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10 Pedals Heard on Countless Hits
For many years, guitar effects pedals have been responsible for several of the most iconic sounds of the 20th century. Guitarists have been stomping on effects pedals to level up their sound. Over time, some models have stood out from the pack and become recognized as the most coveted, the most influential, and the most legendary guitar effects of all time. They can be heard on hit records or spotted at the pedalboard of biggest-selling artists. With an extensive variety of guitar pedals out there—compressor, chorus, reverb, flanger, multi-effects, and the list go on—acoustic, bass, and electric guitar players can find one that suits their needs and budget. When it comes to stompboxes, there are tons of possibilities and combinations, making it difficult to imitate the sound of legendary artists. Players can merely try to match it by ear or create their own. To help them out, here is a list of pedals heard on countless hits and utilized by guitar heroes.
Maxon Phase Tone
The Maxon Reissue Series Phase Tone pedal serves up a smooth, transparent phasing that enhances the instrument’s character instead of concealing it. Do not be fooled by its deceptively simple single-knob layout, this little blue box is loaded with a host of the most authentic 70’s-era phasing effects users can find in a current production unit.
Credits to its extensive dynamic range and ultra-low noise operation, the Phase Tone is highly desirable for emulating the phasing effects heard on numerous 70’s rock classics. The secret behind the Phase Tone’s timeless tone lies in the fact that its circuit remains identical to what it was when first launched in 1974. Several “reissue” effects are far from true to the original designs, but Maxon has worked so hard to preserve the Phase Tone for around four decades. By tweaking the Speed knob, users can coax various expressive phasing nuances from the Phase Tone—all of them whisper quiet and incredibly transparent. The discreet circuit will not get in the way of the guitar tone—it merely highlights it, working equally great to spice up distorted or clean sounds. The Phase Tone is the best choice for those seeking classic phase-shifting effects that will not sacrifice their guitar’s signature tone.
MXR Dyna Comp
The Dyna Comp is arguably one of the most iconic compressors of all time. It has found its way into the rigs of countless discerning guitarists, including the likes of Johnny Garcia, Tim Mahoney, and Joe Perry. Whether users are looking to add rich sustain, tighten up their signal, or capture the clicky and percussive sound heard on countless hit records, the Dyna Comp Compressor is simple and convenient to use. For those reasons, this stompbox has long been the secret weapon on numerous pedalboards. Many players consider it an indispensable tool for creating their ideal tone. The Dyna Comp can still be heard today across different music genres, including metal and country. It provides a convenient way to even out the volume or dish out chunky, clicky clean guitar tones. The Dyna Comp features a streamlined two-knob interface (Sensitivity and Output) that lets users determine the output volume and at what volume the pedal will engage.
TWA Wah Rocker
The Wah Rocker by Totally Wycked Audio resurrects the iconic Guyatone Wah Rocker “Duck Box,” which has been a secret weapon of numerous pros. Many luminaries, including Powerman 5000, TM Stevens, Guthrie Govan, Bill Laswell, Lenny Kravitz, David Torn, and Stevie Salas, have used that diminutive funk machine. When Guyatone went out of business in 2013, the demand for Wah Rocker soared, and so did the prices on the secondhand market. Fortunately, Totally Wicked Audio decided to resurrect the famed “Duck Box” in the all-new TWA Wah Rocker. Spec’d from the original WR-3 circuit, the TWA Wah Rocker captures the slippery, squawky, extremely funked-up filtering of the Guyatone unit. Better yet, it also incorporates various upgrades that significantly enhance its performance and functionality compared to the original. The TWA Wah Rocker includes the proprietary S3 (Shortest Send Switching)—a type of true bypass that leverages electronic relays coupled with a mechanical switch. S3 switching guarantees that the input signal is traveling the shortest distance between output and input jacks, delivering the most transparent bypass tone possible. Incredibly versatile and super funky, the TWA Wah Rocker brings the iconic sounds of the Guyatone Wah Rocker back for all to employ and enjoy.
Joyo American Sound
The Joyo American Sound is configured to give the perfect amount of overdrive, similar to an alnico 12-inch speaker driven to the limits, adding a more organic distortion to an already saturated tube.
The sound heard on the 60’s surf classics as well as the 50’s rockabilly and country hits is the signature Fender clean sound. That warm sound originated in 1953. Some say the amp’s tone is dark, since it has less high end, but it boasts a full three-band EQ. This stompbox is also capable of the classic sounds of vintage Fender Amps cranked right up. From Eric Clapton to Billy Gibbons, that sound can be heard on numerous recordings. The most impressive feature of the American Sound is the inbuilt cabinet emulation, which allows the users to go from the pedal straight to a mixing desk, DAW, or directly to a laptop or computer with a jack to USB lead. Essentially, this pedal is a DI. Users can use it in place of an amp, and it can save a gig when the amp fails. The American Sound boasts the smooth, subtle overdrive one would expect from a Fender-esque tube amp near full volume. When utilized as a clean boost, users obtain more liquid or sonic gold. Fatness and compression that is unusual from a pedal. True-bypass wiring preserves the tone when the pedal is turned off. Quality components, pots, and jacks guarantee that the sound stays as exceptional as users get going.
**Voodoo Lab Proctavia **
The Octavia fuzz produces the octave doubling effect (an octave up) popularized by Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix. The Proctavia by Voodoo Lab is an exacting replica of the legendary Tycobrahe Octavia pedal, the model utilized by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and deemed as the most desirable by vintage collectors. According to his guitar tech, Rene Martinez, Vaughan believed the Tycobrahe pedal yielded the most exceptional Octavia effect he had ever heard. Vaughan specifically loved the way the Octavia sounded when coupled with a Tube Screamer. The Tycobrahe Octavia’s distinctive tone beat its rivals, including the well-loved Roger Mayer Octavio. It is the ultimate pedal for all Hendrix or SRV fanatics. The Proctavia features the same germanium diodes, transistors, and transformer-coupled output stage as the original circuit to create the high octave sound and outrageous distortion heard on classic recordings such as Wired and Are You Experienced.
Electro-Harmonix Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi
Heard on numerous classic recordings and iconic guitar solos, the highly sough-after 1973 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff is arguably the most desirable of all Big Muffs. David Gilmour famously utilized it in Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. Acclaimed for its excellent sustain and articulate string separation, the well-loved Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff is now available in a reasonably-sized chassis for a very reasonable price. “Prices of original Ram’s Head Big Muffs have reached astronomical heights. This reissue nails that classic V2 tone heard on legendary recordings and famous guitar solos, and does it at a price the working musician can afford,” Electro-Harmonix founder Mike Matthews detailed. The 1973 Violet Ram’s Head Big Muff reissue is equipped with several upgrades for ease of use. That includes true bypass switching, an LED to display effect status and support for a 9V power supply. Otherwise, this meticulous re-creation consists of an identical streamlined interface, with just three knobs—Tone, Level, and Sustain. It boasts the same saturated tones and will surely delight many fuzz enthusiasts.
Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
Regarded as the “Holy Grail of Tube Screamers,” the TS808 Tube Screamer is loved by many renowned guitarists for its smooth, overdriven tube-style full tone. Many modeling and boutique pedal manufacturers have cloned the original unit’s raved-about signature tone numerous times. The TS808 Tube Screamer is a classic, not to mention a must-have for the modern pedalboard. This green beast propelled into fame when Stevie Ray Vaughan utilized it to create his trademark tone. Now, those original TS808 Tube Screamers come with hefty price tags on the collector’s market. Fortunately, Ibanez has put together an unbelievable reissue that lets users yield the same sought-after tones without breaking the bank. The reissue incorporates the same analog circuitry and JRC4558D IC chip as the original. It consists of familiar Tone, Level, and Overdrive knobs, as well as the same famous standout square footswitch. Users can now enjoy the sound of the original, massively collectible TS808 Tube Screamer at a very reasonable price.
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe
The Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato’s thick wash, which permeates the landmark Band of Gypsys album, is definitely among the most transcendent tones ever recorded. Tone chasers have long been pursuing Jimi’s tones. To make their quest more convenient, Dunlop has decided to launch a collection of Jimi’s highly sought after effects, including the Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face, Jimi Hendrix Octavio Fuzz, Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe, Jimi Hendrix Cry Baby Mini, and Jimi Hendrix Gypsy Fuzz pedal. The Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe pedal dishes out the “phasey, chorusy, Leslie-sounding goodness” Jimi utilized in late 1969-70. Dunlop loaded the sound of a vintage Shin-ei model into an up-to-date, pedalboard-friendly package. The Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe incorporates modern features such as true bypass switching, a pedalboard-friendly chassis, status LED, and a 9-volt power jack. Create lush, chewy textures, summon rich aural colors, and reproduce the thick, transcendent tone Jimi presented on Band of Gypsys. The Jimi Hendrix Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato comes decked out with fun, legendary art from renowned rock artist Gered Mankowitz.
Vox V846
Many guitarists deem Vox’s iconic 1967 V846 wah as the epitome of the wah-wah effect. It has been re-created numerous times and can be heard on recordings from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton.
Well over four decades after it revolutionized the sound of rock music, Vox resurrected the V846 as the V846-HW hand-wired wah pedal. Its classic tone is unmistakable, but the V846-HW was not built merely to repeat history but to author new chapters in the future. As its name suggests, the V846-HW features hand-wired turret board construction. Each component, including capacitors, inductors, resistors, and the potentiometer, has been meticulously picked for maximum sonic benefit. The V846-HW also incorporates a tone-preserving true bypass. It leverages a vintage-spec Halo-type inductor to capture the original V846 wah’s vintage vibe. It is a perfect blend of Vox’s world-renowned technology and classic yet sophisticated specifications, exceeding any previous wah by dishing out the purest sound. The V846-HW is roadworthy, boasting sturdy construction and reliable operation. Its classic die-cast chassis is capable of enduring years of abuse. The high-quality footswitch is created by Carling Technologies to be rugged and dependable. The V846-HW also carries Switchcraft jacks for dependable operation and optimum signal transfer.
Boss DS-1
Ever since the Boss DS-1’s inception in 1978, guitarists worldwide have been adding it to their signal chain and utilizing it to capture their trademark distorted rock tones. For most of the three decades, the music industry heard this modern classic put through its paces on innumerable top rock recordings, from the Nevermind-era grunge of Kurt Cobain to the famed distorted tones of Steve Vai. The DS-1 is perfect for different flavors of rock—anything from modern to indie to experimental to heavier grunge-infused genres. That flexibility, coupled with its affordable price, makes the DS-1 the ideal choice for a first distortion stompbox. It is affordable, beautiful-sounding, and a great investment toward a proven tone. More than ten million Boss effects pedals have been sold to players across the globe, including such esteemed players as Joe Satriani, Dave Navarro, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, and John Petrucci. Boss effects units are known to be awesome-sounding and built like tanks.
