Guitar Effects Pedals and Stompboxes

Drive, modulation, time: what each effect does

Drive pedals shape the amplifier-like crunch: a boost raises level, overdrive adds mild grit, distortion is heavier and fuzz is thick and ragged. A noise gate removes hiss between notes. Wah and tremolo change filter or volume, while delay and reverb add echoes and space. A multi-effects pedal packs several of these with presets, which is handy for learning what you like before buying single boxes.

Mini or full size, bypass type and power

Mini pedals save board space, and metal cases survive a stage better than plastic. With true bypass the signal skips the circuit when the pedal is off, but a long chain of them can dull the highs, so a buffered pedal sometimes helps. Most pedals take 9 V DC with a center-negative plug; some mini pedals have no battery compartment at all, and digital pedals may want more current. Check the polarity before connecting.

Questions about Guitar Effects Pedals and Stompboxes

What is the difference between overdrive, distortion and fuzz?

Overdrive gives mild, amp-like grit that follows how hard you pick. Distortion is heavier and more compressed, suited to rock and metal. Fuzz is the most extreme, with a thick, buzzy tone that sounds very different from the other two.

Is true bypass worth looking for?

True bypass keeps the signal untouched when the pedal is off, which is fine for one or two pedals. With a long chain or long cables, a buffered pedal can recover lost high frequencies. Many players use a mix of both.

Do all pedals go in front of the amplifier?

Drive, wah and modulation pedals normally go between the guitar and the amplifier input. Delay and reverb can also go in the amplifier's effects loop, if it has one, which keeps them cleaner when you use a distorted amp sound.