BUILDING YOUR PEDALBOARD: GUITAR PEDALS EVERY GUITARIST NEEDS

EVERY GUITARIST HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE STYLE AND PREFERENCES, SO IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE ESSENTIAL PEDALS THAT EVERY GUITARIST NEEDS.

If you are a beginner it is best to try the cheaper or used pedals. Guitar pedals like all audio and musical equipment can get expensive quickly! You can always sell what you no longer use either online or in a local shop so it is not a total loss if you dislike something.

Behringer makes inexpensive and good-sounding pedals that are suitable for beginners. Boss makes a pedal for everything and some multi-effects units but can be pricey. The best way to know what is suitable for you is to try it out.

It may be helpful to try to narrow down your options by doing some research online or asking another musician what they prefer.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME STAPLES THAT ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED MUST-HAVES WHEN BUILDING A PEDALBOARD:

A good starting point is a tuner pedal, so you can stay in tune throughout your performance. Tuner pedals are designed to detect the note of your strings, helping you adjust your strings to the correct tuning. It can be a great help if you don’t have perfect pitch or if you’re playing in a noisy environment. Look for a tuner pedal that can easily detect the note of each string, has accurate tuning, and is easy to use. Here are two to try :

BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner: The BOSS TU-3 is one of the most popular tuner pedals for guitarists. It is easy to use, accurate, and durable, and it can be used with both electric and acoustic guitars.

Korg Pitchblack: The Korg Pitchblack is an excellent choice for musicians looking for a compact, affordable tuner pedal. It offers highly accurate tuning performance, with a wide tuning range from A0 to C8 and an easy-to-read LED display. The sturdy and durable aluminum die-cast body helps ensure reliable performance, while the true bypass circuitry ensures no tone coloration. Additionally, the Korg Pitchblack is also battery-powered, making it a great option for on-the-go musicians.

An overdrive/distortion pedal is an electronic device designed to generate a distorted sound from a guitar or other instrument. It works by overdriving the signal from the instrument and adding various distortion effects, such as fuzz, sustain, and overdrive. This can create a wide range of sounds, from warm and crunchy to heavy and extreme. The distortion pedal is a popular choice for many types of music, including rock, blues, and metal. Ones to try first:

Boss DS-1: This is a classic distortion pedal that’s been around for decades. It’s affordable and has a wide range of distortion tones to choose from.

Electro-Harmonix Soul Food: This overdrive pedal is known for its transparent tone, making it a great choice for beginners who want to preserve the sound of their guitar.

MXR M104 Distortion+: This pedal is simple and easy to use, with just two knobs for controlling the amount of distortion and output level.

Ibanez Tube Screamer: This is another classic overdrive pedal that’s been used by countless guitarists over the years. It’s versatile and can be used for anything from blues to hard rock.

A guitar delay pedal is a type of effects pedal that provides a delay in the sound of a guitar.

It can be used for a variety of sounds, from a subtle slap-back echo to extreme, multi-layered delays. The pedal creates an echo of the sound that is produced when a note is played on the guitar.

It can be adjusted to create a long or short delay depending on the desired effect. Delay pedals are popular among both amateur and professional guitar players and can be used in a wide range of musical styles. Ones to try:

Donner Yellow Fall Delay: This is a compact and affordable pedal that is great for beginners. It has a simple three-knob layout that makes it easy to dial in the right delay sound. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

TC Electronic Flashback Mini: This is another compact pedal that is great for beginners. It has a simple one-knob design that allows you to choose from a variety of delay types. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

Behringer VD400 Vintage Delay: This is a budget-friendly delay pedal that is a great option for beginners. It has a simple three-knob layout that makes it easy to dial in the right delay sound. It also has a vintage-inspired tone that is great for classic rock and blues. It can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

A reverb pedal is a type of guitar effects pedal used to create a sense of space, depth, and atmosphere. It is used to simulate the natural reverberation of sounds in a physical space such as a hall, cathedral, or cave.

Reverb pedals have various effects and settings, such as room size, decay time, and pre-delay, which allow guitarists to tailor their sound to their liking.

Reverb pedals are an essential part of any guitarist’s pedalboard, and are great for creating immersive soundscapes and adding dimension to your playing. Try these:

Donner Verb Square: This is a budget-friendly reverb pedal that is perfect for beginners. It has a simple three-knob design that makes it easy to dial in the right reverb sound. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini: This is another compact pedal that is great for beginners. It has a simple one-knob design that allows you to choose from a variety of reverb types. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

Mooer Shimverb: This is a versatile reverb pedal that is easy to use and is also budget-friendly. It has three different reverb modes, including room, spring, and shimmer, which creates a unique, ethereal effect. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

A compressor pedal is an essential tool for musicians who want to ensure their signal remains balanced and consistent.

This type of pedal helps to smooth out uneven dynamics, making it easier to achieve a consistent sound.

Compressors can also help to add sustain to notes and chords, leading to a thicker, more expansive tone. Finally, compressors are great for controlling the level of distortion when playing at higher volume levels, allowing you to keep the sound clean and clear. Ones to try:

Kokko Compressor: This is a budget-friendly compressor pedal that is perfect for beginners. It has a simple two-knob design that makes it easy to dial in the right compression level. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

Donner Ultimate Comp: This is another affordable compressor pedal that is great for beginners. It has a simple four-knob design that allows you to adjust the compression, volume, tone, and attack. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply.

MXR Dyna Comp: This is a classic compressor pedal that has been a favorite of guitarists for decades. It has a simple two-knob design that allows you to adjust the output and sensitivity. It also has a true bypass switch and can be powered by a 9V battery or a power supply. While it is more expensive than the other two options, it offers a more professional-grade performance.

If you want to get creative, you can also look into modulation pedals such as chorus, flanger, and phaser.

Every guitarist is unique and their pedalboard setup should be tailored to their individual style and preferences.

ULTIMATELY, THE PEDALS YOU CHOOSE WILL DEPEND ON WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC YOU PLAY AND THE SOUND YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE. YOU CAN ONLY FIGURE THIS OUT BY EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT PEDALS, SETTINGS, AND COMBINATIONS.

You can definitely take your guitar playing to the next level by adding some pedals and creating a unique and powerful tone that will stand out in any mix. You just need to take your time and go through the trial-and-error process.

Have fun!