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Why use pedals?

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RockerRocker Frets: 4947
I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. [Albert Einstein]

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum

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Comments

  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26753
    edited October 2020
    It's just a different thing. I think a lot of people see pedals as "cheating" somehow, but they really aren't - most of the time.

    For example, amps can't make delay sounds, or sound like a Rat pedal with the gain wound up, or do pitch-shifted reverb, or give you fully controllable tempo-synced tremolo, etc etc. 

    In all cases if you're using an electric guitar and amp you're playing the whole system as if it's one instrument. Adding fx is the same - at least the way I use them. Adding a rhythmic delay makes you change the way you play the whole instrument.
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • RaymondLinRaymondLin Frets: 11813
    It’s cheaper, smaller, easier to get, variety.  Pedals are great, it’s like I have my favourite food but I also love lots of other foods too.
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  • Paul_CPaul_C Frets: 7672
    Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?
    I could tell you what you do sound like, but it might get me coolered.
    "I'll probably be in the bins at Newport Pagnell services."  fretmeister
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  • Sometimes I even play without an amplifier!

    If you don't want to sound like someone else, why do you think plugging straight into the amplifier makes any difference to that? Pedals are creative tools like any other, use em creatively then it's great! They inspire me to play in different ways, so I keep using them.
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  • JotaJota Frets: 463
    edited October 2020
    Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?

    Pedals don't make you sound like someone else but, plugging straight into an amp, can make you sound like someone else!
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  • merlinmerlin Frets: 6598
    Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  
    I suspect that there have been hundreds of players who have plugged straight into an amp. Congratulations, you sound just like them. 

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  • KeefyKeefy Frets: 2272
    I play almost exclusively in covers bands, and use single-channel amps. I use pedals to get a sound that is either close to the original recorded sound, or at least works in that song.

    That said, it is nice to go pedal-free occasionally. I did a soul gig with just Tele and amp, and used Strat and amp at an open mic this week - in both cases I simply didn't need pedals.
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  • soma1975soma1975 Frets: 6627
    edited October 2020
    Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?
    This might come as a shock but thousands of famous musicians also did this. And now you sound like them. But whinier. 

    EDIT: I see this has been covered. Damn you @merlin ;
    My Trade Feedback Thread is here

    Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.
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  • sweepysweepy Frets: 4159
    Pedals are like spices, 
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  • SassafrasSassafras Frets: 30273
    I suspect most of us have tried playing without 'the crutch' of a pedalboard.
    We weren't born with pedals. I don't know anyone who started their guitar journey with a pedalboard.
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  • merlinmerlin Frets: 6598
    Because otherwise you'd only be able to go downhill. 
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  • NorthernStompsNorthernStomps Frets: 398
    tFB Trader
    Because not everyone wants to just play blues rock or AC/DC all their lives

    Or ever, in my case 

    Facebook: @northernstomps // Instagram: @northernstomps // Twitter: @northernstomps

    Specialist Retailer Of Handmade British Stompboxes // https://www.northernstomps.com/

    Currently Stocking: Hudson Electronic/Raygun FX/Zander Circuitry/ThorpyFX/Rainger FX/Life is Unfair/ Magnetic Effects/Fredric Effects

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  • Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?



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  • I don’t want to sound like anyone else so I use pedals to create different sounds and textures while I play. I don’t necessarily create any amazing new sounds or sound particularly original but at least I can experiment without that boring ‘guitar into amp’ tone everyone has tried at least once since Charlie Christian. I think the guitar into an amp thing is a crutch for people with little to no sonic imagination. 






    In reality I don’t believe that I was just showing anyone can write a troll post.
    I use pedals or no pedals depending on the situation and what I’m trying to do. They’re musical tools, not a crutch and not an attempt to sound like anyone else. Also my amp has no tremolo or reverb so if I need them I have to use pedals. 
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  • SassafrasSassafras Frets: 30273
    Why use pedals?
    Cos boring without.
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  • RaymondLinRaymondLin Frets: 11813
    Thr truth is there are very few poeple sound original, and 99% of guitarists sounds like each other to 99% of the population. Most people just think guitar.  People don't really associate what a guitarist's signature sound but rather the music. 
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  • It’s about the song too and about the soundscape .
      
    Def leppard without chorus ,delay ,compression  would not sound like def leppard
      Duran Duran on a Steinway would not sound like they do , with Nick Rhodes  Jupiter , prophet etc .

      Plus they aid creativity by giving you the sound in your head 
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  • BlueStratBlueStrat Frets: 966
    Pedals are part of the fun!
     Nothing original about plugging into an amp, but pedals can help shape an original idea
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  • HattigolHattigol Frets: 8176
    Rocker said:
    I don't want to sound like someone else so I prefer the sound of a guitar/bass plugged straight into an amp.  So why do you use a pedal or pedals and have you ever tried playing without the crutch of a pedalboard stuffed with pedals?
    I hope you don't use the tremolo or reverb on the amp. Important to be yourself...
    "Anybody can play. The note is only 20%. The attitude of the motherf*cker who plays it is  80%" - Miles Davis
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  • DesVegasDesVegas Frets: 4510
    I love the sounds of a self oscillating delay. Can't get that from just a guitar and amp... And phasers, and flanging, and massive reverbs etc etc etc
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