"Go To" Pedal Recommendations

[hunter]

Any of the xotic pedal RC,AC,BB

Don't forget the EP

 

[nevusofota]

Phase 90 and a wa.

I've found that I am using my Phase 90 much more now that I've modded it. Could be considered a 'must-have' in its modded form, or just get the script version. (I wonder how similar my modded pedal is to the script version??)

The script are smoother sounding ..... I would be fine with any of them, any descent phase is fine. I use a Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe most of the time. I hear the Voodoo Lab wa is pretty amazing. I have been using a Cry Baby 535 for years. ..... but any decent wa well do.

These few pedals and a decent amp well do pretty much everything I need to do.

I have been using the Digitech Hyperphase and believe it is one of the best sounding phasers out there. You don't hear much talk about this one but it is a true sleeper pedal.

 

[IndyWS6]

I'm not surprised there aren't any fuzz recommendations, being that we are in an 80's forum. But, a Big Muff Pi of some kind is a must. I thought there would be more delays recommended too.

Anyway,

This1isMyne mini buffer - best $40 you'll ever spend. beat the Fryette valvulator off of my board
Ernie Ball VP Jr. 25K volume pedal - I say 25K because I use a buffer to get low Impedance, and the 25K doesn't cut the highs like the 250K volume pedal.
MXR Distortion III - what I use for OD, smooth boosting, stacking, light distortion, etc.
Barber Dirty Bomb - what I use for heavier distortion and leads
Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff - what I use for all of my fuzz needs from 90's alt rock to Gilmour leads.
Boss RV-3 Reverb/Delay- Tonally, Boss hasn't topped this one for reverb OR delay.
Digitech Chorus Factory - GREAT chorus. heavy duty. versatile. cheap.
Sonic Research Turbo Tuner - This changed my life.

Thanks for the input - much appreciated...

Help me understand what the buffer does and why I would use one. Where does it fit in the chain? If I'm using a GCX to provide the loops for the pedals, do I need a buffer?

Not to sound stupid, but can you list a few songs where a fuzz would be needed? I know this seems ridiculous, but I can't think of any song I would play where I would need a fuzz pedal. I'm probably thinking an OD or distortion pedal is in use when, possibly, it's a fuzz. Just don't have a lot of familiarity...

 

[JakeAC5253]

I'm not surprised there aren't any fuzz recommendations, being that we are in an 80's forum. But, a Big Muff Pi of some kind is a must. I thought there would be more delays recommended too.

Anyway,

This1isMyne mini buffer - best $40 you'll ever spend. beat the Fryette valvulator off of my board
Ernie Ball VP Jr. 25K volume pedal - I say 25K because I use a buffer to get low Impedance, and the 25K doesn't cut the highs like the 250K volume pedal.
MXR Distortion III - what I use for OD, smooth boosting, stacking, light distortion, etc.
Barber Dirty Bomb - what I use for heavier distortion and leads
Stomp Under Foot Civil War Muff - what I use for all of my fuzz needs from 90's alt rock to Gilmour leads.
Boss RV-3 Reverb/Delay- Tonally, Boss hasn't topped this one for reverb OR delay.
Digitech Chorus Factory - GREAT chorus. heavy duty. versatile. cheap.
Sonic Research Turbo Tuner - This changed my life.

A fellow lover of the Muff! My favorite version is the Ram's Head.

Everyone needs at least one muff in their life. If you don't, well you're just.... fiddling around.

 

[guitarslinger]

Thanks for the input - much appreciated...

Help me understand what the buffer does and why I would use one. Where does it fit in the chain? If I'm using a GCX to provide the loops for the pedals, do I need a buffer?

Not to sound stupid, but can you list a few songs where a fuzz would be needed? I know this seems ridiculous, but I can't think of any song I would play where I would need a fuzz pedal. I'm probably thinking an OD or distortion pedal is in use when, possibly, it's a fuzz. Just don't have a lot of familiarity...

Buffer takes a high impedance signal (passive gtr pickups), and turns it into a low impedance signal. This like taking the brakes off of a car. same car, only it keeps going. it preserves highs, and allows the guitar to preserve its original sound over long cable runs and through many, many pedals. FWIW, the GCX already has a buffer.

Fuzz is an interesting beast. For 17 years, I figured fuzz = fuzzy-sounding, AM Radio-sounding shite. Boy, was I wrong. Fuzz is the hugest, most awesome sounding distortion EVER.

stuff that NEEDS fuzz.

all Pink Floyd
all Smashing Pumpkins
Nevermind era Nirvana
Hendrix
some White Zombie
Eric Johnson
Dinosaur Jr.
Throwing Muses
The Toadies
Deftones
etc.


It's a MUST.

 

[IndyWS6]

Thanks for the explanation of the buffer. I thought the GCX had a built-in buffer (seems like some question the "quality", but that's a different topic...), so I should be good there. Plus, whatever pedals I go with will be on a shelf in my rack, with a GCP out front, so no long cable runs to speak of. Hell, in the shit-hole places I aspire to play, I'll be lucky to get 15 feet from the rack.

Your description of a fuzz pedal is EXACTLY how I hear them in my mind's ear. I guess I need to go play a couple and see what they are about.

 

[JakeAC5253]

My advice, don't judge the Muff's by the modern Muff version, it's got a VERY different tonality.

 

[hthomas]

nothing like a good Phase 90!

 

[Anonymous]

sansamp gt-2. will get your ass out of ANY jam on stage not if, but when your gear goes down.

and, in the rig itself, you can use it as a tonal boost for solos, a mute ( ), a feedbacker...

the list continues.

oh, and you can pass it off to the opening band as "i JUST got this, it sounds incredible, try it out for your soundcheck, i bet you'll love it over my whole rig!!!!..." so that guy you hate that's always tweaking your shit still feels important, yet isn't fucking with yo shit.



4 knobs
3 switches
and a lot of sounds that fool a lot of OTHER guitarists too.

either way, good luck with your quest!

 

[stephen sawall]

Fuzz is the sound of the gods ..... and just fun.

I listed my Voodoo Vibe and 535 wa above .... but the other one that gets used is my Zvex Fuzz Factory.

 

[IndyWS6]

I guess I'm going to have to try some fuzz pedals... I just always had the impression that they were only good for the crappy AM radio songs my mom used to play when I was getting ready for school ------ in the '70's

 

[rsm]

Another EH Big Muff Pi fan here. I still have my original black and red I purchased new in the 70s, but I'm using the Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker...I think they are about $80 new?

When I used rack gear, I didn't use any pedals (except a MIDI floor controller).

Pedals I have and dig now:

JangleBox (compressor, use it with my Vox Heritage amps only)
TC Electronic Nova Drive
Damage Control Glass Nexus
Damage Control Liquid Blues
Tech 21 Liverpool
TC Electronic Nova System
TC Electornic G-System (use the Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker and Nova Drive with it)

 

[9ball]

just about the only pedal i've had so far that i'd consider to be one that i'll always want to have in a cover band is my MXR 10 band EQ to use as a solo boost/gain boost.
other than that possibly a volume pedal if you use guitars with all of the same type of p/u's. i guess they need to be the same value as your pots for guitar volume - like for passives/actives.
and maybe a wah pedal.
i don't use pedals much.

 

[stephen sawall]

Another EH Big Muff Pi fan here. I still have my original black and red I purchased new in the 70s, but I'm using the Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker...I think they are about $80 new?

How close is it to the sound of your original ?

Anyone ..... what is the best Muff around ?

 

[JakeAC5253]

Anyone ..... what is the best Muff around ?

a wet muff.

 

[9ball]

Anyone ..... what is the best Muff around ?

a wet muff.

lol

 

[stephen sawall]

Anyone ..... what is the best Muff around ?

a wet muff.

Who makes the wet muff and what does it smell like ?

 

[9ball]

Anyone ..... what is the best Muff around ?

a wet muff.

Who makes the wet muff and what does it smell like ?

well i know i can make the muff wet sometimes, and that's a good point you brought up about the smell. sometimes it smells nice, and sometimes it doesn't. that's pretty much the key to knowing which muffs you want to get involved with, and which muffs you want to stay away from. the smell will tell you, and you'll know when it happens.
lol

 

[Anonymous]

I've found a trimmed Muff will help with access to those "high notes" in harder to reach places....
A bare Muff is really nice to look at AND play with!

IMHO, a bare Muff goes great with a shaved "neck". less resistance.

 

[RockNRun]

No nods for the "Boosta Grande"?? I've never sampled one in person but read that they're great for a non-coloring clean boost on the cheap, supposedly true bypass as well? A used one just showed up in a local shop, I can pick it up for next to nothing. Is there any significant difference between the older BBE logo'd box and the newer ones with the bull graphic? Thanks.

Otherwise, I've been a long time OD808 user, my go to, but I swear, the mid hump thing is finally beginning to wear on me, especially with my particular amps (thus the BBE questions).