What effects pedal should I start with-Please someone help?

Al Vesel · From: Chisholm, Minnesota, USA

I have played for quite a long time, but only steel through the amp??

I had always used my Fender Super Reverb for years, but now I just purchased a Peavey Nashville 1000 . Amp sounds great and sustains well!
Now I want to purchase an effects pedal. You hear so many different answers as to what to use. A lot say the Matchbox, for sure and you hear of a lot of steel players that won't play without it, so I hear??

If you could only purchase one, which one would you purchase.
I am sure alot of people will say, "that depends on what you want for effect", but I will take the majority rule.

#1) Goodrich Matchbox 7A?? (160 new)
#2) Boss DD-3 Digital Delay (""""""""""")
#3) New Black Box SGBB?? (over 300 bucks)

I can not afford all 3, but I was leaning towards the Matchbox because I wanted alot of sustain, but my newer steel has George E66's and also the Nashville 1000 has great sustain. and hold.

Is the Blackbox just going to give me more sound like my old Fender super reverb had?? Is that its purpose only to sound like the old tube type amps? That old super really did sound great!

Please help me!!!!!!!! Any input before I purchase would be great.

ALSO IF ANYONE HAS A USED MATCHBOX FOR SALE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THE SAME WITH THE DD-3

I Question

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

A Matchbox is handy for impedance matching and volume control, but might not be necessary with your rig unless you're having amp compatibility issues.

I guess I do not understand the question - if you are happy with your tone, why do you want an "effect"? You should only use an effect if it serves a particular purpose - Overdrives to sound like cranked up tube amps (but usually pretty ineffective as far as original intent with SS amps); fuzz for violin/cello-like sounds and over-the top screamer tones; distortion for more crunchy breakup; chorus, phaser and Leslie-type pedals for "swirly" effects; delay/echo for a specific type of tone some players like to use in place of reverb (and some don't, or use it in other ways); compressors to squeeze the attack down and lengthen sustain (but add noise).

I would never, ever recommend buying an "effect" just for the sake of having an "effect" - it's pointless. It's just a gimmick unless you have a use for it.

So - if you like your sound, don't waste your money. If you think you want to add (fill in the blank - some kind of distortion, swirl, or other time-based effect) either find someone local who will let you try stuff, or take YOUR rig out to a store and try pedals until you hit paydirt.

FWIW many, many guitar pedals do NOT sound the same at all with steel - in fact, some sound absolutely horrid unless you use a Matchbox (or Steeldriver, which also has distortion) or another impedance matching device.

I'm not being critical - just trying to save you a lot of money and headaches. I have dozens of pedals, but they are the result of buying over a hundred and tweaking combinations of gadgets, with different setups working with different guitars (i.e. my GFI's effects setup is completely diferent than my Fender 400, and my 6-string pedals boards also different - in fact, TWO of those for different guitar/amp combinations).

I know that doesn't answer the question, but hopefully the advice will be of some help.

PS - what's the difference in your terms "sustain" and "hold"?
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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Of the 3 choices...if I could only have one, I'd choose the delay pedal. Learn how to set the repeats and volume and it will make your sound fuller and sweeter. I and most other guys I know use a little delay and all use reverb at the same time.

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

You don't need the matchbox, run your volume pedal, I'm assuming it's a pot type pedal, in and out of the the effects send and return jacks. That does the same thing as the matchbox. I like to add delay, so that's my first choice, maybe combine it with the amps's reverb. That's all you really need, IMO. Other efects that come in handy are some type of overdrive/distortion pedal, I don't like lot's of distortion, but you need a little overdrive for blues and rock songs. Maybe a Chorus pedal, but I rarely use one. I use the DD-3 delay pedal, but there are lots of other brands, shop around. Good luck.
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Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

I would start with a delay pedal. The rest is subjective to me.

A delay will add more than the rest.

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

I'm with Tim.

As much as I believe in the tone enhancement factor of the Black Box, I do think that the dimension and size and spaciousness that you get with a bit of delay (and or good reverb) is very important to make steel have the effect it needs in music. I never play without some delay and reverb.

Brad

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

I agree with Brad, Tim, go for the DD3, but I must say, I'm impressed with Brad's integrity! A lot of effects makers would push their own product, and the Black Box is on my wish list, but to say to go with a delay first, well that's integrity.
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Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I also agree with the other guys, go with the delay. I started using delay way back in the tape Echoplex days. Then I graduated to digitals when they came out. If the amp I'm using has a good reverb, I can get a good sound using only my DD5 delay. If I need a better reverb, I use an RV-3 or put a Holy Grail reverb in line.
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Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

The effects generally are used in certain musical contexts.

If you play any iteration of rock or NCS music, go with a fuzz or distortion pedal. (Rock players will generally stutter without distortion of some sort.)

If all you ever want to play is country, then a delay pedal would be a good supplement to the reverb already in your amp.

However, if you want to play varied styles (rock, jazz, pop, gospel, and modern country), go with a phaser or chorus. To me, this is the most "useable" outboard effect. I use an MXR "Phase 100", and recommend it highly. It gets mild and serious slow sweeping chorus sounds, along with the fast "organ-like" effects. Another plus is it uses a standard 9v. battery which lasts about a year in normal use (no goofy "wall wart" to contend with).

I have many stomp-boxes (Mu-Trons, Delays, Flangers, Boss Tones...I even started with the original "Big Muff Pie"), but the Phase 100 continues to be my most-used accessory pedal.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Another vote for Delay. I use a BOSS DD-6
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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Brad did a nice job of explaining the results of the delay effect. Those are the things I was trying to convey in my earlier post.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

A delay will make your guitar sound "bigger," if that's what you're after. But if you like the way your guitar sounds now, I agree with Jim Sliff---You don't need effects just for the sake of having effects.

Andy Sandoval · From: Bakersfield, California, USA

A little delay and a touch of reverb sure sweetens up that tone. You can increase the reverb just a tad for the slower songs and it'll sound great.

Jim Eaton · From: Santa Susana, Ca

I run guitar-vp-RV3 (Lloyd Green settings)-NV-112x2.
So I vote for a Delay as well.
JE:-)>
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Buck Dilly · From: Branchville, NJ, USA * R.I.P.

First- Pot pedals are OK but an active pedal should serve you better and longer. a POD XT will give you all the FX you will ever need plus you can have it all 4 inches from your fingertips! BUT- I fnotice a slight loss of presence and attack; but nothing I cant deal with for live and almost all studio situations. I often prefer to go right in with nothing between tha vol ped and the amp. (PS- I love my match-bro too).

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