Are pedals worthwhile? - One bad apple...

bachle7 · #1 05-31-2001, 08:37 PM

Okay, this may sound stupid, but I have never used a pedal because a friend had a Zoom505 and it filtered out my harmonics and the beautiful sound of my guitar/amp. *It sounded like I was playing through an 8 ohm speaker.

But I have read a little about single-purpose boxes here in the forum and I'm thinking, "Are they worth checking out?" *I'm particular interested in a delay pedal. *Am I a moron for having never used a pedal in my 12 years of playing? :doh:

Vaibanez · #2 05-31-2001, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Quote: from bachle7 on 7:37 pm on May 31, 2001
Okay, this may sound stupid, but I have never used a pedal because a friend had a Zoom505 and it filtered out my harmonics and the beautiful sound of my guitar/amp. *It sounded like I was playing through an 8 ohm speaker.

:glare:

Quote:

But I have read a little about single-purpose boxes here in the forum and I'm thinking, "Are they worth checking out?" *I'm particular interested in a delay pedal. *Am I a moron for having never used a pedal in my 12 years of playing? :doh:

Not at all. You are like many I have heard and jammed with. These people feel the sound of a guitar and amp only is what it's all about. Check Ted Nugents early stuff. Just his guitar and amp.

But, if you're looking to get into the pedal effects rat race, start with Boss/Roland. Their pedals and floor effects units are the best value as far as quality and sound.

J>

chromeboy · #3 05-31-2001, 10:00 PM

You can end up spending tons of $$$$ on effects. I have at least 4 pedals collecting dust, I prefer to use the effects on the amp.

Before commiting and purchasing, spend quality time at a music store and make sure it's something you love it and will really use it. The worst thing in the world is to spend a $100 on an effect and get bored with it in a matter of a couple hours.

Just my $.02

tomizm · #4 05-31-2001, 10:06 PM

What does an 8 ohm speaker sound like compared to a 4 *or 16? *I never thought there was a difference.

Two hands31 · #5 05-31-2001, 10:26 PM

I'd recommend the Korg AX-1G for very primitive sampling of effects, but not too bad tone. *Other then that I'm no help.

carlos seo · #6 05-31-2001, 10:56 PM

I've always played through the "guitar-->stompboxes-->amp" setup and I have no complaints about it. Of course, I've spent a considerable amount of money, but I'm happy with my pedalboard and tone. And the effects, in my opinion, are just to give you an extra shot when you really needs to. I always say: tone is in the fingers and the FX are just a little amount of spice you can add to it.

Oh, and I think that digital FX units sound too artificial for me. Vintage pedals are much better... but a lot more expansive.

bachle7 · #7 06-01-2001, 12:16 AM

Thank you all for the responses. *Good, maybe I haven't been missing out on anything. *I think I will check out some Boss pedals in the store.

Oh, the 8 ohm speakers that I was referring to are the kind they put in $5 clock radios. *Trying to be funny. *:innocent:

jay ratkowski · #8 06-01-2001, 12:21 AM

As far as distortion pedals go... I usually feel that once you need one of those, it's time for a new amp. *I'm not a fan of pedals. *I use a volume pedal, a wah and a MXR flanger... but I usually just go guitar and amp. *There are good pedals out there, but they are pricey.

Skaught · #9 06-01-2001, 02:41 AM

I use a distortion pedal, that is to say I use it during my playing. Now I don't, however, use it for rhythm distortion. I believe that distortion should be mainly handled by the amp. Why? Hehe because it just sounds better. I have my gain set at approximately 2-3 o'clock which is just right for my high output pickups. I can get a very heavy yet articulate sound with this setting. However, for leads it falls short. I use a BOSS DS-1 when I'm doing leads, it adds sustain and tone but I don't dare strike a chord with it on (mud).

This is my setup, and I expect it to be no where near yours hehe. If you like the guitar-->amp sound then go with it, it's a good way to go

Mr Orange · #10 06-01-2001, 02:46 AM

I agree with Jay.
Your amp has to deliver the juice.
However, when you're playing an Official Big Rock Show with an Official Big Rock Drummer you might wanna use a volume boost to make your solos audible. That's of course if you don't have a 3-channel amp or a 'solo' function like on those newer Boogies.

Josh Blagg · #11 06-01-2001, 03:38 AM

I disagree completely. *Running certain pedals in front of your overdriven amp can give it a much better character of a distortion in some cases. *Changing the input wave gives the amp a different input to work with, and if you set it up right, you can come up with tons of different and useful distortion sounds. *That is not to say it can be totally destructive for your tone, but the way to think of it is using a distortion pedal to better your amp distortion, not using it AS a sole distortion.

track7 · #12 06-01-2001, 08:02 AM

Hey, my advice would be to either go for pedals OR if you can afford it a top of the line pre-amp processor.

I started buying stompboxes, but was never happy, and was buying and selling them all the time much to great expense.

So what i did was save up lots and lots and bought the digitech 2120 pre-amp/processor. The distortions sound gorgeous (solidstate and the tubes) and there is every effect imaginable under the sun on it.

I have had that over 2 years now and havn't purchased a single effect unit of stompbox since. 8-)

Oh except my BAD HORSIE, cause the only thing bad about the 2120 is the wah. Does anyone else think that the wah sucks?

Anyway

latter

track7

jay ratkowski · #13 06-01-2001, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Quote: from track7 on 6:02 am on June 1, 2001
Does anyone else think that the wah sucks?

Which wah, the Bad Horsie? *:biggrin:

Anyways... Track has a great point... and it is a lesson most effects nuts eventually learn the hard way (myself included). *So many people go through stomp boxes and low-end multi-effects processors... constantly recycling units and endlessly buying and selling these cheaper pieces of gear trying to find something they can be happy with for a long period of time. *After a good years time, you end up going through so much gear, that you could've just saved up for something really good like a nice TC unit for your rack. *Beware of effects GAS, it is bitter like rotten eggs and tends to linger far longer than you'd like.

jeff l · #14 06-01-2001, 03:50 PM

I agree with Josh. I have a bag full of effects pedals that fill the bill nicely when I'm going after a certain tone. I'm not looking for a be-all and end-all piece of equipment because for me that elusive piece just doesn't exist.

* *Why doesn't it exist? Because my moods and taste in tones change on a regular basis. If I have plenty of toys around I have a nice selection of tones from which to choose. *Also, just because you like to get a nice clean-boost from an overdrive pedal doesn't mean it's time to look for a new amp. I prefer the sound of an SD-1/ Marshall combination over the sound of, say, a Dual Rectifier.

* * *Of course, sometimes I just like to plug straight-in and get a "pure" tone. I try not to limit myself to one ideology or another.

**jemsite** · #15 06-01-2001, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Are pedals worthwhile?

Heck yah. Why do you think every pro gigs out with them (from the largest stadium tour the the dingiest bar with a dozen patrons.

Quote:

But I have read a little about single-purpose boxes here in the forum and I'm thinking, "Are they worth checking out?" *I'm particular interested in a delay pedal. *Am I a moron for having never used a pedal in my 12 years of playing?

I would never buy/use those myself, since often they are clumsy to use and lacking in simplicity of use. Your mileage may vary however

...glen