How many modulation pedals are too many (for a blues guy)?

[Joe K]

Well, not all blues but mostly...

I have a Dunlop Univibe and Boss CE-2 chorus (in addition to delays, wah, compressor and overdrive/distortion). Lately, I've had the strong desire to add a phaser (Phase 90?).

Some of these sounds cross over a bit (chorus, vibe, phase). Would I have enough redundancy with the three described to eliminate on of these pedals?

Thanks.

[BigDaddyLH]

Isn't the UniVibe like a Tremolo plus a chorus? You still may find the pedal easier to use than trying to combine effects.

[silentechoes]

I run a trem, chorus, flanger, and phaser and that seems to strike a good balance for me. For your rig I would think that a chorus and phaser would negate the need for a vibe, but then again I have very little experience with Univibes so take this with a grain of salt.

[bangcaster]

one.

[Chiogtr4x]

I usually just pick one of the following (between a "leslie type", phaser, or Tremolo) on my board for blues gigs as most of my stuff is swing shuffles or traditional, NOT so much blues-rock. I just like keeping things very simple.

edit: I have a really small board and swap out pedals as needed for a given gig

[Mike Simpson]

Tuner > clean Boost > dirt > delay = 4

[Twangasaurus]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLH

Isn't the UniVibe like a Tremolo plus a chorus? You still may find the pedal easier to use than trying to combine effects.

Actually it's more like a phaser plus vibrato. The end result is similar to a chorus but it's achieved quite differently.

[Saucer4]

I have a DOD Vibrothang I bought for its name. Its a chinese-made pedal, but its actually quite nice. It does the Vibrato/phaser combo thing really well. Recommended.

[nosuch]

Originally Posted by bangcaster

one.

[sjhusting]

Depends on whether there's a keyboard player in your band.

If there is, then as soon as he uses an organ patch, your modulation will go under. Don't even bother.

If there isn't, go to town.

just mho

steven

[JesterR]

Actually none :)
Or if you like more blues-rock, I think, that one pedal is enough.

[Del Pickup]

For blues, I find that tremolo is almost essential for some songs, reverb (or a very subtle delay) is also good to have and a rotary/vibe type pedal should be all you'd need for modulation effects.

[GigsbyBoyUK]

I went to a blues jam a while back where all three house band guitar players had the same sound: Boss Blues Drivers into Fender amps. All good players but so boring.

The day that we start to say 'this is how blues should sound' is a sad day indeed. Use 50 pedals if you want. Do your own thing. Make your own sound.

[Del Pickup]

I agree with you on players sounding the same. That's why I've been moving away from strats for a while now and using my LP, cheap 335 copy and tele more these days.

I still love my strats but the sound can almost become too familiar (maybe even boring).

So, by all means, use whatever effects to get your desired tone. But sometimes the over the top sounds from flangers and chorus pedals just aren't right for blues tones. Of course, someone might be able to make that their own tone and make it work for them.

[gypsyseven]

Originally Posted by Saucer4

I have a DOD Vibrothang I bought for its name. Its a chinese-made pedal, but its actually quite nice. It does the Vibrato/phaser combo thing really well. Recommended.

I hate me for selling mine a few years ago...probably my favorite pedal for this "leslie-phaser" sound....

[JesterR]

Originally Posted by GigsbyBoyUK

I went to a blues jam a while back where all three house band guitar players had the same sound: Boss Blues Drivers into Fender amps. All good players but so boring.

The day that we start to say 'this is how blues should sound' is a sad day indeed. Use 50 pedals if you want. Do your own thing. Make your own sound.

Yes, but that's the matter of tastes.
Personally I feel blues as more "rough" style. Not that smooth sounds artificial sound. So, better to have another fuzz, or some sort of octaver or other funny thing, then 2 choruses, flanger, etc. Modulation is just for add some texture: tremolo/vibey things works better to prevent "too processed tone" of many guys, which feels blues just like some "cocktail party" music

[Tele-Monster]

Not sure there is a set rule. Is there?

[JesterR]

But if you like modulation I would recommend blackout whetstone. Super-cool and smooth phaser, but it can do vibe, vibrato, tremolo-style effects. Very impressing pedal, which still sounds organic in near all settings.

[birv2]

+1 on "one".

[vanguard]

if i went to a blues show, and the guitarist had a bunch of mod pedals on the floor i'd probably:

if amp trem isn't enough, i'd get a pedal like the boss VB-2 or the plush creme de la trem; pedals that can move into chorus, vibe, vibrato, tremelo and phase territories.

the ratio of guitarists that have a pile of pedals on stage and just look distracted/mesmerized by them the whole show vs. guitarists with the same pile who are actually using them sparingly and effectively is heavily weighted towards the former.

i know every time i have more than a boost, tuner, and amp trem switch on the floor i turn into a sleepy-eyed, ADD, tasteless mouth-breather.