Need Help choosing effects

so i have no idea about any effects other than what i have played with through a computor program or recording device. But id like to get single effect pedals instead of a multieffect processor pedal. What brands would you recommed and i dont want to buy the nicest stuff but i dont want crap either, and i have a epiphone les paul standard electric and a taylor 414 acoustic. And what basic effects would you recommend getting to start out with cuz id like to buy 2 or 3 to start with then get some more. Or any other suggestions on what i should do? Thanks

A lot depends on what sounds you're looking for. To start with, I would suggest a chorus pedal (Boss CH-1 for example), a delay pedal (boss DD-3 for example), and maybe a wah pedal. A wah tends to be more useful if you play lead guitar, but I play rythm and find plenty of uses for it. You also might want to look into an overdrive or distortion pedal if you need more dirty tones than what your amp can provide. A good (from what I hear) overdrive/distortion pedal is the Boss OD-20. It is a multi-effects pedal, in that it models several different types of distortion pedals. Also, once you get into using pedals, don't skimp on the cables. Get some decent quality cables. Lower quality cables will work, but they will deaden the sound a bit. I like George L, Planet Waves, and Livewire cables.

Here's a link to a site with descriptions of different effects, including what they do: DiscoFreq's FX Site. Another one I've found useful is the Effects Database at Harmony Central.
From there, you might make a list of the sounds you're looking for, and what box(es) will make those sounds. If possible, listen to some different pedals at your local music store, or ones owned by people you know. Best of all would be hearing one on your own guitar/amp setup, or one very close to yours.
I've found that if you read the reviews at Harmony Central or similar sites, there are very few pedals that don't have a few "It sucks!" comments mixed in with the "I love this thing!" reviews. A high overall rating (8.0 or better) and a great eBay deal might help your decision. :cool:

Also be aware that a given effect may sound different once combined with others, even one other, and it may depend on their order in your signal chain. ("Hmm, do I want fuzzed wah or wahed fuzz?")
One final link, to a thread on Expert Forum about multi-effect pedals. Read what "Musicalhair" has to say about pedals in general and multi-effects in particular:
http://www.musicplayer.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=19;t=011200;p=1

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Doug C.

depends what kind of sound you want, but basically a distortion/overdrive, delay, chorus, and wah will give you most sounds.

if you are a newbie, I suggest a multi-effects, a fairly cheap one. (not super cheap like $50, and not expensive like $400! probably something in the $150-$200 range) this will give you something to play around with, experiment with, and learn with. a multi-effects will help you decide which effects you'll want to buy. for example, if you got a multi-effects and you find yourself using delay alot, then you'll probably want a delay pedal, and if you find yourself using a flanger alot (for reasons I couldn't guess, I only use a flanger once in a great while) then you'll probably want a flange pedal... I'd say go with a multi to start. you can get a korg ax10g for $150, it's what I have, and while it isn't the greatest tone in the world it does have plenty effects to play with. and the delays and reverbs are really good actually. or for $50 more you can get a korg ax1500g which is alot bigger and can do even more things.

btw, about the boss OD20, I ordered one, it should arrive tomorrow, I'll let you know how it is when it gets here.

Originally Posted by: mebtw, about the boss OD20, I ordered one, it should arrive tomorrow, I'll let you know how it is when it gets here.

yeah, it got here... all I can say is... it's flippin awesome!!! every conceivable tone can be had with this thing, I just played around for 45 minutes, and didn't even begin to explore all the tonal possibilitys... the attack shape control is amazing, you can (almost) make the MT-2 sound like an overdrive, and make a tubscreamer nearly as heavy as some of the most extreme distortions... it's crazy. I suggest them to all, as 99% of the tones I have tried out so far have been great. and the knobs are so sensitive! I decided to turn the bass up all the way and the treble down all the way, just for a second, yeah, it made my amp move across the room... and my stomach felt as though i was about to crap myself... it was awesome... I love this pedal, it's my new favorite toy. it has all tones, from one setting that is nothing more then a volume boost, to another that is the most metallic sounding thing you've ever heard!!! it's crazy.

When you first play a wah its kinda like trying to drive a ferrari through a school zone. I added a vocal mod and a mid boost mod. The mid boost will make the heel/toe transistion less drastic. I recommend it to everyone who wants to enhance the effect and not showcase it. The vocal mod makes more like a voice than an electronic effect. These are easy, 1 resistor replacement each mods. I've been in electronics for about 25 years and I'm here to tell you, the true bypass switch mod is much more of a replacement/soldering pain than it's worth. Just my humble opinion.