Topic: Advice on setting up pedalboard.

Here's the deal: I am looking to do a major overhaul on gear (new amp and new pedals and such) and was wondering what you guys would do in my situation

Because I don't really know what amp I'm looking for it makes it difficult to really plan on how to set up the pedalboard. SO... this is my current array of pedals: Keeley- moded BD-2, Line 6 DL4, Boss 65 Deluxe Reverb, Classic Crybaby Wah, and probably a Univibe soon. So my actual question is this: What kind of amp should I get and what order should I put these pedals in? I know its a very broad question but any help would be greatly appreciated.

My main guitar is a Les Paul Studio btw


-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry

Re: Advice on setting up pedalboard.

Yeah, that is a broad question! (Or two!)

    I'm guessing you're wanting to play Blues-Rock, because you're posting these questions on the JB Forum.

    And I think you should consider your Amp as the primary component in your sound(s). Even moreso than what guitars you use.
    So, I guess it really boils down to a "Marshall", a "Fender" or a "Vox" type of Tone.
    Marsahll types are like the Bluesbreaker, the Plexi or the JCM Series. Fender types are like the Tweed or the BlackFace models. And Vox types run from the AC series amps, to the many "Boutique" variations; from Matchless to Budda, etc.

    Also, the primary use of the amp will be for home, band rehearsals, small (Bookstires, etc.) gigs, church services or club gigs?
    This one aspect is probably the most important, for you to get the maximum enjoyment from your equipment.

    Pedals may come or go. But, there are some basic ideas you can use to set your signal chain up.

    With the pedals you have now, I would suggest this chain:

    Guitar>Wah>BD-2>DL4>Univibe>Deluxe Reverb>Amp

    Usually, Wahs go first. Then, Dirt boxes (OD, Distortion, Fuzz), then Modulation boxes (Delay, Chorus, Vibes, etc.).

    Also, if you get a Pedal Tuner there are a couple of ways to use them. Either first, even before the Wah. Or last, after all the other pedals.
    Many Tuners have a Buffered output. And this can help restore some signal loss from using a bunch of pedals. However, many players don't like Buffers.


    Saturday night I played a gig at a Biker Bar out in the sticks. Here's the pedalchain I used:

    Guitar>KORG Pedal Tuner> Mo'D Clone (Kinda like a Modded RAT)>MI Audio Blues Pro>Eternity Clone (Modded Tube Screamer)>Timmy>TC SCF (Chorus/Flanger)>Amp

    So, Tuner> 4 Dirt Boxes>Chorus.

    I like to run Dirt Boxes Higher Gain into Lower Gain. This allows me to get the lower Gained Pedals to set up some Crunch/Light OD, and then push that over the top with the Higher Gain Pedals.
    I use the Timmy to "Push" the Amp into that "on the edge" type of place. This is a great Pedal for that application. Sometimes, I can't turn the Amp all the way to the "Sweet Spot", and the Timmy helps me to approximate that Tone and Response.
    Then, I use one of the Higher Gained Pedals to boost Volume and Overdrive for Leads. Each one of the ODs I use has a distinct personality. And I use these different flavors to help cover the variety of styles I need to cover at the drop of a hat.
    The Eternity Clone is smooth and warm.
    Blues Pro is brighter, and sounds a lot like a Tweed type of sound.
    Mo'D Clone is a pretty rockin' Tone! Most Gain of all my pedals. More of a Fuzz/Distortion than an OD.

    So, by "Stacking" 2 ODs, I get a lot of versatility.
    No OD: Basic Clean Tone.

    Timmy: Light OD, edgy breakup.
    Eternity: Smooth OD. Warm Lead Tones.
    Eternity into Timmy: Nice, Blues-Rock Lead Tone. Smooth, Warm and Fat.

    Like having each OD as a different "Channel" of an Amp.

    Anyway, I hope some of this information is useful to you.

    Happy Hunting!

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner

Re: Advice on setting up pedalboard.

JBSRV wrote:

Here's the deal: I am looking to do a major overhaul on gear (new amp and new pedals and such) and was wondering what you guys would do in my situation

Because I don't really know what amp I'm looking for it makes it difficult to really plan on how to set up the pedalboard. SO... this is my current array of pedals: Keeley- moded BD-2, Line 6 DL4, Boss 65 Deluxe Reverb, Classic Crybaby Wah, and probably a Univibe soon. So my actual question is this: What kind of amp should I get and what order should I put these pedals in? I know its a very broad question but any help would be greatly appreciated.

My main guitar is a Les Paul Studio btw


-Eric

I'd probably seek out a non-master volume, medium wattage Silverface Fender amp such as a Vibrolux Reverb or Super Reverb. They take pedals really well and have phenominal cleans/mild overdrive.  The order of the pedals for me would go:

Guitar--Crybaby Wah--Univibe--Keeley BD2--Boss '65 Deluxe Reverb--Line 6 DL4--AMP.

I personally like the univibes up front before distortion because they tend to have more effect when placed earlier in the chain.  I like my reverb to be delayed, not visa versa.  A wah up front is pretty standard though some like it behind distortion.  Try and experiment for what works for you! wink

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

Re: Advice on setting up pedalboard.

Thank you both so much! I really appreciate the responses. I will play around with this cool

-Eric

"It makes it sound like the amp is about ready to explode, that's because it IS about ready to explode." -Joe

"I've come all the way from Colorado... Long way from my home. Give me the hammer that killed John Henry..." The Ballad Of John Henry

Re: Advice on setting up pedalboard.

I'd go to guitar center and try out a few amps.  Bring your most used overdrive pedal.  Ask them to put what ever amp you want to play in the private sound room and crank it up. 
I do this all the time. Its great.

Try a few of my favorites.

Vox AC15- Great Vox tone, Plenty of practice volume. Not a lot of head room on cleans.

Vox AC30- Same as above but very, very, very loud.

Fender Twin- Pro tube amps are great. I like the super, prosonic and the twin .  Very friggin loud.

Marshall Haze- Some people here hate it because its made in China, but if it sounds good to you who cares where its made.

Those should get you started.

Good luck. 

Buy a Fulltone Fulldrive and an Ocean EFX Texas Deuce too.