FX Pedals for solo jamming inspiration

LaCathedrale_UK

Hi guys,

I've got an amp and pedal set up that is very oriented around band-based hard rock:

Les Paul into:
Polytone Tuner
Mooer Yellow Comp Compressor
Klon-clone
into a Friedman Runt, then FX Loop:
MXR Phase 95
DM-2w Delay
Catalinbread Talisman Reverb

If I want to bang out some Whitesnake or Van Halen then I'm in heaven! But, when I'm a bit more chilled out and want to create ambient/droney scenescapes I'm a little lost.  I look at all the cool 'crazy' pedals out there from places like Earthquaker and some of them seem super fun, but yet others I can't believe they'd find a use.

Do you have any suggestions? I was thinking of a looper (maybe even a Trio+) but that seems more down the line of GUITAR BASED ROCK than anything else.

colourofsound

Bitquest!, Hungry Robot The Wash, Neunaber Expanse, Whammy or other pitchshifter, any Chase Bliss modulation, erm...

steamabacus

WilliamAyerst said:

 I was thinking of a looper (maybe even a Trio+) but that seems more down the line of GUITAR BASED ROCK than anything else.

If you get a looper that has both backward/forwards and half-speed/normal-speed functionality (eg the old Line 6 DL4 or the newer dual switch DittoX2 from TC Electronic) you can get all manner of lush ambient textures purely by over-layering multiple guitar parts.

Have a read of this post of mine from an old thread (in fact, the rest of the thread will give you loads of suggestions for wacky pedals) ...

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/775852/#Comment_775852

LaCathedrale_UK

Thanks both! Checking all suggestions.

VJIves

The Wash really is wonderful for this kind of thing. I also like using the Count To 5 for a nice bed of ambient sound between songs, or sometimes in the songs themselves. Using a volume pedal to swell sounds in is the way to go, you get nice, seamless loops when you've got no pick attack to worry about.

Branshen

You can set a shortish delay time ~300ms, max the feedback on your delay, turn up the reverb and use your volume knob for ambient swells. More gear can help for ambient soundscapes but you've already got the basics.

The only other thing u really need is probably a looper. 

If you are unsure how to swell with your volume knob, check out some Jeff Beck videos. "cause we've ended as lovers" is a good one to learn from. 

builttospill

EHX Freeze?

Fuengi

I use a couple of delays and an echo pedal, then reverb into Trio and then a looper.

The Echo has a hold function that I can use as a wash which I record into the looper in whatever key I fancy playing in. Add the trio drum on a slow beat and away you go with your ambient lead lines / paired back chords. 

Can sound great if you're in the groove. 

LaCathedrale_UK

@fuengi Trio or Trio+ ? It seems the latter gets all the love but it's bloody pricey. 

builttospill said:

EHX Freeze?

Maybe a shimmer verb rather than a freeze specifically? That way it can change pitch?

Fuengi

I picked up a mint Trio (standard) used for £50. Don't use shimmer, I find it too shrill personally.

Ben8010

You could probably get some nice ambient/droney scenescapes using the Talisman and DM-2w. Throwing in the phaser would probably add some nice flavours as well.

LaCathedrale_UK

Fuengi said:

I picked up a mint Trio (standard) used for £50. Don't use shimmer, I find it too shrill personally.

found a good deal on a Trio+ and given the rave reviews, figured it was worth a shot. Review shortly!