Use effects with your acoustic?

[taylorman22]

Just curious how many people use effects or mfx units live with their acoustics. I have a Line 6 Helix that I used when I had an electric, but I'm thinking of selling it to fund another acoustic. Before I do, I'm curious to find out how people are using units like this, specifically for leading worship, or that type of environment.

I already have a good preamp (para di), so I don't need the Helix for that.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by taylorman22

Just curious how many people use effects or mfx units live with their acoustics. I have a Line 6 Helix that I used when I had an electric, but I'm thinking of selling it to fund another acoustic. Before I do, I'm curious to find out how people are using units like this, specifically for leading worship, or that type of environment.

I already have a good preamp (para di), so I don't need the Helix for that.

I use effects sparingly. I prefer the pure sound of great guitar tone. Effects can water it down. I use a little delay on some songs when I want the repeats to match the tempo. I usually use a touch of reverb and I have a compressor on my Fishman Platinum Pro Preamp although that may not what you mean by effects. I also have a boss waza chorus tha I use on purple rain or Stairway to heaven. So for me, effects are more of a speciality tool used sparingly.

A bit of reverb and occasional chorus.

[Julian Mount]

I use a bit of reverb, a graphic equaliser, a chorus pedal (dialled right back so it's VERY subtle) and a loop pedal (which I don't use as a loop pedal - I have some effects tracks loaded on it to play in for a couple of songs). I also have a tuning pedal (which, of course, doesn't do anything for the sound, apart for ensuring that it's in tune).

Having said that, often I play acoustic and when I DO plug in I mostly use just a bit of reverb and the subtle chorus effect.

(I sold the wah-wah and fuzz box some years ago!)

[Penrith Pete]

Interesting question for me, this....

I have relatively little experience of playing 'plugged in' with most if my performing being either acoustic or through external mics straight into a desk.

But recently I bought a Marshall AS50D amp for doing little solo performances where I need a bit of amplification. I like it but have noticed the following:
The amp has chorus and reverb which are quite flexible / adjustable. BUT, the effects are turned on or off by the push of a little button. I have noticed that as soon as I turn then on, the guitar immediately sounds more processed, compressed and 'electric' in tone. It has less colour and resonance, even with the effects dialled right back.

Is this a typical effect of processing your signal through any kind of effects or would this be different going through, say a high quality reverb pedal? I would be interested to now what people think. Hope I am not hijacking the thread!

I am tending to just skip all the effects in order to keep a bit more acoustic tone to the sound at present.

[Marihino]

Originally Posted by Penrith Pete

Interesting question for me, this....

I have relatively little experience of playing 'plugged in' with most if my performing being either acoustic or through external mics straight into a desk.

But recently I bought a Marshall AS50D amp for doing little solo performances where I need a bit of amplification. I like it but have noticed the following:
The amp has chorus and reverb which are quite flexible / adjustable. BUT, the effects are turned on or off by the push of a little button. I have noticed that as soon as I turn then on, the guitar immediately sounds more processed, compressed and 'electric' in tone. It has less colour and resonance, even with the effects dialled right back.

Is this a typical effect of processing your signal through any kind of effects or would this be different going through, say a high quality reverb pedal? I would be interested to now what people think. Hope I am not hijacking the thread!

I am tending to just skip all the effects in order to keep a bit more acoustic tone to the sound at present.

No, this is a result of low quality A/D and D/A converters that such amp would have and that your signal runs through as soon as the effects section is engaged. High quality effect units don't degrade your tone like that.

[Penrith Pete]

That is very helpful to know, Marihino. Thanks. In general I really like the amp without the effects engaged so still pleased with the (used) purchase!

So in answer to the OP - I don't currently use any effects but, with the right quality kit, my preference would be for a touch of reverb.

I also saw a great folk trio play recently in which the acoustic guitarist made great use of what I thought to be some kind of octave pedal that produced an extra fullness in bass. It was great for driving Celtic tunes. I wouldn't mind a bit of that in my set-up sometime! :-)

[YamahaGuy]

I have tried a mfx unit with acoustic and can't seem to get useable tones that are pleasing to my ears. In church on Sunday mornings, I do use a small pedal board that has (in order) a boost pedal, tuner, delay/echo/chorus (which I use as a delay), chorus, and reverb. I use a room reverb setting.

I have a larger pedal board that I use for concert-type performances and find a compressor to be a useful effect as well.

[zombywoof]

Nada. Even all the years I played a '58 Tele I only ever used a little slapback echo. On acoustics (and mandolins) I use single coil magnetic pickups though which allows me to use the amp knobs to dial in sounds I want.

[Athens]

Effects and gadgets are the reason I don't play electric. I just want to play, not spend all my time diddling with settings and trying to figure out what part of my pedal train is causing that buzz.

A bit of chorus and/or reverb the few times I play amped is more than sufficient.

And yeah, I do know that I'm a dinosaur and heartily embrace it.

[rokdog49]

Since I play in a duet, there are opportunities to use tremolo, reverb and chorus to enhance the musical presentation but I do it sparingly.

[Irish Pennant]

I'm not an acoustic purist and I don't attempt to be. For my creative side, every song has a voice. Some songs I use effects and others I don't. Some use it sparingly and others a little heavier. Some songs I use a looper and the melody I play over it will sometimes be heavily processed. Some songs I use a pic, some songs I don't. Some songs I use a capo or alternative tunings, it's all music. When I write lyrics, I don't write about one subject, I don't play my guitar that way either.

I have a number of effect pedals, I don't put them all on my pedal board at one time. The ones that seem to stay on there the longest is a Zoom A3, HOF reverb and a looper. I'm thinking of getting an e-bow to see what I can do with that, it could be fun.

[der Geist]

I practice only so i usually play a breedlove cut away or a Taylor T5. When playing the Breedlove i never use an amp or effects since i play in a relatively small room. When using the T5 i always plug in and use a Zoom A3. Fantastic little box and it makes the T5 sound sooo much nicer.

[Twitch]

If you are also a vocalist do yourself a favor and check out the TC Helicon 'Acoustic Play'. I've used one in our duo for a couple of years. It's a nice small box that adds real warmth to both vocals and guitar with a wide array of well done effects. I use them very sparingly but greatly appreciate that they are all easily available when I want them. I have fallen in love with the tone that the "Body Rez" eq gives to my Taylor.

[MiG50]

Pedal tuner is pretty important to me (I have on-board tuners for two of my three A/E, but still). I'm still looking for the right reverb, and I would love to add a digital delay soon. But my other toy that I love is an Electro Harmonix Micro POG. Octave up and octave down, I can play bass or simulate 12-string. I wish I'd waited and gotten the POG2, which has just a few more widgets for just a bit more money.