Effects

Declan Byrne · From: Southern Ireland

I have a delay and reverb pedal .Is there any other nice pedal that i could add that copes well with the other 2 and sounds nice.Just for fun

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

What do you want to play? If you're gonna delve into blues, a phase shifter and an overdrive are at the top of the list.
If you like 80s country, a chorus.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 7 May 2014 6:48 pm

If you don't have tremolo on your amp, that would be a good one to go with delay and reverb.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I have one of those Boss cases that holds 3 effect units, real handy. I have a Boss reverb, a Boss delay and Boss chorus in it.

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Thought I'd throw this in for your consideration. A Zoom MS-50G might be a good solution. It has 100 different pedal effects built in, you can chain up to 6 in a row (in any order) using 50 user presets, and you can cycle thru your presets with the footswitch in any order you choose(VERY nice), and is not too difficult to set up.

I got one, based on comments here on the forum, and was very impressed, to say the least. Lots of cool reverbs, delays, EQs, etc. I think it's great for pedal steel.....and only costs $99!

Anyway, just thought you might like to check it out.
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Best regards,
Mike

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

I think it is safe to say that almost all pedal steel guitarists routinely apply reverb to their instrument's signal, and many - perhaps most - precede that reverb with delay processing of some form, but that is where the common ground ends. As Lane says, what do you want to play? Think it over and choose your tools according to the desired goal, rather than the other way around. The most sought-after player in these parts carries nothing but a dual-engine delay and reverb unit, and a stomp-box EQ in line to cover dobro parts.

In addition to using the bar movement coupled with appropriate reverberation to generate phase and chorusing effects, your delay unit can do this, particularly if it's programmable, so there's no need to add more gack to your signal chain on that account.

Steel guitar pickups are by nature very hot and can usually push a good amp into some gritty distortion, but for more of a rock/blues effect you might consider a Tube Screamer or the like.

While it can be strong medicine for electric guitars, I've never found a productive use for tremolo with the pedal steel, like external chorus effects, tremolo tends to clash with the natural effects of bar and volume pedal activity.

Bear in mind that I'm not discouraging you from experimenting with all of these effects, but only from INVESTING your money in anything until you can do so with clear intention. You might consider getting a used POD or the like in order to explore as many options as possible, but above all, try to avoid the temptation to spend all of your time shopping and mucking with gear instead of sitting down at the guitar and simply practicing, which is the one and only investment that ensures you won't need anything more than reverb and maybe a touch of delay to sound good playing anything you want to.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

One other effect that can be cool is an octave box, can fatten up single note lines, especially if you play with folks that like those guitar/steel twinning lines.
I also find Leslie simulators fun, but I haven't owned one yet

My personal opinion on multieffects units: RUN!!!
I've not yet encountered one that didn't make it difficult to tweak a patch on the fly, and atmospherics and acoustics (not to mention just your mood that day) can have an effect on how much reverb/phase/whatever you desire that day.
I'm not opposed to technology, and I have a high likelihood of RTFM¹, but I have a VERY low tolerance for frustration, and nearly all ME units apparently get designed by and for people who:
1: have no problem writing a patch for every song they play, and;
2: have no desire to edit a patch once created.
If you like tweaking your effects on the fly, I'd suggest a handful of individual boxes, or several ME units and a big hammer.

¹Read The F$%# Manual ²
²I was once told by tech support to RTFM, and I did. The Kama Sutra offered no help in configuring my router.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

I do agree that the minimalist approach has its merits, but the creative side of me wants to be able to try new ideas and sounds. I don't want to mimic anyone, just combine effects tastefully to create the sound I hear in my head.

Since many pickers like the Peavey Profex, TubeFex, etc. line of products, it doesn't seem like too many are afraid of a little programming. It's just something to learn and doesn't really take much time to do. But one has to be willing to take on the task...and I know not everyone is. But once learned, it becomes a valuable tool in one's arsenal of sounds.

Granted, I'm a hopeless tech head type, always looking into the latest gadgets...even though I can't usually afford them. But still, I always keep an open mind about new things and whether they would benefit me, or my playing. That's why I mentioned the MS-50G pedal. To me, it is very impressive, and useful.

But, that's just my opinion. YMMV
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Best regards,
Mike

Declan Byrne · From: Southern Ireland

Thanks for the great input guys and for taking time to post.
Mr. Green

Declan Byrne · From: Southern Ireland

And please keep them coming.We can all learn from other folks. Very Happy

richard burton · From: Britain

I suggest an EQ pedal.

I use a Boss GE7 EQ pedal to get me out of the $h1t when I'm having a 'bad tone' episode

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Mike, I don't mind programming them, I don't find that frustrating. I object to the difficulty in adjusting parameters on the fly. If you have a dead room, you'll want more 'verb and maybe longer delay, and a livelier room the opposite. I also like tech toys (I think I was an early adapter of tuner apps on the phone), but I like tinkering and fiddling, and MEs are kinda "set it and forget it." Which is fine for tuning a changer, I like a good stable Zum or MSA.

I do like Richard's EQ idea. When I play through anything but the Twin, I have a 3space rack that has a patch /power slab (I made it), a 15-band EQ and a Lexicon MPX100
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Mike Wheeler · From: Delaware, Ohio, USA

Lane, I wasn't referring to you at all. I've had all the Peavey rack "fex" units and, you're right...they're a pain to adjust on the fly. But the MS-50G I mentioned is much easier to make changes to in the heat of battle....but not as easy as individual stomp boxes. Doesn't bother me, though. The sound quality is actually very good.

I don't mean to sound like a salesman...I'm not. I'm just very impressed with this little pedal, and thought Declan might want to give it a look.
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Best regards,
Mike

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 8 May 2014 3:38 pm

Another fun thing to try, which I haven't, but would like to try, is a sitar bar. That provides some pretty cool sounds on the recordings I've heard.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Indeed, Daniel. Check out Hal Rugg on Stan Hitchcock's Honey I'm Home.

http://youtu.be/yBU5-CqHy5Y
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Paul E. Brennan · From: Dublin, Ireland

Declan you might want to try out the new Bradshaw Dobro simulator pedal:

http://www.pedalpro.co.uk/folderIndex/folderHTML/News2013tomBradshawDobroSimulator.html

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Two comments--I have done a lot of gigging with a PODxt and have learned a lot of ins & outs with it. When thoughtfully programmed, it can be fairly easily tweaked on the fly. My whole patch-making process was worked around creating this option---"x*x*SONG TITLE#1*x*x" might have trem & delay and this patch might have the dedicated fx knob assigned to trem speed, eg.

But my more important thought----when I see people asking for FX suggestions my first reaction is:
---is there a sound you heard on a record or you hear in your head that you are looking for? That is when I would suggest trying to find the fx that gets you there. "Just because", for me, falls short as a reason to ask for ideas.

If you are simply bored, then you could indeed get a cheap multi unit so that you can audition a whole lot of different fx just to find out what they are all about.
You may find that none of them interest you or you may find that something there really turns you on. Then you can research higher end single fx boxes and purchase something finer tuned to your ears & needs.

I just don't see looking for fx without a sonic idea in your head first, just because. Cart before the horse & all.

And for the record, people who know me might be snickering because they know that it is an understatement to say "Jon likes fx boxes". I have a few more than a few.
Hope this makes some sense.

Daniel Policarpo · Posted 9 May 2014 5:49 am

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Stan's one of my FB friends. I asked him about that tune.
He said Hal had just gotten the sitar bar that day and was just itching to try it out, It was kinda "kid with a new toy" syndrome.
I thought it worked well. But it's Hal...
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

plugged inline for me always are my delay pedal and a 'fat cat' pedal which, though i use it sparingly, gives me a kind of david lindley distortion tone.

years ago i picked up a zoom 505 guitar processor for $50. it's great for experimenting with other effects to see if you actually need something else without spending money at first.
it's got the basic chorus, flange, compressor,octave, pitch, eq, phase, etc.

Curt Trisko · From: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

I was in the same situation as the original poster about 9 months ago. I bought a used multi-effects unit: a Vox Tonelab for about $200. I'm not really a geek for these kinds of things, so I've only just casually experimented with it. I've barely read the manual.

Whoever mentioned the effects clashing with each other and with vibrato and the volume pedal is right. It also makes the instrument feel less responsive to your fine touches. I've found that I generally don't like having more than two effects running at the same time. The favorite sound that I get is straight from my Nashville 112 with the reverb about half way up. Lately, I've developed a taste for chorus, but I'm getting over it. I've never cared for delay unless it's a really short interval and if I'm trying to create a spacey sound. I'm not sure if having better effects pedals would change anything for me.

Long story short: what's the harm in getting a cheap multi-effects unit and then re-selling once you've found what you like?

EDIT - I forgot to say the point of my post: after 9 months with the multi-effects unit, I haven't found a sound that makes me want to buy a specialized effects pedal. When I bring my steel outside my home, I leave the effects unit behind. I figure if I need to make an effects-laden sound, that multi-effects unit can probably get me close enough. I try not to overestimate my audience. Laughing

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I think Jon has a point: do you have a sound in mind?
I bought my first phaser because I dug Buddy (and Pete Wernick's phase shifted banjo), shown here: http://youtu.be/XM65GcYM4Gs
I bought a Boss Tone because I loved Buddy Cage on I Don't Need No Doctor (youtube blocked that one, have a Kick in the Head, Boss Tone starts at 1:04, he takes a ride then leaves it on the rest of the song)
http://youtu.be/shgQ3-OGmu4

I bought a chorus because Mike made it sound good (and it WAS the early 80s). Like this bit. Nothing says early 80s like chorus on steel, steel ride at about 2:00: http://youtu.be/91iw2QBkZRQ

There are 4.7 squillion ways to set effects to sound bad, and not many that sound good.
Unless you have a sonic aim in mind, I'm not convinced buying a bunch of knobs to twiddle makes a good use ID time or money.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Richard....do you know the Dobro trick with that Boss pedal? , first slider down all the way, 2nd up all the way, 3rd down etc etc "Volume in the middle....instant "Dobro" I have a match bro....those settings are almost identicle. Go in before the Volume pedal.

Cheers.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

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