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Home » Review » Guitar Pedals Must Have

Guitar Pedals Must Have

Last updated May 1, 2025

Guitar Pedals Must Have

  • Proudly written by Pro-Guitarist,
  • Hugh Richardson
  • 7 Comments
  • Guitar Pedals | Acoustic Guitars | Bass Guitars | Electric Guitars | Guitar Accessories | Guitars

Best

Guitar Pedal for Beginners

Boss Digital Reverb RV-6 A PERFECT GO-TO PEDAL SUITABLE FOR ALL GUITAR PLAYERS
  • Overall: Beginner Guitarists Who Are Not Looking For Analog Reverb Effects
  • Best Feature: Offers Digital Reverb And Comes With A 9V Power Supply
  • TedScore™: 9.5/10
Click for Best Price
Winner

Best

Guitar Pedal for People on a Budget

MXR M234 Analog Chorus Pedal THIS PEDAL IS CHEAPER, ANALOG, AND OFFERS A WARM CHORUS TONE
  • Overall: Guitarists With A Small Budget Looking For A No-Fuss Chorus Pedal
  • Best Feature: Has Five Control Knobs For Depth, High, Low, Level, And Rate; Can Create A Lush Chorus Effect
  • TedScore™: 9/10
Click for Best Price

Best

Value for Money Guitar Pedal

TC Electronic Corona Chorus Pedal ONE OF THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY CHORUS PEDALS
  • Overall: Serious Guitarists Looking For A Chorus Pedal That Can Fit Inside A Small Pedalboard
  • Best Feature: Four Controls For Level, Speed, Color, And Depth; Input And Output Stereo
  • TedScore™: 9/10
Click for Best Price

Guitarists often ponder what essential guitar pedals they should have in their collection. Whether rocking out, jamming with some blues, or adding a splash of funky jazz to your tunes, choosing the right pedals can elevate your sound from average to exceptional.

From the timeless warmth of overdrive to the ethereal echoes of a delay, these pedals are essential for crafting your signature tone. Each pedal brings its unique flair, allowing you to fully experiment and express your musical personality.

Keep reading, and let’s explore the world of essential guitar pedals that every guitarist should own.

Table of Contents

Types of Guitar Pedals

Initially, guitar pedals were called ‘stompboxes’. Also, the first ‘pedals’ were different transistor circuits that could change the sound. 

The guitar pedals are small units that mediate between the guitar and the amplifier. They are foot-operated and offer an on-demand effect that can drastically change the guitar sound. 

Types Of Guitar Pedals

In the 70s, pedals quickly became popular, offering a more diverse sound for a lower price. Some pedal manufacturers haven’t changed their features since then and are happy with their products being the same as 50 years ago. 

There are musicians like Jack White who, in today’s modern world, still chase that vintage sound and preach the blues like never before. 

There are many types of guitar pedals. Some can complement your playing style, while others can make you unrecognizable and cover up every mistake you make on the fretboard!

Overdrive and dynamic pedals

Overdrive pedals are more versatile than any other pedals on the market, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Distortion is also known as drive or gain. Despite being used by many professional musicians and music genres, it serves a different purpose for every guitar player. 

There are many options when it comes to overdrive. 

The overdrive pedals stimulate the natural distortion tone without damaging any of your guitar amps.

Overdrive And Dynamic Pedals

Next to the volume knob on the guitar, there should be another knob for the drive that allows you to control the amount of distortion. 

Dynamic pedals pair well with overdrive because of the compressor. The compressor pedal can raise the volume of softer notes and lower it on louder notes – evening out the dynamic.

Ambient and modulation pedals

Contrary to altering the sound with distortion, the clean tone of a guitar by itself can be a beautiful thing. Of course, the guitar and amp quality play the most crucial role in the sound, and even the warmest-sounding tube amps need a pedal that can add a touch of uniqueness.

You can use a modulation effect pedal to achieve a ‘wet’ or affected signal. Modulation and ambient pedals can add an extra layer to your clean signal. Defining modulation in a guitar context can be tricky without going into too many technical details.

Ambient &Amp; Modulation Pedals

Some of the dedicated modulation effects pedals are:

  • Chorus effects & vibrato pedals
  • Flanger effects pedals
  • Tremolo pedals
  • Phaser pedals

A pedal that comes with even one of these features falls into the category of a modulation processor. Aside from dedicated effects pedals, there are pedals that offer multiple features called multi effects, such as a flanger pedal that also combines a tremolo pedal.

Another category of effects pedal is the ambient variety. An ambient pedal offers:

  • Delay
  • Reverb

The pedal falls into the ambient category when there is a ‘timed’ effect.  You can get either a dedicated delay pedal and reverb pedal, or one that offers both.

Pitch and filter pedals

Multi-effects pedals are not for everyone. Most guitarists have a love-hate relationship with them because experimenting with sound is a trait of every beginner guitarist. So we decided to explain what these pedals offer and how they transform sound.

The filter and pitch pedals were popular in the 70s or the Grateful Dead era. 

Filter &Amp; Pitch Pedals

Filter pedals are also known as auto-wah pedals, and they like to enhance the tone by adding or taking away specific frequencies.

Remember, the EQ pedal is not the same as the filter pedal. Filter pedals can do additional processing on the guitar signal and give the tone a certain quality.

The pedals embellish the notes and offer a variety of vowel-like tones.

Utility pedals

Despite being one of the most expensive pedals on the market and seeming to have a straightforward task, there is much more to utility pedals than people realize.

One of the most popular pedals in the utility pedals category is the volume pedal. A volume pedal can give you creative freedom on stage. Volume pedals are not the most exciting thing in the world, but it will give you the control of your output volume you need to make yourself louder for your guitar solo, and back off when you need to blend in. 

Utility Pedals

In addition to the expression control, another piece of utility equipment is a volume switcher. This utility pedal allows you to change the volume between two different pickups and is great if you have two guitars with different input levels. 

How to Use a Guitar Pedal

Buying your first pedal is unforgettable, but it can quickly become a headache if you don’t connect the equipment properly, as many guitarists have found out! 

On a typical day, you plug in the guitar jack in the amp and are ready to roll. When you add a pedal to the rig, you need another cable. One is for the input, and the other is for the pedal’s output. 

How To Use A Guitar Pedal

If the pedal doesn’t have a label explaining which is the input and which is the output jack, the right side is the pedal input, and the left side is the pedal output. 

Adding one guitar pedal to the rig means you need one more cable. For example, if you add three pedals, you will need three cables. 

The guitar’s signal is sent to the pedal first. Then the pedal sends the guitar’s signal to the amp. If you use more than one pedal, you’ll create a signal chain.

How to Build a Pedal Board

Once you get one pedal to change your guitar tone, you will get addicted and continually search the market for another pedal. Building an entire pedal board like a professional musician is a lot of fun! 

To build the right guitar pedal pedal board, you will need

  • Pedals
  • Power supply
  • Cables
  • A board
How To Build A Pedal Board

The ‘ultimate pedal board’ is a different term for every guitar player. Someone who likes heavy metal music will have more distortion-oriented pedals. Reverb and delay effects are for individuals that like pop and R’n’B music. 

The first step for building a pedal board is selecting the size of the board. Afterwards, you can choose your style, which can be angled, flat, or a simple case. Then, you can add a power supply and attach cables to the pedals. 

It’s a pet project that you’ll not only enjoy building but you’ll tinker with for years to come.  Alternatively, take a look at our ‘Cheap Guitar Pedals‘ article to get you started!

The Most Essential Guitar Pedals

Just like guitars and amplifiers, some essential pedals are constantly used in the music world and offer an irreplaceable sound. Let’s dive deeper and explain the most crucial guitar pedals. 

Overdrive pedals

Overdrive and distortion pedals have a different yet unique impact on the tone. The term ‘overdrive’ means cranking up the tube amp and sending a lot of power. Feeding the amp with a lot of power makes it ‘clip’, which results in an overdriven tone. Musicians use an overdrive pedal to achieve a dynamic range in tone and insert a strong sense of gain in the tone. 

We can confidently say that every musician’s pedalboard has room for an overdrive pedal. These pedals are very versatile and can be implemented in every genre. 

The overdrive pedal we love is the Ibanez TS9:

The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer delivers classic overdrive tones with smooth, creamy distortion, making it a beloved pedal for both vintage and modern guitarists.

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Ibanez Ts9 Review
Best For Classic Overdrive Amp With Vintage and Timeless Op-Amp Design
PERFECT FOR: Most eligible for electric guitar blues and classic rock players looking for a vintage overdrive crunch

FEATURES: 9V of power; level, tone, and drive controls; unique green design

OTHER INFO: Type: Overdrive
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • Available over 50 years on the music scene
  • One of the best effect pedals ever made
  • Used by many icons such as SRV, Gary Moore, etc
  • Offers a vintage overdrive crunch
  • Great price
CONS
  • May overtake the amp’s tone
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Reverb pedals

These pedals create an echo or ‘delay’ of the signal, which can create a sense of space and depth in the sound. Delay pedals add one or multiple ‘repeats’, which usually fade gradually. The delay pedals are designed to emulate a ‘reverberation’ inside a room or space. 

Early reverb pedals used a metal spring coupled with a transducer to achieve this, while more modern units digitally replicated actual spaces, such as concert halls, churches, and studios. 

Led Zeppelin had to use a giant abandoned church to record their album because they needed a more reverb-oriented sound. Delay pedals can also mix in the dry signal and create a perfect tone for the solo or intro section. 

A reverb pedal usually has three controls: decay, effect level, and tone. The decay is for the period of reverberation, the effect level controls the overall volume, and the tone is for the, well, effect tone. 

The reverb pedal we love is the TC Electonic Hall Of Fame 2 Mini Reverb:

The TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 Mini Reverb packs a wide range of lush, studio-quality reverb effects into a compact and versatile pedal, perfect for any pedalboard setup.

TC Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 Mini Reverb

Tc Electronic Hall Of Fame 2 Mini Reverb Review
Best For A New and Smaller Version of the Legendary HOF Reverb Pedal With Three Easy Controls
PERFECT FOR: Anyone looking for a high-quality reverb pedal with no space on the pedal board

FEATURES: Offers three controls;  has 9V of power and one reverb knob; can be controlled through a TonePrint application

OTHER INFO: Type: Reverb
Check Price >
9/10
PROS
  • Next-gen reverb
  • Affordable price
  • It can be controlled with an app
  • Mini-sized package
CONS
  • There is only one knob for controlling the effects level
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Distortion pedals 

Distortion is arguably the most popular sound effect on the planet. There are a ton of riffs and song sections where distortion comes in, and it changes the entire atmosphere. Distortion pedals kick-started the career of thousands of musicians who relied on gain before creating their hit songs.

Depending on the level of distortion, this effect is sometimes called gain or fuzz. A high-quality distortion pedal can add a lot of crunchiness to the sound. For that reason, this pedal is mainly used in the hard rock and metal genres. 

The effect is so popular that amplifiers come with a distortion level themselves. However, to get the ‘real deal’, you need a proper pedal that is loud, intense, and offers an imperfect grungy tone.

The distortion pedal (sometimes called a fuzz pedal) we love is the Boss DS-1:

The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal provides iconic, aggressive distortion tones with remarkable clarity and sustain, making it a staple for guitarists across various genres.

Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal

Boss Ds-1 Distortion Pedal Review
Best For A Great-Looking Amp That Stands the Test of Time and Enhances the Sound With Distortion and Lush Harmonics

PERFECT FOR: Players with a tight budget but still like a distortion-filled sound for punk and rock

FEATURES: Three knobs for tone, level, and distortion; symmetrical clipping; sculpted EQ; passive Big Muff Pi style tone control; 9V pedal.

OTHER INFO: Type: Distortion
Check Price >
10/10
PROS
  • Reputable and reliable pedal
  • Same design for over 40 years
  • Used by Kurt Cobain
  • Fuzzy tones
CONS
  • Some players need more aggressive sound 
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 10/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Wah Pedals

The great thing about music is that possibilities are endless, and you never know what instrument will charm the audience’s ears. Wah-wah on paper sounds like nothing but a waste of money. 

But despite looking simple, the wah pedal has a lot of hidden secrets. It’s hard to control, and it drastically changes your sound. 

The pedal became very popular when many great names like Jimi Hendrix, Kirk Hammet, and Joe Satriani first used it. 

These pedals use an equalizer circuit to boost particular frequencies in the signal while diminishing others. You can control the effect by pressing it up and down. 

The wah wah pedal we love is the Dunlop GCB95:

The Dunlop GCB95 CryBaby Wah Pedal delivers classic, expressive wah tones with a robust build, making it an essential tool for adding dynamic character to your guitar playing.

Dunlop GCB95 CryBaby Wah Pedal 

Dunlop Gcb95 Crybaby Wah Pedal Review
An Iconic Pedal  - One of the Best-Selling Guitar Pedals of All Time

PERFECT FOR: All electric guitar players who like to add a wah effect to their guitar sound

FEATURES: Heavy-duty diecast material; durable; 9V of power or an optional adapter; legendary Fasel inductor

OTHER INFO: Type: Wah Wah
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • Used by Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix
  • Original Dunlop edition
  • Offers an aggressive tone with a high-end focus
  • Perfect for any pedal board
CONS
  • No other sound effects
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Guitar Pedal Features 

All pedals must have certain features to accompany guitarists on their music journey. Also, there are no rules about which pedal to buy first and which one you need to have a little more experience with. It all comes down to taste. 

Regarding features, all pedals must have specific characteristics to make the sound more distinct, dynamic, interesting, and at certain times better.

Features

Choosing a pedal from an unknown company and spending money can be frustrating. You need a pedal that will complement your playing and make you a better guitarist. 

Choosing effects and pedals is fun, but you must remember a few things. The more pedals you have, the more you forget to practice. So don’t make that mistake.

Popular Brands of Guitar Pedals

Do your homework and check the brand before choosing a guitar pedal. It’ll pay off! Even though the market is overflowing with guitar pedals, certain manufacturers always deliver and offer the best value for your money.

The effects you’re trying to achieve from a pedal can vary from person to person. To some guitarists, the ideal pedal board can sound terrible, while to others, it might be the perfect setup. That’s why the ‘best’ guitar pedals are somewhat subjective. 

Popular Brands Of Guitar Pedals

In no particular order, some of the best guitar pedal manufacturers are:

Eventide

Electro-Harmonix

Boss

TC Electronic

Ibanez

Zoom

DigiTech

Keeley

Wampler

Strymon

Top Picks of Guitar Pedal 

Here is a list of some guitar effects pedals that we love.

The Pro Co RAT 2 offers versatile distortion with a gritty, aggressive edge, making it a go-to pedal for achieving anything from subtle overdrive to full-on fuzz.

Pro Co RAT 2

Pro Co Rat 2 Distortion Review
Great Pedal for Vintage Distortion Sound

PERFECT FOR: Guitarists trying to emulate the rock sound from the 80s and 90s

FEATURES: This “bad boy” comes in an all-black design and has three knobs for volume, filter, and distortion; 9V of power

OTHER INFO: Type: Distortion
Check Price >
9/10
PROS
  • Classic black design
  • Three standard knobs
  • From a clean tone to a raunchy distortion for hard rock
CONS
  • The pedal doesn’t come with a battery
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The Strymon Sunset Dual Overdrive Pedal combines six meticulously crafted overdrive circuits, offering unparalleled tonal flexibility and high-quality sound for any guitarist’s rig.

Strymon Sunset Dual Overdrive Pedal

Strymon Sunset Dual Classic Overdrive Pedal Review
Pedal With a Lot of Tonal Possibilities and Two Types of Overdrive

PERFECT FOR: Guitar players who need an overdrive pedal and are not afraid to spend extra cash

FEATURES: The pedal boosts the circuits in two channels; noise reduction feature that removes the humming; 6 classic circuits

OTHER INFO: Type: Overdrive
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • Offers a lot of versatility
  • True bypass
  • More controls than your typical overdrive pedal
CONS
  • A little expensive 
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Pedal delivers searing, aggressive distortion with exceptional clarity and responsiveness, perfect for modern metal and high-gain enthusiasts.

Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Pedal

Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Pedal Review
One of the Best Pedals From Brian Wampler That Offers a Wide Range of Distortion 

PERFECT FOR: Guitarists looking for an all-in distortion pedal

FEATURES: Relay and True-Bypass switching; modern soul to turn your clean amp into a high-gain powerhouse; great for metal tones and heavy metal music

OTHER INFO: Type: Distortion
Check Price >
8.5/10
PROS
  • Handmade in the USA
  • Easy positioning
  • Boost switch
CONS
  • The pedal is a bit delicate
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 8.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The Dunlop JHF1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Pedal authentically captures the legendary fuzz tones of Jimi Hendrix, providing rich, vintage distortion that is both dynamic and expressive.

Dunlop JHF1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face Pedal

Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Hendrix Turquoise Ffm3 Review
The Best Fuzz Pedal on the Market

PERFECT FOR: Hendrix fans and guitarists looking to add any fuzz pedals to their board

FEATURES: By using a True Bypass, the pedal maintains signal integrity; utilizes the original JHF1 circuitry; 9V of power

OTHER INFO: Type: Fuzz
Check Price >
10/10
PROS
  • Fits perfectly in any pedal board
  • Delivers a vintage and legendary tone
  • BC108 silicon transistor
CONS
  • The sound is not versatile
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 10/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal offers warm, rich, and organic delay tones with a straightforward interface, making it a favorite for both classic and modern delay effects.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal 

Mxr M169 Carbon Copy Review
Compact-Built Delay Pedal That Fits Perfectly in Any Pedal Board 

PERFECT FOR: All guitar players who enjoy an analog delay

FEATURES: Performs over 600ms of delay and contains two internal trim pots; comes with a top-mounted modulation switch, blue LEDs, and 3 simple knob

OTHER INFO: Type: Delay
Check Price >
8/10
PROS
  • Premium-quality 
  • 100% analog delay pedal
  • 9V power
CONS
  • The main adapter is not included
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Recommended Guitar Pedals For Beginners

If you’re an acoustic guitar player and just starting your journey on electric, or even if you’re a beginner electric guitarist, here are some guitar effects pedals that we just love:

The Strymon Big Sky Multi Reverb Pedal delivers an expansive array of lush, studio-quality reverb effects with unparalleled depth and versatility, making it a top choice for professional musicians.

Strymon Big Sky Multi Reverb Pedal

Strymon Big Sky Multi Reverb Pedal Review
A Multi-Effect Pedal - Perfect for Beginners Who Don’t Need a Pedal Board Yet

PERFECT FOR: Beginner guitarists looking for a diverse amount of reverb and a pedal with many sounds and controls

FEATURES: Offers plenty of natural tones and pushes the limits of your creativity with 12 unique reverbs; comes with three footswitches

OTHER INFO: Type: Reverb
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • MIDI support
  • Versatile
  • More than 300 customizable presets
CONS
  • Little pricey
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The Boss Digital Reverb RV-6 combines high-quality reverb effects with intuitive controls, offering everything from subtle ambiance to vast, immersive soundscapes.

Boss Digital Reverb RV-6

Boss Rv-6 Reverb Effects Pedal Review
A Perfect Go-To Pedal Suitable for All Guitar Players

PERFECT FOR: Beginner guitarists who are not looking for analog reverb effects

FEATURES: Classic stompbox design with stereo and mono inputs; offers digital reverb and comes with a 9V power supply

OTHER INFO: Type: Reverb
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • Reputable and reliable manufacturer
  • Offers seven different reverb modes
  • Easy to use
CONS
  • Some reverb types sound familiar
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Value for Money Guitar Pedals

There are some guitar effects pedals that offer outstanding value for money. It doesn’t mean they’re cheap – it just means for what they provide, they do seriously well against the competition in both performance and cost.

The TC Electronic Corona Chorus Pedal delivers rich, shimmering chorus effects with versatile tone-shaping options, making it a powerful addition to any guitarist’s pedalboard.

TC Electronic Corona Chorus Pedal

Tc Electronic Corona Mini Chorus Pedal Review
One of the best value for money chorus pedals

PERFECT FOR: Serious guitarists looking for a chorus pedal that can fit inside a small pedalboard

FEATURES: Utilizes TonePrint technology; four controls for level, speed, color, and depth; input and output stereo

OTHER INFO: Type: Chorus
Check Price >
9/10
PROS
  • Ultra-small footprint
  • Versatile and premium-quality sound
  • Eligible for lead and rhythm guitars
  • Affordable
CONS
  • The 9V power supply is sold separately
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The Strymon Timeline Delay Pedal offers an extensive range of meticulously crafted delay effects, exceptional sound quality, and deep customization options, making it a premier choice for discerning musicians.

Strymon Timeline Delay Pedal

Strymon Timeline Delay Pedal Review
Top-of-the-Line Multi-Effect Pedal That Comes With 12 Studio-Quality Delay Presets

PERFECT FOR: Guitarists who can afford to spend more money on a top-notch quality delay pedal

FEATURES: The pedal can switch between 8 control knobs; has a 30-second looper; MIDI inputs

OTHER INFO: Type: Delay
Check Price >
9.5/10
PROS
  • Clean and dirty delay tones
  • Created with durable aluminum chassis
  • Onboard SHARC DSP
  • The built-in looper can repeat the sound of your guitar
CONS
  • Lack of HP's option or high pass filter
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9.5/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Buying Pedals on a Small Budget

There are multiple guitar pedals to consider if you’re on a small budget, but if you have the choice of just one pedal, we would recommend the MXR M234:

The MXR M234 Analog Chorus Guitar Pedal provides lush, warm chorus tones with versatile controls, allowing for a wide range of sonic textures and depth.

MXR M234 Analog Chorus Guitar Pedal

Mxr M234 Analog Chorus Guitar Pedal Review
Compared to the Corona Chorus, this Pedal Is Cheaper, Analog, and Offers a Warm Chorus Tone

PERFECT FOR: Guitarists with a small budget looking for a no-fuss chorus pedal

FEATURES: Offers an analog bucket brigade circuitry; has five control knobs for depth, high, low, level, and rate; can create a lush chorus effect

OTHER INFO: Type: Chorus
Check Price >
9/10
PROS
  • Affordable
  • Mono input and output
  • Road-ready
CONS
  • The battery compartment is a bit clunky
What Retailer to Buy From?

When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.

They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.

The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Guitar Pedals Must Have
Summary

In this article, I’ve shared my favorite must-have guitar pedals. These pedals can shape, enhance, and diversify your sound.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we covered:

  • Reverb Pedals: Adds depth and atmosphere.
  • Delay Pedals: Creates repeating echoes and builds texture.
  • Distortion Pedals: Introduce grit and intensity.
  • Compressor Pedals: Smooth out dynamics for a balanced sound.
  • Tuner Pedals: Keep your instrument in tune.

Each pedal has its unique touch. With the right combination, your guitar’s voice will be distinctly yours.

Remember, pedals are tools for creativity. Explore, experiment, and let your music shine!

FAQ's

What guitar pedals are necessary?

The rabbit hole of guitar pedals is quite big as there are so many pedal types. However, some pedals stand out from the crowd and are necessary for every guitar player. The most necessary guitar effects pedals are a tuner pedal, overdrive pedal, modulation pedal, reverb and delay, and compression pedal.

What is the most popular guitar effects pedal?

The most popular guitar effects pedal is the distortion pedal. This pedal is perfect for professional and aspiring guitarists. 

What pedals should every guitarist have?

The best options for electric guitars are distortion, overdrive, delay, reverb, fuzz, wah wah and chorus pedals. If your budget stretches, grab a phaser pedal too. 

Do beginner guitarists need pedals?

Other than a tuner pedal, beginners that just transitioned from an acoustic to an electric guitar don’t necessarily need pedals. The best approach to playing guitar is to master the clean tones and then add distortion, not the other way around. In other words, just start playing, then add the essential effect on afterwards.

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  • Hugh Richardson
    Hugh Richardson

    Hugh Richardson is a bass player and writer currently based in London, UK. Recently, he has been busy playing on West End shows and tours including Bat Out Of Hell The Musical, Kinky Boots and Priscilla. When he's not performing, he is probably teaching or spending time perfecting his table tennis game!

    You can find out more about Hugh from www.onlinebassguitar.com

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↓ Click here to leave a comment ↓
  1. SidVicious94 says:
    January 4, 2025 at 12:40 am

    yo Hugh Richardson, good stuff on buying pedals on a small budget. it’s like, guitars and gear are so expensive man. and when you’re trying to make it through college, every penny counts. i snagged a wah pedal based on a rec from a similar article and it’s been awesome for funk and rock stuff. got any secret tips for finding deals on used pedals? or maybe some under-the-radar brands that won’t break the bank?

    Reply
    • ThriftyGuitarist says:
      January 7, 2025 at 12:59 pm

      Online forums! People often sell pedals they no longer use at great prices.

      Reply
    • GearHunter says:
      January 6, 2025 at 12:09 pm

      Check out local music shops and pawn shops. Sometimes they have hidden gems that are just waiting to be found.

      Reply
  2. JennyG says:
    December 1, 2024 at 8:54 pm

    The section on essential guitar pedals is spot on! A decent overdrive and a reverb pedal are game-changers for any guitarist.

    Reply
  3. M@rktheShark says:
    September 26, 2024 at 5:41 am

    hey so i got a question about pedal boards. how do you know when you got too many pedals? is there such a thing as too many?

    Reply
    • PedalProXD says:
      January 7, 2025 at 12:59 pm

      Never too many, it’s all about how you use them. It’s more about managing the signal chain effectively.

      Reply
  4. Alex Riffs says:
    September 1, 2024 at 5:23 pm

    Really enjoyed the breakdown of different pedal types, especially the ambient and modulation pedals part. It’s fascinating how the right pedal can completely transform the sound of a guitar. I’ve been playing around with a couple of overdrive pedals myself but haven’t dived too much into modulation yet. Any specific recommendations for someone looking to explore that area further, Hugh Richardson?

    Reply

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