Suggestions on purchasing FX - Effect pedals and rack units.

[gabrielsean]

(Note: This is continued from the previous message board. I received a few good replies. Lookin' for more input. This is almost like a poll, so please provide feedback. Thanks!)

Ok... beyond single and combined FX units...
Price: Would it be a "wiser" choice to just go out and
purchase a big pedal (lots of peds on it) with lots of FX
(and possible rack unit)... or just go for little pedals one
at a time?

"All at once" vs "One at a time"...
My stereo system, for example, is made up of several smaller units (receiver, CD, DVD, etc.). I know that's a better quality set-up than had I just gone out and bought one big stereo system (which usually lack in quality compared to the pieced-together ones). With that in mind, I have a hunch there might be contrast in this situation. Maybe I'd be better off to just go out and buy a big pedal system w/ rack and all. (?)

Another ?: What are your favorite pedals/fx-units?

Have a g'day!

[wyldbill]

You'll probably end up with both in the end. If your amp has an FX loop I'd suggest some sort of multi-unit in the loop. Use this for all you time based FX; Delay, Verb, Chorus, Tremelo, Phase, etc. You'll generally want to avoid FX that change the envelope (tone) of your signal in the loop (with the possible exception of EQ). These include Distortion Units, Wahs, and Envelope Filters (auto-wah). These are generally best in front of your preamp/amp in order to change the sound of your signal before the pre-amp puts it's sonic stamp on it. Compressors can go just about anywhere, and will affect the sound differently depending on where you put them. Same is generally true of EQ.

You may want to decide on how you want to affect your sound first. What's missing from your current setup? If you just a few things, like distortion and delay, go with pedals. If you want lots of different sounds available, the programmability of a multi unit may make sense. One advantage that newer multi units have is the ability to change the routing of the effect. This control is nice to have and if you like to sit and tweak, can enable some really weird stuff...

You also want to think about how the unit will work w/ your amp. What kind of amp do you have? Like the sound you get already? Have an FX loop? etc.

As far as favorite pedals/FX go:
Boss DS-1 (anyone in the forum NOT have one?)
Morley Bad Horsie Wah
Ibanez PC-10 Prime Dual Chorus
Boss VF-1 (can replace the preamp if yours isn't super)
TC G-Force
Roland DEP-5 (lusted after this until I found one used in '88. Mid '80s rack delay/verb/chorus. Classic Roland. Go for $100-$160 on ****)

Pedals I've had that I don't really use much
DOD Envelope filter
Korg Octave Pedal

You may want to find a shop w/ a patient sales person and good selection of gear. Take your guitar in on a weekday afternoon when nobody's there and play everything you can get your hands on.

FWIW,
-bill

[jeffrey]

Hey Sean.

Outside of crybaby's/wah's and maybe a mutron envolope, I prefer having everything rack based with a MIDI controller of some sort. Continuous Control is an addictive thing (being able to select and edit settings to programmed sounds you've made in real time).

As Bill mentioned the G-Force is an excellent unit, but it's kinda pricey; may be hard to afford for mere mortals like us (me). Hehe.

As an alternative, through recent research looking for a new unit myself, the Digitech 2120 provides similar funtionability with quite a few effects the G-Force doesn't offer for half the price.

Now, I wouldn't use the preamp section in this by itself, although it does work very nice as an overdrive.

You may want to hit a store and see if they have one you can play with. I was very skeptical of it at first, but after a few hours, pleasently surprised.

[alienx]

Hi,

I ended up with both...

I own a Rocktron Vooduvalve and a midimate, where I'm really amazed with the modulation effects, reverb and the delays. This unit is very versatile and high quality. The amp section sounds very convincing. I don't want to go back to heads or combos... no way.

But I also own
*Hughes & Kettner tubeman (the old one)
*Marshall Guv'nor 2
*Marshall Bluesbreaker 2
*Marshall Jackhammer
*Rocktron Black Jack
*Boss BD-2 Bluesdriver
*Boss RV-3 Digital Reverb
*Boss MT-2 Metalzone
*Dunlop Crybaby wah-wah

I don't cary them to all the gigs I play. From time to time I take a few with me and use them. Eventhough I could make the Vooduvalve sound like them I utilize them to achieve different combinations with the vooduvalve. I love those pedals too and try to experiment with them or try to improve my sound with them every when and then. I don't think about avoiding them totally.

That was my $.02

[dwswift]

I'm an owner of a G-Force. *I picked it up about a month ago for $800. *It is the most fantastic FX unit I've ever had the pleasure to use. *While I haven't had much time to get into some of it's more extensive features, It can do everything the 2120 can do and way more (minus nasty digital distortion). *

I have had extensive use with the digitech 2120, 2112, 2101, and Valve FX units. *I highly recommend staying away from these units unless money is really a big selling point. Even if money is tight, I'd still stay away from them and pick up some stompboxes.
*
I don't know anything about your income level, but a lot of people in the forum own multiple thousand dollar guitars. *IMO, investing in a rock solid & versitile FX unit such as the G-Force should really be a priority before picking up that 5th pointy guitar that really doesn't sound any different than the four you already have . *Of course, to each his own. *Some people are collectors or don't want that many FX.

Bottom line: If you want a rack fx unit and can affoard it. The G-Force will not disappoint.

[davenit]

dwswift, if you got a G-force for 800 you got one heck of a deal. I haven't seen one used for under 1100. Infact I hardly have seen them used.

From what I understand they are a killer unit. I am in the market for one. I have a h3000 and a Digi 33B for harmonizers, an ART alpha for Reverb and Delay just to name 3. I am looking to consolidate my Rack. I want the G and the 3000 to stay and get rid of the rest of the stuff.

If you know of another G around for 800 please let me know.... Thanks

Dave

gamma@neo.rr.com

[wyldbill]

Ummm... I paid $1K for my G (used), but it included the Artist Preset Card as well...

FWIW,
-bill