Guitar Effects Pedals

Guitars are, in my opinion, the most versatile instruments on the planet. There are so many different ways to play them, and so many different kinds to choose from. Electric guitars in particular are extra versatile because you can match different guitars to different amps, and then add effects pedals.

Effects pedals are pedals that a guitarist can put between his amp and guitar using instrument cables. Generally, the pedals will have switches on them to either activate effects, or switch between different settings. Sometimes they will have a different mechanism to control the effect in real time. These effects alter the electric signal of the guitar, which alters the sound coming out of the amp.

These effects include distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo... the list goes on. Now at first, this may be confusing, but they can be organized based on what they do to the guitar sound. Later on, I will discuss each type of effect.

Guitarists use these effects to give their sound a certain character. With enough experience, you start to predict what the sound of a pedal will generally be before playing through it. For example, if you know a company is coming out with a new chorus pedal, and you know what type of sound that company generally goes for, and what a chorus pedal does, you can get an idea of what it may be like and if you want to try that pedal.

Pedals are often mass produced by companies like Boss, Electro- Harmonix, and Digitech. These are some of the biggest, but there are many more. Other smaller makers make each pedal by hand and try for very specific effects. These, of course do end up being more expensive. Examples of this type of pedal maker include Z.Vex and Analogman. These are called boutique pedals.

There are many options with these pedals, and there is a lot of fun to be had by using them. If you play electric guitar you really owe it to yourself to at least try a few. You may end up finding one you really like. You may end up finding lots that you really like. No matter what style of music you play, there are pedals out there suited to you.