Step On Simplicity!

You’ve probably heard this from other people, but it bears repeating: we live in a golden age of guitar technology! Between the multiple options for high-quality instruments (from inexpensive to ridiculously expensive), amplifier modelling technology, quality tube and transistor amplifiers, and pedal builders building pedals galore, we have more choice!

However, like a kid in a candy store, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting one of everything and eventually end up with too much, especially when it comes to pedals. 

Also, while digital modellers have improved by leaps and bounds from the original, kidney-bean-shaped device that started it all (if you know, you know), offering versions of every pedal under the sun, option paralysis can hit hard.

Fear not, dear reader! Today, I plan to streamline the process of deciding what gadgets to use in your signal chain so that you can get great sounds with minimal fuss. 

Start With A Good Base

With a good guitar and good amp tone, everything else becomes easy. No pedal in the world will improve a lousy tone (especially if your pedalboard goes down in the heat of battle, forcing you to * gasp! * plug directly into your amp!)

Start with the best guitar and amp you can, preferably with a good clean channel that you push to the edge of breakup (think clean with a bit of distortion when you dig in). If you’re using a modeller, think of a Fender Deluxe or maybe a vintage Marshall (which was based on Fender Bassman amplifiers—fun fact!).

Now, for pedals. I’ll be describing the makings of what I believe are the essentials that will get you through most gigs. These are also presented in order as far as the signal chain goes, as a pedal will affect the sound of the next one. To build your first board, start with these and go from there! 

In a nutshell, the guitar into a tuner, dirt, boost, space, and amplifier.

No Ifs, Ands, Or Buts... You Need A Good Tuner

The one pedal guaranteed to make you sound good starts with a good quality tuner. It doesn’t matter how well you play if you're out of tune. While some modern tuners are equipped with true bypass switches, having one with a buffer makes for a strong start into your pedal board. As a bonus, most tuners will also mute your signal, making on-stage guitar changes quiet! My favourites include the TC Electronic Polytune (switchable between buffered and true-bypass switching) or the Boss TU-3 Tuner.

Next, A Pedal To Dirty Your Sound

At this part, you want to add any dirt and distortion. At the very least, you should opt for a good overdrive pedal to push your amp into the land of sweet, sweet saturation. You can also further this with various distortions or fuzz pedals. Think of pedals like the Ibanez Tubescreamer or any number of Klon Centaur or Marshall Bluesbreaker clones for overdrives.

After That, Something To Make You Louder

For this, I’m talking about a clean boost (basically a pedal that has just a volume knob and nothing else).

Now, I saw after the dirt for one main reason. If you put a boost in front of a dirt pedal, you get more dirt since the input going into these will be stronger, clipping the single further. This can be good, but pushing a drive into extra clipping may not necessarily increase the perceived volume. Putting a boost after the dirt will keep the dirt and just make it louder.

Now, if you like the sound of a boosted dirt pedal, maybe you should have two: one to push your overdrive over the edge (many overdrives, such as the Jackson Audio Broken Arrow and Golden Boy, incorporate a separate boost before the dirt for this very reason) and another to be loud! My picks for this would be the TC Electronic Spark Mini or the Katana Boost by Keely Electronics.

Finally, For The Basics, Something That Gives You Space

For this, we’re talking about reverbs and delays. Both put your guitar in different spaces, add ambiance and texture, and can make for cool effects (such as slapback delay or U2-esque delay tricks for rhythmic fun!)

There are multiple pedals that produce multiple versions of the same sound, so it's best to go with your budget. Just remember that no delay pedal with a “tape” sound will ever sound 100% like tape, but it’s pretty close, and the audience is guaranteed to never know the difference.

The TC Electronics Flashback Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb pedals deliver great sounds for a decent price if you need an “all-purpose” pedal. If you just want a particular delay sound and only that, Boss has a pedal for every need, including analog delay (the DM-2), digital delay (the DD-3) and even tape delay (the RE-2).

Get Comfortable With Everything

Once you have your setup done, turn knobs and use your ears. Get used to how the pedals interact with each other, as well as your guitar and your amp. Many pedals (especially overdrive, distortion and fuzz) are variations on a particular theme, so make sure you do your best to get the sound you want out of what you have before even thinking of swapping a pedal out. Thinking that a particular TS-style pedal, compared to your current TS-style pedal, will unlock tonal greatness may not necessarily be true. 

Everything Else Is Just Fun And Inspiration

Once you have mastered a basic setup, the fun part is adding things that inspire you. It could be a wah pedal, some modulation, a funky envelope filter, or a big, washy, ambient reverb with a shimmering, high-octave delay! 

Just remember that a simple setup like the one I outlined above can do a lot. Sometimes, a little simplicity is all you need!

What are some of your favourite pedals to use in a basic setup? Are you in Camp Tube Screamer, Klon or Bluesbreaker? Let us know in the comments!

By Kevin Daoust - instagram.com/kevindaoust.gtr