So far I've only used the effects that are built into my Delta Blues amp. Reverb, distortion, and vibrato.
What have you tried out? What sounds the best? Delay? Phase shift? What about amp modeling? Anyone have experience with that?
(and what genres do you play with each effect?)
Lesse, one of my favorite topics. My signal path:
EM-44 > old Boss Overdrive > Boss OC3 Octave pedal > Dan-o-Wah > Q-Tron > Digitech Digital delay > Holy Grail Reverb > Fender Pro Jr.
The reverb pretty much stays on all the time, just with varying degrees of level use. I drive the sound when I want dirt, be sure to explore the many possible sounds that are available to you by turing up gain, and turning down the master. The octave pedal is probably the only one I don't use every time I play, but it's nice to have, just when you want a slightly fuller sound. The wah is must-have, but I don't particularly recommend the one I'm using. The Q-Tron envelope filter is rapidly moving into the must-have camp, in my book. I love it, and it's got a *lot* of sounds in it. Delay is always fun, though I'm not too good at using it yet. I use it for slapback, and low-level, low-repeat setting behind the distortion sometimes. This is the same rig that I always take when I play electric, so I play all genres with it, it's more about getting familiar with the different sounds (spend time fiddling with knobs, you'll find a lot of variety,) and calling upon them as your ears command.
Christian
Thanks Christian--'preciate the input. There's a full thread on the same subject in the "Equipment" section. Interesting stuff!
'93 Flatiron Performer F with '93 era Fishman Saddle Piezo Pickup > ProCo Rat (Distortion) > Boss OC2 Octave Divider > Dan Electro Pepperoni Phazer > TC Electronics Chorus/Flanger/Ring Modulator (Chorus only)> Ibanez AF9 (Envelope Filter)> Alesis Nanoverb (Hall 2 Reverb)> Mesa Boogie Mark III.
Sometimes I also use a Digitech Whammy Pedal, & my (Original & Vintage) Mutron III and TC Electronics Sustainer/Parametric EQ.
You may have noticed I'm a bit of a vintage effects pedal enthusiast. I don't always use this stuff - mostly at gigs where the opportunity to invoke textural variety has potential. And this is rare. My most basic and usual setup is just using the Chorus Pedal and the Nanoverb.
-The TC Electronics Chorus Pedal is awesome for Mandolin - rich, lush chorus. (Flanger and Ring Mod don't have much applicable use).
-Ibanez Autofilter is also a killer app for mandolin lead and rhythmic texture and is much smaller and easier to deal with than the Mutron.
-Dan Electro Pepporoni Phazer is fun - but far from the best Phazer out there. It's basically disposable.
-Alesis Nanoverb - some hate it, but for me it's indispensable in making my tone sound more open, "floaty" and airier.
-ProCo Rat - dangerous device alert. I think a TS9 might be more suitable for mandolin here - but I have yet to find one at a reasonable cost. The rat scares bandmates and can be dangerous if the effected gain/volume are not adjusted to parity with the unprocessed level.
-Boss Octave - has some cool tones but no good for any rhythm use. Great for unison horn lines in a rock or swing band.
-Digitech Whammy Pedal - sounds great but not that useful except for the two octave splitter and the 4ths setting.
-Musitronics Mutron III.... Way huge envelope filter that is sought after - but doesn't work so well with mandolin.
-TC Electronics Sustainer/Parametric EQ - awesome - but subtle compressor - works great but long sustain is not something generally associated with mandolin. Has limited use but works great when I play electric guitar...
My dollar and .05
Ted (Way Too Much Information) Silverman
AKA Treblemaker
I've simplified over the years:
Fulltone Fulldrive II (a classic)
aNalog man Cloen Chorus (very transparent chorus)
Maxon AD-9 delay (awesome)
into a CARR Rambler (one of the best clean tube amps I ever heard)
Schwab 4 string (love it...mine is blond w/ tortoise shell binding and no dot markers sweet)
Don Grosh Retro classic strat copy (oh boy!)
perry
to answer mmukav questions.....
I like a little delay on everything to add some ambience
chorus is nice for electric mando too...takes a bit of the edge off....i used to use an octaver to add some bottom end...an interesting effect but at the end of the day a novelty at best....
I've never been into amps or effects that try to do too many things at once (jack of all trades...master of none)...for me getting one or two REALLY good sounds is hard enough and rewarding enough
Distortion is a must to sound like a rock guitar....
One distortion pedal I used to own was the BOSS heavy metal II...I remember it having a really fat botton to it...might be good on the mando
perry
Thanks Perry---great tips. I checked out your page, love the band!
Mike
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