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Author Topic: Pedals, which to begin with?  (Read 3490 times)

moominking13

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #15 on: October 05, 2007, 09:38:17 PM »
im interested in sound clips for the HT dist, ive heard nothing but good things about those blackstar pedals.

also how much are they?

Will

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2007, 09:39:40 PM »
Think they are £90 - £100

Roobubba

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #17 on: October 05, 2007, 11:07:06 PM »
Quote from: gwEm


you dont necessarily need any pedals at all, except maybe a tuner


What's wrong with a tuning fork???

HTH AMPS

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #18 on: October 05, 2007, 11:39:21 PM »
If you're getting a GH50L soon then you won't need an overdrive pedal - the amp has more than enough gain for anything upto BLS type tones.

If you want to run it clean and get your overdriven tone with a pedal I'd simply advise you to get a different amp - this amp is designed as a simple, no-frills rock machine.

 :twisted:

moominking13

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #19 on: October 05, 2007, 11:41:06 PM »
i was kinda questioning the idea of a dist. pedal with a high gain amp!

any other reccommendations for the same prcie range? im stumped  :?

hamfist

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #20 on: October 06, 2007, 07:52:36 AM »
Quote from: moominking13
i was kinda questioning the idea of a dist. pedal with a high gain amp!

any other reccommendations for the same prcie range? im stumped  :?


Many, many folks run dist/OD pedals with all sorts of amps, whether high or low gain.  You can get a lot more flexibility that way.
  Also, are you aware of the volume level you need to play something like a GH50 at, before it will start to sound really good ?
  One benefit of keeping your base amp tone pretty clean and getting dist from pedals is that it generally sounds pretty good at any volume.

  You really need to think about what levels of drive you are going to need.  If all you play is fairly full on distortion, then using the drive from a single channel highish gain amp (like the GH50L) will do you fine. If you enjoy different flavours and levels of distortions then a clean amp tone with pedals will suit you very well.

  But remember - there are several ways to get great tone. Anyone who tells you otherwise is, unfortunately, wrong.
  The problem for the relatively inexperienced is that there are so many choices out there, it is difficult to know where to start sometimes.

   For a relatively low-budget clean amp/pedals rig, the Fender HOt rod series of amps are quite popular. ALthough any amp that can give a nice clean tone, up to a good volume without breaking up too much would probably be fine. Even the GH50L may be able to do it. I've not played one, but I have heard that it has a nice clean tone.

  OK moominking, what is your budget for amp (+pedals). I'm sure a load of us would love to give you some suggestions.
  You said earlier about geting a GH50L and a 2x12 cab. New, thats going to run to £600. For that money, I'd seriously look at a Fender Hot rod deluxe or Blues Deluxe (IMO, the blues deluxe is better), plus some pedals. The Blackstars are great. Also consider an MI Audio crunch box (high gain pedal) and a Marshall guvnor pedal for low-mid gain more vintagy sounding OD. You would then have a killer clean tone, some great drive tones and it would be way more flexible than the Laney rig.
  it seems for the moment that you need to keep your options open, as you are a reasonably inexperienced guitarist and still searching for your tone.
  If you are not keen on a clean amp plus pedals rig, then also consider the Peavey Classic 30 or 50 amps. These are great budget tube amps, and pretty well made. The 30 has a good tone and plenty of drive itself, and could also take pedals well. It may not be loud enough, however, if you play really loud with a very loud drummer.
  The Marshall DSL50 is also a good lower budget amp. Two channels and pretty flexible in terms of being able to do modern and old-school  type sounds. they have been out of production for a few months while Marshall sort out regulation compliance issues but are due out again in Nov.
  Have you played a Vox AC30. They have a certain vibe you may love, although need to be played LOUD, to get the best out of their drive. They also take pedals awesomely. Can get LOUD as hell.

  There you go, just a few ideas for the weekend !

Alan

moominking13

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #21 on: October 06, 2007, 11:54:56 AM »
well its my birthday in a month or so so my budget would probaly be like 400 quid. thanks for all those ideas!

hamfist

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #22 on: October 06, 2007, 12:40:53 PM »
Quote from: moominking13
well its my birthday in a month or so so my budget would probaly be like 400 quid. thanks for all those ideas!


Right, that put's it all in perspective.

The Laney VC & LC30's are pretty good amps in that price range. You would be able to afford a pedal as well.
 The Peavey Valve King is also very useable.
It embarrasses me to suggest it (being the tone snob that I am) but you could have a look at the Line6 Flextone III combos. I've heard they are pretty good, for what they are.
  Or there's the "used" route. You can get bargains, but you can also buy "dogs". It's up to you, if you want to take the risk. I guess a lot depends on if you have any friends who are able to troubleshoot problems and mend amps, if need be.

 Basically, when buying amps, I would suggest trying everything you can get your hands on. Most, you will dislike. Some, you will bond with. Just remember that most tube amps need to be played at a good volume to get the best out of them. If you do buy an amp, if at all possible try and get it on approval. Amp's always seem to sound different in a shop compared to when I get them home, or use them in a band rehearsal.
   THere are loads of retailers you can buy amps from online, who offer a "no questions asked" 7 days return policy. I recommend that you use them if you aim to buy new.
  Unfortunately, many folks end up spend a lot of money going through a lot of gear until they find their "sound".  If you don't want to go that route, I strongly suggest you stop reading internet guitar forums !!!!!
  Good luck bud.

Alan

everton_fc

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #23 on: October 06, 2007, 01:13:45 PM »
Quote from: hamfist
Basically, when buying amps, I would suggest trying everything you can get your hands on.


Good advice there dude - I spent a whole afternoon in Denmark St. playing lots of varities of amps in various shops, went home, and got and got the amp I liked about £500 cheaper second hand on ebay. (amp head is around £1000 new - sod that!)

On the pedal side of things, I found there is no need to buy pedals just for the sake of buying pedals, but I guess it's subjective to the user - some guitarists have LOADS of pedals, some have none. Personally I prefer the later, or maybe a wah/boost thrown in depending on which rig i'm using/venue.

gwEm

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Pedals, which to begin with?
« Reply #24 on: October 06, 2007, 02:35:35 PM »
Quote from: Roobubba
Quote from: gwEm


you dont necessarily need any pedals at all, except maybe a tuner


What's wrong with a tuning fork???


cool at home i guess... but imagine you're in a noisy club, about to play your set. your guitar has gone slightly out of tune due to the heat/moisture. you dont want to be finding a quiet place to use a tuning fork ;)
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