Effects for acoustics!

[smast8]

Was just wondering if people had opinions on using electric guitar effects (by that I mean stomp boxes; Boss, etc.) with acoustic guitars? Are there advantages/disadvantages?

 

I know there are specifically designed pre-amps/racks/digital stomps for acoustics but would it be just as good to shape your live sound with as BOSS EQ pedal, Holy Grail reverb, and a Dano delay, for example? I've noticed that a lot of acoustic players have rack-mounted pre-amps and effects. However, sometimes I think these sound a little over-digital...

[Terry Allan Hall]

I prefer stomp-boxes in my fx set-up...it's much simpler to go with, and if any individual unit dies (or I find one I like better), it's easy to change 'em out.

Currently, my pedal board is set thusly: guitar -> Baggs PADI -> (via FX return/send) Dano auto-wah -> Boss HM-2 -> Boss Super Phaser -> old Boss Phaser (Ph-1) -> Boss Flanger -> Dano chorus -> Dano Digital delay -> Sho-bud volume pedal -> Boss DD-5 digital delay -> Boss Harmonizer. The pedal board is only used when I'm playing w/ my trio "Too Hot For Snakes"...at my solo gigs, I only use light reverb from the PA.

[pipedwho]

I've been using a Boss GE-7, a Boss CH-1 and a Line6 Verbzilla. Recently, I've pretty much replaced them all with a Zoom A2. But, I occasionally use the single pedals for 'old times sake', and keep them around for backup purposes.

[guit30]

I love my Guyatone compressor which I use both as a preamp for my Fishman NeoD and add some sweet compression too
Jim

[guitapick]

I'm generally an amp/reverb player with acoustics. But I was playing this ballad on my classical the other night and tried it out with my Boss Chorus and some delay. It sounded fantastic. Nothing wrong with using the electric stuff if it works, I suppose...unless someone knows something I don't.

[Stackabones]

On both my acoustic steel-string and nylon-string, I've used the Zoom A2 and the Boss GT-8.

The Zoom's a nice little affordable box with some good sounds, though I nixed the acoustic simulators in my set up. Light weight and low-price tag make it an easy choice to get into the world of acoustic effects. The added drum sets (40 kits) are really fun. I think other Zoom stuff has been housed in plastic; this dude's metal, so stomp away. Were I to make a suggestion, I'd recommend spending the extra money to get the unit with the expression pedal (A2.u1 with USB & Cubase LE!!!) and purchase the optional foot switch for optimum performance. I got the basic unit, but I really wished I spent the extra dough, especially for the USB.

The Boss is very adaptable and quite capable of good, interesting and unusual sounds, but its price tag and complexity turns most people away (and some just don't like the sounds). The Boss has an acoustic processor in it, and some of those work well, some need tweaking, and some just get deleted. All depends on your ears!!! This unit was designed for electric guitar players, but acoustic players will find plenty to keep them busy.

Both need some pre-gig attention to find the sounds you're looking for, although there may be some sounds that work right away. I use my effects mainly when playing with my trio or in other band settings. Solo, I usually go stripped down with just guitar and occasionally a Boss Loop Station RC-20XL.

[recordingtrack1]

My pedal board is a DOD A/B Switch( for switching between guitars), Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer, Ibanez DDL10 Digital Delay II, DOD FS68 Chorus, Dunlop Crybaby. It has one empty slot right now which used to have a stereo Flanger that fried.

I use it sometimes with acoustic but not as often as I used to. Only when I am playing through an amp instead of a PA system. Lately we have been playing some block parties and it has worked out well going through a Fender Bass amp loaner.

RT1:)

[smast8]

Thanks, guys - interesting to hear all your opinions on what works.

I have much to ponder now...

Stuart

[AndrewGG]

I use just the slightest hint of reverb/chorus on my Roland AC60 and then only in acoustically 'dry' rooms. Effects are most 'effective' when used sparingly to enhance the guitar rather than swamp it in washes of delay and chorus!

[fingerpicker]

Effects are most 'effective' when used sparingly to enhance the guitar rather than swamp it in washes of delay and chorus!

 

 

Unless you are doing a cover of a song where the guitar was heavily processed. Example would be the bridge section of "cumbersome-seven mary three" or some Lenny Kravitz.

 

It can add alot when doing Rock.

[Terry Allan Hall]

To me, the key is to not over-use any one effect/combination of effects, so I try to live by the rule "Each sound, once per gig".

I use my FX as seasoning, not the entire meal.