RIG-O-NOMETRY
Putting Together A Rig On A Budget
Let's face it: gear is EXPENSIVE. And before we all get that Excalibur rig, we may have to start a little more modest However, that doesn't particularly mean a duct-taped together overdrive and a three-string only tuner. There's some great gear out there these days, that despite donning a cheaper price tag, finds it way to into even some of the pro's rigs.
Having journeyed the road myself, I've come up with a simple, yet informational guide to creating a pedalboard with a small budget. I'm focusing on the necessities with a fun effect or two thrown in. This is by no means the 'official' guide on every pedal in the universe, just some of my advice on a few good ones to look for when getting that first board together.
Remember, the journey never seems to end, as guitarists, we always seem to be looking for the next great pedal. However, you may find or more of your first effects earning a long-spot on your board for years to come. Have fun with these, and remember demos are always available on YouTube.
Having journeyed the road myself, I've come up with a simple, yet informational guide to creating a pedalboard with a small budget. I'm focusing on the necessities with a fun effect or two thrown in. This is by no means the 'official' guide on every pedal in the universe, just some of my advice on a few good ones to look for when getting that first board together.
Remember, the journey never seems to end, as guitarists, we always seem to be looking for the next great pedal. However, you may find or more of your first effects earning a long-spot on your board for years to come. Have fun with these, and remember demos are always available on YouTube.
Tuners
In my 11 Things Every New Guitarist Needs article, I stressed the importance of a tuner. I must reiterate here for the added concern of having an in-tune guitar in a live situation. If the guitar is out of tune, the whole set will sound awful! The two most imporant things to look for in a tuner is of course accuracy and then speed. Also, you're gonna need to see it in the dark, so a bright display helps a lot.
Overdrive
Overdrive is probably the most important effect, setting the overall sound or your driven electric guitar. This can be a make or break for most guitarists. This will also be the one effect that changes the most in your rig. Some amps can have great built-in overdrives, however, some are lacking. That's where overdrive pedals come in to lend a hand. You can combine these with both your clean channel or as an added boost to your drive channel. Here's a couple I recommend for either starting or to add as permanent residents.
Delay
Delays seem to be some of the highest priced effects, yet we can still find some great ones under $100.