Top 3 Guitar Effects Pedals Every Guitarist Needs
When you first look into getting some guitar effects pedals, the sheer volume of different options can be a little overwhelming. Even if you had the time to try out a 1000+ combinations before deciding on which pedals to purchase, there are a few pedals, that pretty much every guitarist will use at some point.
As nice as it would be to be able to afford every pedal every made, you will most likely on be able to afford a few pedals when you first start out.
So, for your convenience, I would like to offer a suggestion of the top 3 guitar effects pedals almost every guitarist needs.
1. Tuner
A tuner is the most important pedal in my opinion. If you aren’t playing in tune, than it’s going to sound bad full stop.
One of my favourite tuners is the Boss TU3. It’s an accurate tuner and will last a long time, which has been proven over the years. As far as I know, it has always been a popular tuner among pro guitarists. Also, It’s a great pedal to have at the start of your ‘chain of effects’ as it has a buffer built in, which can help your signal carry further and maintain high-end clarity, which is a good thing 
2. Overdrive Pedal
A good overdrive pedal should be a staple part of the guitarists tone.
“A good overdrive pedal is like a favorite pair of old jeans.” – Nigel Hendroff
Classic examples of this pedal include the Ibanez Tube Screamer and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff. A few more modern effects pedals incorporate valves, but usually these still run at voltages that are too low for the valve, resulting in a “starved plate” configuration that generates harsh and buzzy distortion. Distortion pedals usually also provide signal gain, which can be used to drive the input stage of the pre-amplifier harder, resulting in further distortion and, in some cases, higher volume.
3. Delay Pedal
A delay takes a sound and repeats it back without altering its tone or pitch, like an echo. You can alter the time between each repetition, measured in thousandths of a second, or milliseconds. Available in Analogue or Digital.
The most obvious example is The Edge of U2 , whose classic guitar parts couldnt have been written without a delay pedal.
In Summary..
In summary, there is no right or wrong when choosing guitar pedals. One of my favourite aspects of the music industry, is that someone is always trying something new and breaking the ‘traditional’ rules. That being said, with these 3 pedals you should be able to pull most good sounds with the right amp/guitar combination.
Your Say
Feel free to let me know what your top 3 pedals would be..
Tags: Effects Pedals, Guitar Pedals, Top 3
About The Author: Danny
I have been playing guitar for over 20 years now and love it more every day. I hope through this blog I can inspire and be inspired by other musicians. Music is a journey, and this blog is my way of sharing that.
View all articles from Danny (61)
23.02.11
overdrive and delay… who needs a tuner!? …… okay, the tuner can come too.
26.02.11
haha.. I knew you’d come around
23.02.11
I disagree on the overdrive pedal. I don’t see it as a necessary pedal, if I were going to purchase 3, and only 3 pedals. I like to use an amps overdrive, regardless of what kind it is — or how weak it is — even Fender Hot Rod Deluxes. For me, a staple pedal sound is the MXR Phase 90. Even the cheapest modern Phase 90, while not being the most transparant pedal, is absolutely amazing — modded or unmodded.
Secondly, I would say a delay pedal of some kind. Digital or analog, Boss or Empress, a delay is just one of those ideal sounds that everyone recognizes.
Lastly, I think a vibrato pedal is just wicked versatile. Actually, I am torn between a vibrato pedal and a wah wah. Both are great, but there is something about a vibrato that mixes well with so many other pedal sounds.
23.02.11
Every new guitarist should be issued the following with their first guitar:
1. FD2
2. DD5
3. TU2
23.02.11
I’m another vote for the tuner/overdrive/delay setup. Excluding a tuner though, I’d probably add a compressor or another delay.
23.02.11
To me, a tuner is not a “pedal”. It’s a requirement, like a cable.
23.02.11
1. TUNER – please!
2. Overdrive
3. Either a Fuzz Face, a wah, a delay or a vibe
23.02.11
I’m with the Comp / OD / Delay camp
I also agree that a tuner is not a pedal but a prerequisite
23.02.11
With these 3 pedals you could cover most anything:
1) Fulltone Wah
2) Route 66 (Visual Sound OD/comp)
3) H20 (Visual Sound Delay/ chorus)
23.02.11
interesting ideas from people….my 3 would be
wah
tubescreamer
fuzz
25.02.11
Loving your blog.. You already know I am signing up to your rss!
25.02.11
Very interesting. thank you for sharing!
06.10.11
Overdrive, delay and your favourite modulation
11.07.12
Hey It’s awesome to read such experiences.
Is there anyone who can help to get pedals?
16.10.12
Nothing personal ,but the premise that all guitarists should have pedals at all,much less the same is silly.It all depends whay sort of sounds one wants to use. I would suggest that those who use pedals look into using buffered op amps to maintain signal integrity
24.12.12
I am 100% in agreement with the tuner / OD / Delay. If you were to go the route of saying a tuner is a prereq, then I’d put a wah pedal in there, and in fact that’s what I normally use. Take it easy!