Starting out with Effects - Guitars101

Drak_nyen · 02-14-2005, 05:14 AM

Hi All,

As my cheap little 15 watt Peavey Amp has no effects on it, I am looking to buy an effects peddle or 2 to try and make my dull flat guitar noise sound better.
I have the Digitech Grunge distortion pedal which is ok but really ONLY for serious fuzzy distortion for death metal & thrash.

My other influences is bluesy stuff like Gary Moore.

What would people suggest as some good effects to get to make a nicer guitar sound?

Drak_nyen · 02-15-2005, 01:42 AM

I have a couple of auctions I am bidding on with Ebay for a couple of multieffects type units & wondered what peoples views on them were as for a beginner.

One is the Boss ROD-10 & the other is the DOD FX7.

What are peoples views on these or should I set my sights for something like the Digitech RP100 till I find the sound I want and get seperate pedals.

mab8485 · 02-15-2005, 03:41 AM

Unfortunately for you, alot of distortions sound very similar through practise amps. My advice is to you is to save and buy a new amp first. Although, if you see some effects pedals going cheap at a pawn shop......

mab8485 · 02-15-2005, 03:43 AM

I just realised i didnt answer your question haha. A multi fx unit is a great way to start getting into effects. Like you said, it helps you decide what kind of pedals would be useful to you. Something like a zoom 505 II would be good to start with. You can get them new really cheaply.

Drak_nyen · 02-15-2005, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mab8485

I just realised i didnt answer your question haha. A multi fx unit is a great way to start getting into effects. Like you said, it helps you decide what kind of pedals would be useful to you. Something like a zoom 505 II would be good to start with. You can get them new really cheaply.

hahahaha thats ok mate I knew what you were trying to say with your comment.

I can get the Zoom 505 & the Digitech RP50 for about the same price.
On a straight head-to-head which one would people recommend????

Drak_nyen · 02-15-2005, 06:41 AM

Being a complete Noob at effects, does anyone know any decent websites that have an explanation of what the effects are and how they affect the guitars tone and with some sample sound files to show the different effects.

I have found some sound files on manufacturers websites for their specific pedals but I dont know if its just the pedal on its own or if they are adding any other effects to make it sound better.

Drak_nyen · 02-15-2005, 03:44 AM

What would people recommend as a good 30-60watt amp for home playing with a good range of built in effects.

Music style: blues/rock/metal/satch/Vai

GuitarsAndTacos · 02-18-2005, 09:44 PM

If you're looking at a cheap but nice multi-FX pedal, I would say definately go with the RP50, or if you're willing to spend an extra 50 bucks the RP100. The RP100 was the first FX pedal I got and I still use it. There are also some patches to try out at the digitech web site.

Drak_nyen · 02-21-2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarsAndTacos

If you're looking at a cheap but nice multi-FX pedal, I would say definately go with the RP50, or if you're willing to spend an extra 50 bucks the RP100. The RP100 was the first FX pedal I got and I still use it. There are also some patches to try out at the digitech web site.

I have been looking at the RP100 and quite like the look of it.

I am also trolling through ebay trying to get some bargain pedals but not major luck so far on a really cheap good deal. When I have a little more disposable cash I will buy some of the decent Boss & Marshall pedals.

Thinking of getting the Digitech Bad Monkey & Digitech Screaming Blues to tie me over till I can get something better.

outrider2k · 02-21-2005, 07:12 AM

thanks for everyones input here. It looks like the general consencus is to head to a music store. I will have to wait til I have some time to get to Guitar Center. My local music stores charge way too much for everything and I hate having to haggle every time I go in there. I guess Im leaning towards the Boss CS-3 but I will take everyones advice and try out a bunch of compressors.

til next time-outrider

**stingx** · 02-21-2005, 07:20 AM

If you are just playing at home, forget buying another amp. Get a Pod, PodXT, V-AMP2 or other amp modeller. You will have plenty of sounds at your fingertips. I prefer the XT and the GT-8 myself but if $$$ is a factor you can grab a V-AMP2 on the cheap for under 100 bucks or spend double that and get a old Pod.

**nroberts** · 02-23-2005, 09:28 PM

I really think effects can be bad for the player, especially beginners. Too many times have I heard these fancy effects boxes with all the effects turned way the hell up to mask poor playing. They even mask GOOD playing pretty effectively!

Really effects in all are overrated imho. It can be fun to play with a delay pedal, a chorus can add if used /lightly/, and that is about it. Distortion usually comes included in the amp...the only other thing you might think about is a whah.

Just get a nice tube amp...no need for the silly effects units.

trey85stang · 02-23-2005, 09:16 PM

you have a lot of opinions.. so I will give you mine...

As stated before.. get a better amp as soon as you can, practice amp is just that.. something to make sound while you play in the beadroom, office, living room etc... As for the effects pedals.. get an effects processor stick with one processor and ditch the use of 2+ differnt pedals.. if you are on a tight budget a good (cheap) first effects pedal is the DOD RP series, the RP50 can be had for about $50 new. You can use this to decide what kind of effects you want and will need or if you even want effects at all.

As you cash pile grows I recommend looking into rackmount equipment.. the best effects processor I ever owned was a digitech 2112, they can still be had for about $200-400 and most only need two new tubes to be awesome effects processors again

ymmv