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Guitar Effects Pedals - Do They Really Make a Difference? |
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Written by R.S.Rasnick
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Monday, 01 February 2010 |
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Effects pedals for the guitar have been around since the 1960's, when guitar based music and rock 'n' roll were on the rise. Roger Mayer, an engineer, is believed to have created the first guitar effects pedals, which was simply known as as "fuzz box" (today known as distortion or overdrive) and the "wah-wah" pedal.
by R.S.Rasnick
Effects pedals for the electric guitar have been around since the 1960's, when electric guitar based music and rock 'n' roll were on the rise. Roger Mayer, an engineer, is believed to have created the first guitar effects pedals, which was simply known as as "fuzz box" (today known as distortion or overdrive) and the "wah-wah" pedal.
Mayer created pedals that were used by the likes of legendary rockers Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page (for whom Mayer, his friend, reportedly created the first pedal in 1963 or 1964). Today, numerous effects are widely used by electric guitar players.
Effects pedals are so standard with guitar players, especially electric guitarists, because they can easily expand the tonal range of the guitarist's sound.
While different amplifiers can offer some of the alternatives, not many amplifiers have built-in effects. Besides, guitarists would have to go to their amplifiers every time they wanted to make a change. Effects pedals are much more convenient, especially since guitarists frequently change tones in the middle of a song.
So, just like the electric guitar and the amplifier offered guitarists a wider variety of tonal choices, effects pedals, too, give them even more options in shaping their tone.
Today, even classical and acoustic guitarists use these effects, though they tend to avoid the distortion, overdrive, and wah pedals used by electric guitarists.
Since the first pedals were created, rack-mounted guitar effects have become more common. These were more popular during the 1980's, thanks to companies like Yamaha and Eventide.
However, guitar players soon realized that effects pedals were far more convenient and useful than rack gear, especially since the sound quality of digital pedals increased dramatically and eliminated the need for much rack equipment.
When they have their effects selected, most guitarists will mount their pedals on a pedalboard to facilitate transportation and storage of their effects. This system makes it much easier to trigger the pedals as well, since they are contained in a relatively modest space.
Since wah and volume pedals operate a bit differently (they are rocked back and forth rather than simply switched on), they are mounted to make this usage easier.
You'll find, though, that most guitar pedals are pretty simple to use. With a simple "stomp," one can go from a shattering rock and roll distortion to a beautifully clean sound. Some guitar players even use devices called "loopers" to chain groups of effects together than can be switched on and off simultaneously.
Guitar Players often spend a great deal of time adjusting their effects, amps, and guitars just to get the "perfect" sound that they've been searching for.
Popular effects devices include distortion, overdrive, chorus, flanger, echo, delay, vibrato, tremolo, flanging, and pitch-shifting, just to name a few. These effects can have strong changes on a guitar player's sound.
If you are interested in diversifying your sound or just trying something unusual, then you should give some of the above effects a try. Who knows? They may inspire your next amazing solo!
About the Author:
If you are a guitar player who is looking to expand your tone using Effects Pedals, then you should visit Just Effects Pedals today. We have the broadest selection of effects pedals available on the Internet. It doesn't matter if you're searching for the perfect distortion, flanger, or delay pedal, we've got what you're looking for. Visit our site today!
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