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This is a new pedalboard I've put together:
The above is a sort of conceptual/theoretical pedalboard, based on the theme of "affordable quality". The premise or criteria was to choose pedals exclusively from higher end mass-produced stuff and lower priced boutique stuff, and which are readily available both new and used. I suppose it's about showing that one can get very well made and great sounding pedals without paying crazy boutique prices - especially so if bought used.
I bought almost all of the pedals pictured above second-hand, mostly in nearly-new condition. Most of the pedals cost in the region of c. £50-£65, and the most expensive pedal was c. £90. Altogether, their total cost was c. £950. If buying new only, I worked out that their total cost would be c. £1,860 (UK prices), and c. $2,400 (USA prices). The USA prices are on average about 20% less than UK prices - lucky Americans.
Re: pedal selections -
- I like plenty of fuzz and dirt options. I've included four fuzzes. I prefer vintage type fuzz.
I could've easily swapped the Barber Trifecta fuzz for my Way Huge Swollen Pickle (both are Muff based).
The MI Effects G.I., a very tweakable silicon fuzz (less than £100 new in UK), could be substituted with a silicion Fuzz Face such as a Dunlop mini Fuzz Face or the MXR Classic 108 Fuzz.
The yellow/black pedal near the top-right is a germanium fuzz by a small English-based maker called Magnetic Effects.
- Tremolo, along with fuzz, are probably my two favourite types of effects. I've selected the Voodoo Lab optical tremolo and, for more choppy stuff, a clone of the 60s Vox Repeat Percussion effect (unmarked box). The latter is an example of the affordable clones one can get online from "hobbyist builders".
- a wah-wah is also a staple effect for me. I included my Vox V847.
- the Visual Sound Oil Can (top right) is, imo, one of the best phasers one can get outside of the boutique market and is ridiculoulsy good value for money. It's based on an early EHX Small Stone. The phaser and chorus pedals selected can also help cover univibe/leslie sounds. (For a genuine univibe-type pedal, I would've added a Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe.)
- I always like to have a graphic EQ pedal - I think they're generally underestimated. Pedal choices are limited, but I went with the Boss for its robust construction.
- For an analogue delay pedal, I would go with an MXR Carbon Copy but I don't have one so I included my Tonerider pedal instead. The latter isn't very well known and I think its discontinued, but it's a genuine analogue delay and construction is robust. It has seven bbd chips if I recall. (MXR stuff isn't as affordable in the UK as in USA [Carbon Copy new prices: £135 v's $150!], and the Carbon Copy holds its value very well second hand.)
- I feel that the Line 6 Echo Park is an extremely good compact delay pedal, and an excellent buy second-hand.
- For a looper, I added the TC Ditto.
- The Line 6 M5 is there for its "swiss army knife" capabilities, primarily to cover reverb and more unusual effects. The M5 is incredible value for money (less than £100 new). Oh, and it has a tuner.
- Some of my favourite pedal brands are represented, such as Earthquaker Devices, MI Effects, Visual Sound and Voodoo Lab.
