Choosing the right combination of vintage and new guitar pedals and effects can create an original and unique sound that will set any guitarist apart from the crowd. Let's face it, they're are millions of aspiring guitar heroes out there, but only a few of them will ever develop a unique sound and style that will make them stand out.
If you think about some of the famous guitar heroes of today or yesterday, you will begin to notice a trend: every superstar guitarist has their own uniquely identifiable sound, and the types of FX pedals they use often contribute greatly to their originality.
When you think about it, many great guitarists use the same guitars and amps and everyone else-- so what gives them their own special sound? A lot of times it's down to the effects they use. In fact, the types of stomp boxes and signal processors you use in your guitar rig largely determine what your sound will be.
It's ironic in a way that pro guitarists will spend many thousands of dollars on state-of-the-art guitars and amplifiers, but the humble FX box will usually have more of an impact on your guitar sound, and the sound of your band, than any of these other elements.
These days, the most coveted stomp boxes tend to be the vintage or "classic" units from the 60s or 70s. But there are also modern classics-in-the-making appearing every year, including many of the so-called "boutique pedals" produced by a variety of smaller companies around the world, and usually dedicated to creating one specific sound.
Although these "boutique guitar pedals" tend to be quite expensive, the difference they make in your sound can be incredible. Manufacturers such as Fulltone, Frantone or MJM are just a few examples of the new generation of hand-made, custom wired-boutique guitar effects for the discriminating player.
And although prices for many of these custom FX pedals can be pretty high, it is also possible to find used models for sale, or even bid on used pedals at online auctions. This can result in you getting an extremely high-end custom pedal for about the same money as a new mass-produced model-- or even less.
And when it comes to effects, the further you get away from the mass produced units, the more unique and characteristic your sound will be. After all, if you're using the same "big-name" mass-produced FX as everyone else, you're pretty much going to sound like everyone else -- and certainly no self-respecting guitar player wants that.
Besides the so-called boutique pedals, you can also find a lot of the old 60s and 70s vintage effects for sale, or up for auction online. Of course, it is important to consider the condition that the unit is in before making a bid. You have to remember that these pedals will be 30 or more years old sometimes, and have probably already seen a lifetime of wear and tear before they come into your possession.
Still, buying vintage pedals can be a good deal, and when you consider how much sturdier things were built in the 60s and 70s, it's not surprising at all that you see many of the old classics on stage today.
Pedals like the original Univibe, Fuzz Face or Cry Baby Wah continue to be highly sought after, and as long as they've been decently cared for, they are likely to last another 30 or 40 years.
When searching for your own unique sound as a guitarist, remember, modern mass-produced guitar pedals can be reliable and a good value, but you will sacrifice originality and uniqueness of tone by using these mainstream FX.
All guitarists are searching for their own original sound, and using boutique guitar pedals is one popular way to insure that you stand out from the crowd. Unlike mass-produced guitar pedals, boutique pedals are usually made by small independent workshops, and most often, the pedals are hand-made and numbered.
While the large manufacturers can usually sell guitar effects pedals cheaper, small boutique pedal companies specialize in individuality and attention to detail in their effects. Companies such as Carl Martin, Divided by 13, Fulltone, Keeley and Red Witch are all smaller boutique manufacturers, dedicated exclusively to producing outstanding guitar tone.
As you might expect, small companies that hand build guitar pedals usually charge more for their products, but many pro guitarists insist that the higher price of boutique pedals is justified because of their quality and originality of tone.
As well as the small guitar workshops, boutique pedals are also produced by a few larger companies such as Electro Harmonix and Huges & Kettner. These medium-size manufacturers manage to avoid being labeled as mass producers of guitar effects because of their stellar reputations, and their attention to detail in producing quirky, non-traditional guitar effects.
Boutique guitar pedals come in many different flavors, from swirling chorus effects, to vintage, hand-built overdrive units. Primarily, most of these high-end effects are influenced by the vintage guitar pedals of the 1960s and 70s. For example, many boutique pedal manufacturers sell replications of rare 1960s pedals.
And though the prices of these units tend to be much higher than standard mass-produced guitar effects, when you consider the rarity of these 60s era pedals, and the fact that many of them will be in poor condition after all these years, it can actually make much more sense to buy a replication of a classic pedal than the original.
In a way, the trend toward using boutique guitar pedals is a reaction to the overly commercial music of the past few decades. Guitarists use these unusual and unique sounding "stomp boxes" to create an entirely different palette of sounds.
By using exotic guitar pedals, artists are able to shape the sound of a music to a far greater degree, and avoid the bland same-ness of much commercial music these days.
But as well is sounding unique, boutique guitar pedals are also small, functional works of art. Many boutique pedals are actually hand-painted and hand-labeled, ensuring that no two will look like. Boutique pedal producers such as Zvex are a good example of this. All of their pedals feature vintage analog knobs and foot switches, and are decorated with hand-painted symbols and icons.
So when a guitarist buys a boutique pedal, they are buying something very different from a mass produced multi-effects gadget; they are buying a unique piece of history that has been handcrafted and tested in a small workshop to perform to the highest standards, and create a totally unique sound.
There's no doubt about it: these pedals cost more than mass-produced units from the big names, but you can also find them on auction for about the same price as a bland, mass-produced effects pedal. And when you consider the originality and inspiration you will gain by using boutique guitar pedals, it's easy to see why they are becoming more and more popular everyday.