Best DISTORTION/OVERDRIVE/ FUZZ Pedals
It’s difficult to narrow down a list of guitar effects pedals but if I were to choose it would have to be made up of the selection below!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
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Electro Harmonix Big Muff PI USA
Distortion/fuzz
Sounds à la Jimi Hendrix, Santana and Pink Floyd
True bypass
Long, creamy sustain
Fat fuzz sound
Unobtrusive treble
Transparent bass
Power supply with 9 V battery or 9 V DC power supply
Keeley Super AT Mod LTD
Overdrive
Overdrive, distortion, boost
Limited to 2.000 pieces
Developed in cooperation with Andy Timmons
Based on the legendary Blues Driver modified by Keeley
Two different tone modes: AT mode (Andy Timmons) is ideal for humbuckers thanks to its tight, transparent response and the original Keeley PHAT mode provides more power for single coils
True bypass
Controls for level, tone, drive
Toggle switch for switching between AT and PHAT
Power supply via 9V DC power
Proco RAT 2
Distortion
Legendary distortion pedal
Used on thousands of recordings in the last three decades
Very versatile as a distortion for arena-rock rhythm tones and soaring leads, as a crunch channel for loud amps, or as a boost for solos, and you can still maintain your amplifier's sound at the same time
Controls: distortion - filter - volume
LED: effect on
Footswitch: effects bypass
Power supply via 9 V battery or a DC power supply
Best MODULATION Pedals
If you like beautiful lush sounding guitar tones then try out a modulation pedal!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
MXR Phase 90
Phaser
Effects UnitThe Vintage Phaser effect, just like the MXR back in the day. There is, of course, only one control with which the speed of the phasing can be adjusted, everything else is set in order to achieve a really pleasant, never too intrusive-sounding effect. The classic phasing sounds of the 70's were often created with this piece of equipment. This is how Eddie Van Halen "spiced up" his legendary Lead sound, especially on the early records. This can clearly be heard in his parade solo on "eruption".
Rugged metal casing
Non-slip rubber base
Phaser with "Speed control"
Power supply: 9V battery or optional power supply available
BOSS CE-2W
Chorus
Chorus and vibrato of the legendary CE-1 and CE-2 in stereo quality
Control knobs for Rate and Depth
3 Modes: Standard, CE-1 Chorus, CE-1 Vibrato
Analogue components with bucket brigade device (BBD)
Operation with 9 V battery or 9 V power supply unit
Dimensions (W x H x D): 73 x 59 x 129 mm
Weight (including battery): 450 g
Made in Japan
tc electronic SCF GOLD
Stereo Chorus + Flanger
New edition of the TC SCF Stereo Chorus / Flanger pedal
Fully analogue BBD circuit
3 Modulation modes: Chorus, Flange & Pitch
Analogue pre-amp
Controls: Speed, Width, Intensity, Input Gain
Switch: Modulation Mode - Chorus, Flange, Pitch
LED: Effect on, Overload
Footswitch: Effect bypass
Power supply via 9 V DC mains adapter
Best DELAY Pedals
Whether you want to create complex rhythmic guitar parts, add a touch of slap back, make your lead guitar soar or just bathe in an ambient wall of noise then you might want to look at picking up a Delay pedal!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
Carbon Copy Deluxe
Delay
Analogue delay
Max. delay time: 1.2 Seconds
Sound of the original carbon copy and the bright version in one pedal
Adjustable delay time modulation
Tap tempo function
Tap tempo subdivisions
2 Programmable presets
True bypass
Mix, rain, delay, speed and width controls
Bright control button to activate the bright mode
Tap div control button to select the tap tempo subdivision (dotted 8th notes, triplets, and sixteenths)
Mod control to enable delay time modulation
Internal line level/ instrument level DIP switch
Internal control for guitar/ line level input
Internal dry kill switch for "wet only" output
Tap beat foot switch
Tap division LED
tc electronic Flashback 2 Delay
Delay
The new TC MASH technology turns the foot switch into a pressure-sensitive expression controller
New Ethereal Delay algorithm
For mono use, the stereo input can be used as a Tap Tempo input for an external foot switch
TonePrint-enabled: Load Signature Tones into the pedal with the free TonePrint app or create your own delay effects with the free TonePrint Editor
Controller: Delay feedback level mode
Switch: Subdivision
Foot Switch: Bypass / Pressure Expression
True Bypass
Connections: Mono / Stereo Input: 2x 6.3 mm jack - Mono / Stereo
Output: 2x 6.3 mm jack
9 V DC power supply connection (coaxial connector 5.5 x 2.1 mm - minus pole inside)
Keeley Halo Andy Timmons Dual Echo
Delay
Andy Timmons signature pedal
True stereo delay / echo
2 Separate delay sections (A / B)
1500 ms max. delay time for each section
5 Selectable delay rhythm modes: Quarter Note / Dotted Eighth / Halo / Bucket Brigade (BBD) / Multi-Tap Tape Delay
8 Factory presets with new delay and modulation sounds: 4 banks of 2 presets each - Andy Timmons signature 'Halo' sound stored as preset
DREAM multi-core DSP for pristine sound quality
Saturate control gives the signal a tape-like saturation and texture
High pass filter for adjustable bass cut from 0 - 300 Hz
Tone control for the effect signal
Soft Stomp footswitch for tap tempo, infinite hold, preset control and more
Onboard and remote tap tempo possible
Infinite Hold with maximum feedback
Remote switching and programmable expression pedal control
Intuitive alt controls provide full access to additional effect parameters
Controls for Time/HPF, Level/Saturate, Rate/Tone, Depth/Rhythm, Feedback
Best WAH Pedals
There is room on every guitarist’s pedalboard for a wah pedal. Whether you want to channel your inner Jimi Hendrix and create much more vocal-sounding solos or simply add a bit more funk to your rhythm chops then a wah pedal is a must!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
HoTone Soul Press II
WAH/Volume/Expression
Soul Press II is a next-gen product in the Hotone Press series pedal line. It's new-designed upgrade is based on the popular concepts of both the Soul Press and Vow Press. It integrates up to four function modes (volume, wah, volume/wah, expression), taking playability to new heights. The pedal position indicator shows the pedal position in real time. The TONE mode selection and Q value adjustment represent an absolute improvement in tone and functionality. Multiple I/O options provide more diverse access. The reimagined pedal size maintains portability while delivering an optimal ergonomic experience. Soul Press II is a truly versatile wah pedal.
Dunlop Cry Baby Mini 535Q (auto Return)
WAH
With just four controls, you can radically alter your instrument's voice with quick and easy adjustments to match the sound and vibe of the rest of your setup. First, the Range Selector allows you to choose from our four most popular sweep ranges, from warm and vintage-inspired to modern and aggressive. Next, the Q control allows you to shape the response of the wah effect from a narrow bandpass that emphasizes higher end harmonics to a wide bandpass that emphasizes lower end harmonics. Finally, the Volume knob and Boost switch allow you to bump your Cry Baby signal straight to the front of the mix when it's time for that bangin' solo. A convenient LED lets you know whether or not the boost is engaged.
With auto-return switching, adding some of that magical Cry Baby expression wherever you need it is just a matter of pushing down on the toe of the pedal to engage the effect and backing off to disengage it. Just step in, electrify your audience, and step out while you give them some time to collect themselves.
Like the CBM535Q, this pedal comes in at half the size of a standard Cry Baby Wah, and on the inside, it sports the legendary red Fasel® Inductor. If you want to save space while retaining ultimate control over your Cry Baby Wah sound, this pedal belongs on your pedalboard.
Vox VX V847A Wah
WAH
Based on the specifications of the original pedal developed by VOX in the ’60s, the new Wah-Wah offers guitarists the same legendary tone with the addition of AC power capability and a buffered input jack for preserving the unprocessed guitar tone when the pedal is not engaged. The pedal’s inductor has undergone a redesign to be closer in specification to the original VOX wah inductors, for improved dynamics and tone. These additions will benefit players of all genres who use a wah pedal as an integral part of their sound.
Best REVERB Pedals
Is the Reverb built into your amp not quite cutting it? grab yourself a dedicated REVERB pedal and explore the world of reverbs with complete control!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
tc Electronic Hall of Fame 2
REVERB
Iconic reverb pedal returns better than ever with an innovative pressure-sensitive footswitch and an added shimmer effect
Groundbreaking MASH technology turns footswitch into a pressure-responsive expression controller
New shimmer reverb algorithm pitches your reverb up an octave through each feedback loop to give an other-worldly sound
Next-generation reverb algorithms give you phenomenal-sounding realistic reverb tones
TonePrint-enabled to let you beam cool signature tones into your pedal with the free TonePrint App
MXR M300 REVERB
REVERB
The Reverb delivers six distinct exquisitely crafted reverb styles, a hi-fi analog dry path with a massive 20 volts of headroom, and numerous other features to tailor your reverb sound.
Digital reverb with 6 modes
Controller for Tone, Decay and Mix
Bypass foot-switch
Internal Mono-stereo switch
True Bypass and optional Trails bypass
Status LED
3 Bi-colour LEDs for display mode
100% Analog Dry Path
Strymon BigSky
REVERB
Hand crafted, studio-class reverb algorithms deliver lush, gorgeous, and musically inspiring reverb experiences
Twelve reverb machines to choose from: Room, Hall, Plate, Spring, Swell, Bloom, Cloud, Chorale, Shimmer, Magneto, Nonlinear, Reflections
Seven front-panel tone shaping knobs: Decay, Pre-Delay, Mix, Tone, Mod, Param 1, Param 2 (Param knobs assignable per preset)
Additional menu parameters allow for easy customization of reverb sounds
300 easily accessible and namable presets
Press-and-hold Infinite Sustain and Freeze functions, saveable per preset
Spillover and Reverb Persist modes, saveable per preset
Selectable Speaker Cabinet emulation for direct-to-PA gigs or recording applications
Best COMPRESSOR Pedals
Essentially a Compressor makes the quiet stuff louder and the louder stuff quieter leaving you with incredibly even playing dynamics perfect for Funk guitar or perhaps a bit of Telecaster fuelled chicken pickin! as a bonus this also tends to add a lot of sustain to your playing which can help your guitar solos soar to new heights!
Here are my Top Recommendations!
Keeley Compressor Plus
COMPRESSOR
The Keeley Compressor Plus is a compressor with an expander/sustainer. Not only does it act as a regular compressor, limiting the peaks in your playing, it adds more and more gain as notes fade out. Now you have sustain. Nothing worse than a note or a bend that has died before its time. The Keeley Compressor Plus adds just the right amount of sustain and expressive bloom to your notes.
The new Release Switch on the Keeley Compressor Plus is designed to make it very easy to transition between single coil and humbucker guitars. Humbuckers have more average energy than single coils which can cause compressors to stay in “compression mode” for a lot longer. When this happens, any series of notes you play will sound dull. With the quick release of the new Compressor Plus, your humbuckers remain true sounding, and each note retains dynamic attack and definition.
BOSS CS-3
COMPRESSOR
Without deteriorating the original sound, the BOSS Compressor / Sustainer does his work unobtrusively but effectively (exactly what you would want from a good compressor). Peak levels are limited while the quiet passages are raised, serving the assertiveness (especially clean tones), and generating a more balanced sound. At extreme settings, a significant extension of the sustain is possible - suitable if you want to play a solo with cleaner amplifier setting. The CS-3 is versatile adjustable, noteworthy is the tone control that can compensate for a loss of height with heavy compression.
MXR Dyna Comp
COMPRESSOR
For all types of devices there are some classics which are used repeatedly over decades and over the time reach genuine cult status. When it comes to compressors for guitar and bass, one effect is necessary to be mentioned, and that is clearly the MXR Dynacomp. As often as this device has been used in professional and already legendary recordings, it is actually unnecessary to say more.
Remarkable is that the Dynacomp only needs two knobs! The sensitivity knob is used to set the compression threshold, the final volume is then determined with the output knob. And attack, ratio, release, etc.? The knobs that in other cases take the user hours of puzzling and trying? The MXR Dynacomp simply does not need more knobs, because everything is set so guitars and basses sound compact and crisp. Of course you can also extend the sustain significantly with more extreme settings; what else do you need?
Best MULTI-EFFECTS (floor modeler) Pedals
These are more than just simply multi-fx pedals, these are a complete replacement for your heavy tube amps and effects pedals! Many guitarists are now jumping ship to join the digital revolution and why? because they take up no room are completely customizable and have now got to the stage in which you cant tell the difference between a traditional rig and a completely digital one! (They sound great)
Here are my Top Recommendations!
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
MULTI-EFFECT
The most powerful floor modeler on the planet
Want to run four amplifier models, stereo reverbs, and a plethora of other effects simultaneously? Quad Cortex won’t even break a sweat.
Quad Cortex is the most powerful floor modeler on the planet. With a total of 6 cores (4x SHARC+ and 2x ARM Cortex-A5 running at 500MHz each), this ludicrous amount of processing capacity provides limitless sound design possibilities.
Capture, share and download your favorite rigs’ sounds. Equipped with our unique biomimetic AI technology, Quad Cortex can learn and replicate the sonic characteristics of any physical amplifier, overdrive, and cabinet with unprecedented accuracy.
KEMPER Profiler STAGE
MULTI-EFFECT
The Kemper profiling technique allows the creation of a very precise sonic image (profile) of an existing amplifier configuration (including cabinet and microphone pickup).
Thanks to the many internal processing options such as various ground effect emulations (up to 4 at a time), master effects, equaliser, gain, amp definition, power sagging etc., the sound created can then be processed far beyond the possibilities of the original amplifier. However, the Kemper Profiling Amplifier is also already delivered with a large number of outstanding amplifier profiles, which is why it is not absolutely necessary to create your own profiles. This makes it possible from the first time to exactly reproduce the sound of your own amplifier, to modify it (if desired) and to have it available for practising, in the studio or on stage without a lot of lugging around.
LINE 6 HELIX LT
MULTI-EFFECT
Next generation of Dual DSP-based HX Modeling Engine with 4 discrete stereo signal paths
50 Guitar amplifiers
12 Bass amplifiers
37 Cabs
16 Microphones
104 Effects
Imports IRs (impulse responses) up to 1024/2048 sample lengths
12 touch-sensitive foot switches
Pedal Edit Mode for freehand editing
Near-instant footswitch and controller assignment
Up to 2 expression pedals
Wide MIDI control
Extensive inputs and outputs for the seamless integration of an entire rig
8 In / Out USB audio interface
Best LOOPER Pedals
A loop pedal is one of the most fun pedals you can own.
It can be used to lay down chords to practice improvising over quickly, layer multiple intricate guitar parts to create a massive wall of sound, or quickly try out sections of music/riffs when songwriting.
Here are my Top Recommendations!
BOSS RC-600 Loop Station
LOOPER
A Floor-Based Looper Like No Other
Meet the RC-600, the most advanced looper on the planet. Loaded with evolved features and customizable functions, this next-generation Loop Station ushers in a new era of creative power for guitarists, singer/songwriters, multi-instrumentalists, and other looping musicians. Capture multiple mics and instruments with six stereo tracks and premium 32-bit sound, and take full command with nine freely assignable footswitches and deep external control support. And that’s just the start—you can also color loops with a massive FX selection, groove with onboard rhythms, route audio as you like to the three stereo outputs, integrate with computer software via USB, and much more.
DITTO X4 LOOPER
LOOPER
Simple and Intuitive Dual-Track Guitar Looper Pedal with Powerful Loop Effects
Even though DITTO X4 LOOPER basically offers endless creative possibilities, it still honors the core principle of our famed Ditto Looper. Simplicity! No drum-machines, no deep-editing menus or other time consuming tech-nonsense, only immediate unfiltered fun. So all you have to think about is - What will you create today?
BOSS RC-5
LOOPER
Your Essential Creative Companion
Step up to the RC-5 and prime your pedalboard with maximum looping range. Capture sound with premium 32-bit quality, navigate parameters and monitor loop status with the backlit LCD, and tap into expanded operation via the control jack and TRS MIDI I/O. And with over 50 rhythms, 13 hours of stereo recording, 99 phrase memories, and more, the compact RC-5 puts a deep well of musical power at your feet.
For any effect pedal to sound it’s best you will need to plug in to a great amp that can handle effects pedals well! here are the most popular tube amps for guitarists!