This is just a musing about guitar sound pedals. I've used them close to 40 years now. I used the first MXR pedals to come out in the early 70's. The phase 90 was a prime staple of the lot as well as a VOX Crybaby. Fast forward and there is a staggering amount of guitar pedals out there. I never considered distortion pedals as my Marshall amps sufficed with that in "the old days". I began a quest a few years ago to play at lower volumes and such to save my ears among other things. Bear in mind I've spent some big bucks on this quest to give you my philosophy for free. One thing to remember, when playing live and you mic your amp, chances are the PA is solid state (no tubes). Therefore the best tube amp well be at the hands of a solid state mixer and amplifier. Now about those pedals. I was playing a live gig outside and used a Fender Frontman cheapo amp, but clean. I needed something quick and cheap. I bought a couple of $49 dollar pedals. Out was from out of town and not out front, I was filling in for another guitar player who was sick. This is what I discovered in spades. That Fender Frontman and a Bad Monkey and a Digitech wah wah got me complements I couldn't believe and I thought it sounded good too. So, back home I pulled out my Deluxe Reverb and my $200 pedals and did some comparing. I bought some $20 Danelectro pedals and found them to be not bad. In fact, in live gigs, big enough to mic, the cheap pedals do remarkably fine. In the studio, not so though. Since the studio is a different animal, I'll limit my comment to live shows only. Only other musicians will know what you are using so don't be afraid to try cheap pedals and keep more cash in your pocket. Recently, I used the Digitech Bad Monkey with my Deluxe Reverb at a show and was complemented on my tone. Could have save alot if I had experimented more.
