Author Topic: guitar pedal (Read 2816 times)

CJ · « **on:** August 15, 2007, 02:05:42 AM »

looking for a guitar pedal here, and i don't know what... as of right now i run my guitars straight into my marshall 3203 artist and 4x10 cab. no pedals in the mix. this is because i feel my overall tone is very good, although the clean channel is below average. as of now, my highs seem a little too sharp and bright, while my mids seem like they are too scooped. anyway, i was thinking of maybe an eq pedal, seeing as my boost channel only has a single tone knob, and no other eq. i was also thinking about a BBE sonic stomp, as i recently saw this in another thread. another consideration was a delay pedal. i'm mainly looking for something to be used for solos and such, or maybe if it works well enough i will keep it on all the time. i'm just looking for ideas and suggestions here.

ah, if you would like to hear an idea of my sound now, check out some recordings http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=733093
the untitled one gives the best overall impression of my tone.

CJ · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:03:14 AM »

come on someone has to have an opinion... what should every guitarist have? actually, i'm also thinking about a looper. maybe a looper would be more fun to play around with than some old equalizer. to be honest, i'm just looking for something that will give me more incentive to play more. i can never seem to get myself to play for longer than an hour or so without getting bored...

Dakine · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2007, 02:58:33 AM »

A looper is ok but IMO PC recording is cheaper and can be more complex (in a good way) and cheaper.
An EQ pedal can be great to 'fine tune' things (I had one for my Engl Screamer and it helped alot).
But to maybe a thicker tone and have a multitude of options (most very good), this is a great 'multi' pedal;

http://www.pigtronix.com/products/OFO.htm

Now, as to what 'every' guitarist should have, a guitar, a lead and an amp. Seriously, if you are 'bored' get a good theory book or video or play with others. Self discipline when on own can be tough and a 'plateau' can be reached easily. Try another tact, watch some concerts, anything to give ya that 'jolt'.

Good luck :)

38thBeatle · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2007, 07:37:59 AM »

I agree with Nick, gizmos shouldn't be the things that stop you getting bored but we have all said that and all bought them nonetheless. The sonic stomp, judging by my many friends who have them, tends to stay on all the time and so what, I think, you are looking for is something to boost your tone for the solos and there are many of those about and even more opinions about each I am sure. I know a guy who is a purist and does not take to effects-just guitar and amp basically-he says it is all in the fingers though he has a sonic stomp and swears by it and he is a guy whose opinion I rate very very highly-he is a professional musician. The only other pedal he uses with any regularity is a Jekyll & Hyde-again he swears by it.To me they sound supreme in his hands but there again, he could pick up a $50.00 guitar and plug it into the cheapest amp you could find and would sound brilliant. Sorry, I am stating the obvious but I am sure others here will have their own favourite boosts, both clean and not so clean and at the end of the day, you should try a few and see what works for you. Like, you, I prefer the minimalist approach so best of luck.

hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2007, 11:58:04 AM »

Xotic RC Booster is a great sound improvement tool. Increases sustain and transparency without being sharp or anything.

froglord · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:47:56 PM »

+1 on the RC - a great boost / EQ / tone conditioner.

Ted · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2007, 03:56:56 PM »

Looper is GREAT fun and v good practice tool.

Try the Boss RC-2. Mine, rather bizarelly, also acts as a bit of a clean boost... :D

Which is nice...

CJ · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2007, 08:39:10 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

A looper is ok but IMO PC recording is cheaper and can be more complex (in a good way) and cheaper.
An EQ pedal can be great to 'fine tune' things (I had one for my Engl Screamer and it helped alot).
But to maybe a thicker tone and have a multitude of options (most very good), this is a great 'multi' pedal;

http://www.pigtronix.com/products/OFO.htm

Now, as to what 'every' guitarist should have, a guitar, a lead and an amp. Seriously, if you are 'bored' get a good theory book or video or play with others. Self discipline when on own can be tough and a 'plateau' can be reached easily. Try another tact, watch some concerts, anything to give ya that 'jolt'.

Good luck :)

well i don't really have anyone else to play with, which is why it gets kind of boring. i take lessons, so they're my theory for the week. the thing is, i don't really like playing songs i've learned, i just like to sit around and do some improv stuff-that i can do forever. the only problem is it gets boring soloing to nothing, which is why i'm considering getting a looper.

Will · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:04:57 PM »

how about an expression pedal?
Wah would be common, but I find the Rotovibe to be very different and you can sound seriously weird with that. volume seems plain

thought about downloading backing tracks and jamming to those?
cheaper than a looper

CJ · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:27:45 PM »

Quote from: Will

how about an expression pedal?
Wah would be common, but I find the Rotovibe to be very different and you can sound seriously weird with that. volume seems plain

thought about downloading backing tracks and jamming to those?
cheaper than a looper

actually i do have a zakk wylde wah pedal, just don't use it very often. the only problem with backing tracks is i don't have a computer near my amp. i could burn cd's with them, but backtracks eventually end...

Roobubba · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2007, 10:30:13 AM »

I can recommend the Zoom G2.1u as a rather nifty multi-effects unit. I use it all the time, and if you want to do some recording/jamming stuff, the USB connection to the computer (and free basic version of Cubase that comes with it) is absolutely great. Just plug your guitar into the unit, plug the unit into your computer via a USB-b (that's the printer-type) cable, and away you go.
Depending on the sound you're after, the effects on it are pretty good, too. Again, thoug, this is personal taste. I'd seriously recommend trying one out before you buy it - if you don't like the sound, you won't be 70 quid out of pocket!

Roo

Sailor Charon · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2007, 11:29:12 AM »

Well... I'm thinking of getting a whammy pedal - since all my guitars have fixed bridges...

CJ · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2007, 04:06:33 PM »

Quote from: Roobubba

I can recommend the Zoom G2.1u as a rather nifty multi-effects unit. I use it all the time, and if you want to do some recording/jamming stuff, the USB connection to the computer (and free basic version of Cubase that comes with it) is absolutely great. Just plug your guitar into the unit, plug the unit into your computer via a USB-b (that's the printer-type) cable, and away you go.
Depending on the sound you're after, the effects on it are pretty good, too. Again, thoug, this is personal taste. I'd seriously recommend trying one out before you buy it - if you don't like the sound, you won't be 70 quid out of pocket!

Roo

i actually had a zoom gfx-8 a little while ago. it was cool, but i really didn't like the sound of the digital effects.

Quote from: Sailor Charon

Well... I'm thinking of getting a whammy pedal - since all my guitars have fixed bridges...

i was considering one of them, but the idea of a whammy pedal just sounds wrong...

i actually don't really think i need any of this stuff right now, i just feel like spending some money... maybe i'll just grab a cheap danelectro pb&j off ebay so i can stop complaining.

timski · « **Reply #13 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:12:29 PM »

Quote from: callme.nasty

i can never seem to get myself to play for longer than an hour or so without getting bored...

Sounds to me like a new pedal is the last thing you need.

What inspires you to play the guitar in the first place?
Does the music you listen to/play along to excite you? If not - find the music that does
Have you ever played in a band? If not, why not try nd get something going? Playing alone in your room is by far the least interesting and challenging way of playing the guitar - playing in a group is when the fun really begins!

But if you really have to have a pedal, I'd suggest some kind of multi-fx (I personally hate them, but I don't get bored of playing the guitar...ever).

CJ · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2007, 01:46:38 AM »

Quote from: timski

Quote from: callme.nasty
i can never seem to get myself to play for longer than an hour or so without getting bored...

Sounds to me like a new pedal is the last thing you need.

What inspires you to play the guitar in the first place?
Does the music you listen to/play along to excite you? If not - find the music that does
Have you ever played in a band? If not, why not try nd get something going? Playing alone in your room is by far the least interesting and challenging way of playing the guitar - playing in a group is when the fun really begins!

But if you really have to have a pedal, I'd suggest some kind of multi-fx (I personally hate them, but I don't get bored of playing the guitar...ever).

i completely agree, which is why i decided to just spend 30 bucks instead of 150 like i was going to on the looper. i'd love to play in a band, but don't really know any drummers. my neighbor plays guitar, and he comes over every once in a while to play, but it just ends up that we just start doing our own thing and theres no point...

and yes, the music i listen to is what inspires me to play, unfortunately, i can't play any of it. dimebag, randy rhoads, so damn hard to play... fortunately for me, i'm starting to listen to RHCP a lot more and they're real easy to play. not as fun on a Les Paul though...