details in the studio.

I saw a band called Silian Rail at a house show in my hometown, San Jose. The guitarist had a RC-20, but instead of actually using it in time with her guitar playing, she had pre-loaded loops for the drummer to play to while she re-tuned their guitar. By the way, they were awesome. From what I remember, they sounded like a cross between Don Cab and Polvo.

Spluff · « **Reply #33 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:03 »

Quote from: imapiratearg on 02 Feb 2008, 17:29

I'm looking for fuzz pedals on Ebay and I haven't found a single Zoom pedal, but I found a few vintage Gibson Maestro pedals and several Zvex Fuzz Factories. The latter all range from $100-$280.

No love for the Big Muff?

(For the love of god, as tempting as it is, we can do without jokes about loving muff)

Patrick · « **Reply #34 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:08 »

LOL YOU SAID MUFF

I have never actually used a Big Muff (LOL VIRGIN) so I don't know what it even sounds like. I would, however, like an Ibanez Tube Screamer at some point. Seriously? I would probably destroy all the circuitry in there from using it so much, but it would be worth it for another.

FireAarro · « **Reply #35 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 21:51 »

Quote from: greenMonkey on 03 Feb 2008, 20:01

According to Wikipedia, Ian Williams uses TWO Akai Headrush delay pedals.

Andrew Bird uses two DL-4s live for looping, one each for pizzicato and arco. How does he sync them? Just tap accurately! Sometimes they get out of time but nobody cares.

The Big Muff's tone has a tendency to get lost in the mix. This is known as the "Muff Dive" phenomenon.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #36 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 22:02 »

I tried a Big Muff at a Daddy's Junkie Music, with some kind of Stratocaster, going through a really old Fender silverface amp. It just sounded kind of boring. It was either normal distortion, or muddy fuzz. I wish I could get that kind of fuzz J Mascis uses in the song "Little Fury Things" or like this really fuzzy guitar bit from "You Were Right" by Built to Spill.

I have yet to find a pedal that does either. I was really unimpressed by the Big Muff to say the least.

Ballard · « **Reply #37 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 22:48 »

Dude, a little piece of J Mascis's soul is shipped inside every Big Muff. It's basically THE Dinosaur Jr. sound packaged in a small metal box.

I agree that it's not an extremely versatile pedal, but if you can't get that one band's tone out of it, you're doing it wrong.

FireAarro · « **Reply #38 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 22:51 »

J Mascis's Big Muff collection:

They're the old ones, so they sound a bit different...

Johnny C · « **Reply #39 on:** 03 Feb 2008, 23:13 »

Death By Audio has released a new pedal.

It sounds fucking awesome.

Ballard · « **Reply #40 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 00:00 »

My boss at the guitar shop I work at used to intern for Oliver Ackermann (founder of Death By Audio and frontman for A Place To Bury Strangers) and they're pretty good friends.

We carry their entire line and it's fucking beast.

Spluff · « **Reply #41 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 00:53 »

That Death By Audio pedal is pretty awesome. Now if only I had more money.

Quote from: Ballard on 03 Feb 2008, 22:48

Dude, a little piece of J Mascis's soul is shipped inside every Big Muff. It's basically THE Dinosaur Jr. sound packaged in a small metal box.

I agree that it's not an extremely versatile pedal, but if you can't get that one band's tone out of it, you're doing it wrong.

I prefer to think of it in terms of Mudhoney, but hey, eithers good.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #42 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 05:19 »

Quote from: Ballard on 03 Feb 2008, 22:48

you're doing it wrong.

More than likely.

Beastmouth · « **Reply #43 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 06:32 »

Quote from: KimJongSick on 03 Feb 2008, 21:08

LOL YOU SAID MUFF

I have never actually used a Big Muff (LOL VIRGIN) so I don't know what it even sounds like. I would, however, like an Ibanez Tube Screamer at some point. Seriously? I would probably destroy all the circuitry in there from using it so much, but it would be worth it for another.

The Tube Screamer does nothing, tho, unless you have a valve amp. Feeding a TS 808 into a transistor amp sounds worse than a practice amp's distortion channel.

Patrick · « **Reply #44 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 06:42 »

Bashing solid-state will get you nowhere as it has already been pretty well established that the Marshall MG series is made for pure fucking heroism.

Seriously? I've played the same guitar through my mate's dad's vintage Deluxe Reverb and his vintage AC30, and my Marshall puts up some damn stiff competition.

[/jacking off over my Marshall]

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #45 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 07:35 »

What about the Swollen Pickle?

Ballard · « **Reply #46 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 07:46 »

Tube elitists, go play a Tech 21 Trademark 60 or 120 and then get back to me.

(What I'm trying to say is, solid-state amps suck because usually they're the cheaper, lower-quality alternative and are not made as well for that reason. If you try and make a great solid-state amp, you very well can.)

Not to say that I don't love tube.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #47 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 08:59 »

Where can I find one of those Swollen Pickle pedals?

carrotosaurus · « **Reply #48 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 09:39 »

The Way Huge Swollen Pickle has been out of production for years now, but apparently it's almost like one of the old Sovtek Big Muffs with a hell of a better sound. They go for about $2,000 whenever they kick up on ebay.

Anyway, you can build your own... it's what I'm planning on doing. You gotta get the Large Beaver kit from BYOC, plus the mod pack to pickle your beaver...
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/largebeaver.html

Also, sometimes prebuilt pickle clone pedals show up on ebay or things like that... but it's really a legendary tone.

Patrick · « **Reply #49 on:** 04 Feb 2008, 09:45 »

Okay with names like "Swollen Pickle," "Big Muff" and "Large Beaver," I REFUSE to believe that any of those names were coincidental, therefore losing half of their amusement value.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: the Guitar Pedal Thread (Read 378026 times)

bbqrocks

bbqrocks

bbqrocks

bbqrocks