Effects and their holy grails

[ndrly]

I've realised that for every effect, there is a holy grail.

Examples...

Distortion-ProCo RAT
Overdrive-Ibanez Tube Screamer
Fuzz-Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face
Phaser-MXR Phase 90
Wah-Vox V847
Envelope Filter-Musitronics Mu-Tron III
Vibe-Univox Univibe
Talk box-Heil Talk Box
Tremolo-Dallas-Arbiter Trem Face/Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator
Compressor-MXR Dynacomp
Noise gate-Rocktron
Delay-Maestro Tape Echo
Chorus-BOSS CE-1
Reverb-The spring reverb in most amplifiers
Flanger-A/DA Flanger
Octaver-Tycobrahe/Roger Mayer Octavia
Pitch shifter-Digitech WH-1

But of course, there are those out there who like the effect, but don't strive for authenticity. Hence the fact that there are actually effects out there that do more than simulate the sound...

Fuzz-Dallas-Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
Wah-Dunlop Crybaby
Envelope Filter-Electro-Harmonix Q-Tron
Vibe-KR Megavibe
Talk box-Rocktron Banshee
Tremolo-Dallas-Arbiter Trem Face/Demeter TRM-1 Tremulator
Delay-BOSS DD-3
Chorus-BOSS CE-5
Reverb-BOSS RV-5
Flanger-BOSS BF-3
Pitch shifter-Digitech WH-4

However, if you think that there are actually effects out there that are better than the ones I've listed above, then please, don't hesitate to note them.

[Sean S]

I wouldn't so much say the list you put were "holy grails"...more like "industry standards"

[BellBottomBlues]

Basically every boss and digitech pedal you've listed can be removed

You've listed a lot of low-end pedals... Ever hear of Fulltone pedals?

You've also listed a ton of guitar stuff like the Ibanez tube-screamer. What made you pick those anyways?

[niftydog]

Lets see now... I own... NONE of them. Thank God for that!

[funkalicious101]

Originally Posted by Sean S

I wouldn't so much say the list you put were "holy grails"...more like "industry standards"

I would definately agree with this.

[Lowpro]

The fact that the Rocktron Hush is mentioned bothers me -.-

The Boss NS2 works, the Rocktron sucks in line with other pedals. Fact, not opinion.

And the Industry standard for overdrive is the Ibanez 808, the Tube Screamer is close but the 808 is the standard.

[Sean S]

Originally Posted by Lowpro

And the Industry standard for overdrive is the Ibanez 808, the Tube Screamer is close but the 808 is the standard.

Isn't the 808 a Tube Screamer? I mean, TS808, no?

[maxvalentino]

Your concept of "holy grail", or that of an "industry standard", is quite subjective, as is the practice of applying effects at all. The brand or model of the effect pedal or unit is of much less importance than the person using it. And, qualitative judgements as to one being better (or the rather unfounded superlative of being "best"), are at best speculative and misinformed.

For effects pedals, there really are no "industry standards" as in the more serious of side of recording and music technology they are seen as "toys". In fact, there are very few "standards" at all (Neve Preamps, LA2As, 1176's....maybe...but nothing you listed).

The whole holy grail bit kinda throws me.....one man's meat is another man's poison.

Max

[bongomania]

Yep, and more to the point, one basic meaning of the phrase "holy grail" is that it's something you have to strive and struggle and search to acquire, and may never find within your means. So applying the term to things that can be bought for chump change all day every day is particularly meaningless.

[DbNBassist]

Originally Posted by Lowpro

The fact that the Rocktron Hush is mentioned bothers me -.-

The Boss NS2 works, the Rocktron sucks in line with other pedals. Fact, not opinion.

And the Industry standard for overdrive is the Ibanez 808, the Tube Screamer is close but the 808 is the standard.

The 808 is a tubescreamer.

Also, I belive that more people use the TS9

[diechris]

[RickenBoogie]

I likes me some magic boxes...

[mjolnir]

...I don't own any effects. Does this make me a bad person?...

I'll agree the Dunlop Crybaby is fun to mess with on guitar though.

[JanusZarate]

I don't quite see the point of this thread... it's purely subjective. For example, many consider the Big Muff to be superior to the Fuzz Face.

In the end, the pedals that make the list are one of the following:

• A pedal made famous by a legendary musician
• An extremely popular, best-selling pedal
• A pedal that was the first of its kind for a particular effect
• A pedal that the poster thinks is better than the others

None of these criteria make the pedals on this list the "best" overall... believe me, I've come across some of these "legendary" effects, and thought that some of them were awful. Does that make them bad? Not necessarily. It just means I didn't like them.

So... this list isn't very useful, IMHO.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I don't quite see the point of this thread... it's purely subjective. For example, many consider the Big Muff to be superior to the Fuzz Face.

In the end, the pedals that make the list are one of the following:

• A pedal made famous by a legendary musician
• An extremely popular, best-selling pedal
• A pedal that was the first of its kind for a particular effect
• A pedal that the poster thinks is better than the others

None of these criteria make the pedals on this list the "best" overall... believe me, I've come across some of these "legendary" effects, and thought that some of them were awful. Does that make them bad? Not necessarily. It just means I didn't like them.

So... this list isn't very useful, IMHO.

+1

well put.

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by bongomania

Yep, and more to the point, one basic meaning of the phrase "holy grail" is that it's something you have to strive and struggle and search to acquire, and may never find within your means. So applying the term to things that can be bought for chump change all day every day is particularly meaningless.

Exactly for example Overdrive - Dredgetone Bass Angler

[sublime0bass]

maybe he means that these are the pedals that jesus would rock with

[dancehallclasher]

Originally Posted by ndrly

However, if you think that there are actually effects out there that are better than the ones I've listed above, then please, don't hesitate to note them.

You can't be serious. There are so many boutique pedals that people rave about, I don't know where to start. There are some websites where people complain about the pedals you've listed all day, or at least asking for better alternatives, mods you can do, et cetera. Basically the holy grail of pedals doesn't exist because people always want something better.

[Tomass]

Originally Posted by MysticBoo

I don't quite see the point of this thread... it's purely subjective. For example, many consider the Big Muff to be superior to the Fuzz Face.

In the end, the pedals that make the list are one of the following:

• A pedal made famous by a legendary musician
• An extremely popular, best-selling pedal
• A pedal that was the first of its kind for a particular effect
• A pedal that the poster thinks is better than the others

None of these criteria make the pedals on this list the "best" overall... believe me, I've come across some of these "legendary" effects, and thought that some of them were awful. Does that make them bad? Not necessarily. It just means I didn't like them.

So... this list isn't very useful, IMHO.

+2

But yer holy grail is a subjective term. If you really dig those pedals, they are the "tone" for you. Its the same with me and religion, other religions dont bother me, its when people preach and try to convert others that does. Dont become a preacher.

P.S i strongly dont beleive in any religion anyway.

[bassgod0dmw]

Yeah...I don't agree with you at all...sorry.