Help pick me a pedal for Christmas

Assuming three new fuzzes is not under consideration, I'd go for something like MXR's Phase 95.

 

Chorus, then phaser, in order of must-have, imo.

 

I’m not a pedal person, but the usual pedal that is said to be a “must “ is a compressor

 

You're not giving us much to go on, are you?

Tell us everything!
- What music do you play, what music might you want to explore
- What guitar(s) amp(s) and pedals do you have… none of that "an overdrive" nonsense: as a minimum brand, model, year, person who assembled it and smell (yes, smell too).
- Is there any of your pedals that makes you think "mmmmh yeah but I might like something different there"?

Based on the scanty information you provide, and on my tastes, I'd get a vintage-y modulation pedal: phaser (that'd be my pick), Uni-Vibe, or Rotary, or Flanger depending on what music you like. I don't much like Chorus, but that's also an option of course. Or maybe a VERY GOOD multi-modulation pedal (although I am increasingly averse to such things: I prefer one excellent sound over ten good ones).

Of course you can also decide that you are not a modulation guy, and that you rather want a nicer delay, or OD, or fuzz, or… There are at least 5-6 fundamentally different OD pedals around, and if (e.g.) you don't have a Bluesbreaker-type that could be a great investment. It's a massive rabbit hole!

In the "extremely unsexy but useful pedalboard gifts" you might consider getting a good isolated power supply and (in case you don't have it) a board to velcro your pedals on.

PS: sorry for being indelicate, but … are you still "telecaster-less"? I mean, the fact that you style yourself as such means that there is a gaping hole in your life, and Christmas is a time for new beginnings…

 

EQ pedal...

 

+1 on a good vibe pedal (instant Jimi/Trower tone) or quality compressor with a Blend control.

EQ pedal was an excellent suggestion too. There are several now which offer presets; this multiplies their versatility.

If you're getting your core drive tone from a tube amp rather than pedals, a Rangemaster (or similar) is well worth considering. Ironic that a so-called treble booster makes your drive tone richer.

Myself, I wouldn't be at home without a great chorus. Neunaber Inspire is a very good one but even a run-of-the-mill Boss can do fine. I used my 1980 Ibanez chorus for more than ten years before discovering multichorus in the early 90s.

Finally, an Echoplex-preamp pedal (a real one like the ClinchFX or Chase Tone, not one of the cheap ones that basically are just an EQ). The frequency-dependent phase realignment is subtle, but it just makes everything a little sweeter and better-defined. It's often said about these that you don't even really notice the effect until you accidentally turn it off, but then you immediately want it back on.

 

Boss are announcing a new Waza Craft pedal on 2nd December, so I will be waiting to see what it is. If it's something I'm interested in, it will be going on my list.

You can't go wrong with Boss pedals and the Waza series are another level.

Pedals however are subjective and the need for pedals varies dependant on what music you play, how you play, what amps you use, do you play live or are you a home player etc.

 

I play classic rock, lots of Zep etc - My only 'always on' pedal is an Echoplex EP101 - I *love* this pedal. My other which is nearly always on is a Phase 90. Totally recommend the 2.

Other than that I frequently use a Wampler Plexi Drive and a Tumnus - both fantastic pedals.

 

I would recommend the following two pedals, in order of importance.

Both are game changers, once you get used to using them.

The Tuner becomes your primary first stop before each set, and the Compressor opens up new worlds of sonic options, when used sparingly. (Avoid it being the 'always on' pedal, because that can work against you sometimes.)

You will spend about 99 bucks on either of them, though you can go cheaper on the poly-tune and get the one without the buffer technology.

 

Well, for a "fun addition" I'd get a classic phaser. I have a MXR Phase 90 "Script" reissue in the mail and will let you know!

I have yet to be bitten by the compressor or EQ bug… one thing at a time!

 

You’ve got no modulation man! Grab a chorus/phaser/Flanger. Danelectro18v Cool Cat/Ehx Bad Stone/Boss BF-3 do it for me. All relatively inexpensive. Or for the heck of it a Whammy. Ehx Pog is a fun addition as well. Oh man I almost forgot my new fave the Pinwheel by Fender! Awesome rotary padal!!! It’s got an onboard drive section for that grinding organ sound...no the other grinding organ sound.

 

My latest addition was a MXR 10 band eq. After 20 years of floor processors, I'm back to pedals and it's just so much easier to turn a knob than wade through page after page of menus. The EQ with level and drive sliders can act as a boost as well. 2nd recommendation would be a Keeley Compressor plus.

 

When you say you play rock n roll, do you mean like old-style 50s rock n roll (Elvis, Chuck Berry etc) or just rock music generally? Cos if its the former I’d definitely recommend a tremolo pedal.

 

Perhaps... it's time to jump into the modeler bandwagon?

HX Stomp, Headrush Gigboard, or the Boss GT-1000CORE. Or, you may start with the Boss GT-1.

 

My top picks for xmas would be...

1. Klone - Centaur

If that‘s a way out of budget?

1.1 RYRA - The Klone

2. Victory - The Sheriff preamp pedal

3. Peterson - StroboStomp

 

Yeah if it were me I'd def need trem in that setup