Where do you stand on adding effects to an acoustic guitar?

[Random1643]

+1 No instrument or sound is sacred.

[franchelB]

I have to have a touch of reverb for "my" sound. I also use a compressor and delay pedals from time to time in small amounts. I think all of these effects add to the natural sound of the guitar.

[Nailpicker]

I don't mind using effects as long as it isn't simply an affect

[slewis]

Originally Posted by SupremeDalek

Some songs I only want the acoustic sound...others not so much. I voted "Why should electrics have all the fun?" If it fits the tune/direction of a song, why not?

Well stated.

[jseth]

Since the first gig I played, back in 1968, I have wanted a way to have my guitar sound in the room like it does when it's sitting in my lap in a lively room... that present, that dynamic, with just a touch of room delay and a touch of reverb...

So, that's what I try to have it sound like when I play live. I'm fortunate to have two really nice amplifiers from which to choose; either my Bose L1 Model I Classic or my AER Compact 60/2. With either one of those, I work with the room sound to achieve that overall goal; a very present, dynamic tone with a little reverb and delay.

So, yes, I think there's a time and place for effects used to treat an amplified acoustic guitar's sound. Not really my thing to use a bunch of stuff, but that's just me. I've heard some folks use a whole lot of effects on their acoustic guitar and had it sound really good... just depends upon the player.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by johnd

I can't play and sing at the same time, but if I record each separately I wouldn't say it's an effect

The difference is that what you want to do is possible, what I do isn't!

Phil

[johnd]

Originally Posted by philjs

The difference is that what you want to do is possible, what I do isn't!

Phil

Sure it is, find a friend.

[varmonter]

If you were to sit in a large empty room . And I was playing guitar across the room.
You might say..wow that sounds beautiful".so natural.
But you know I can just barely hear it.".. So I plug it in.
Now you say "gee real nice..but just not quite the same."

That's how/why I use effects.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by johnd

Sure it is, find a friend.

I can tell that you're not one......so I'll just muddle along on my own.

Phil

[cat_guitar]

I'm a big fan of Jon Gomm. He uses ping-pong delay and reverb for percussive sounds, and a octave pedal for adding bass notes. Sometimes he even adds overdrive, and he sounds great to me!!

I personally think adding pedals to acoustic guitar can be a lot of fun if you know what to do.

[janmulder]

If plugged in (as opposed to just using a mic) I rarely run my guitar 100% dry ... nearly alway employing at least two effects ... EQ to remove some of the less desirably frequencies produced by whatever pickup I'm using and usually a very very small amount of reverb (I use the built in effect on my AER). And often if I don't add it, the desk does.

I wonder if the "Absolutely not, it's an abomination" voters, when they plug in, really run it 100% dry ... ie absolutely no EQ or reverb ... not on their amp and not at the desk.

If they can get a good sound that way with their rig then I think they are very lucky and I wish I had such a setup. I hate the fact that I always need to bring along my EQ

[johnd]

Originally Posted by philjs

I can tell that you're not one......so I'll just muddle along on my own.

Phil

You're incapable of disagreeing with someone about something this unimportant without taking it personally? No wonder you play alone!

[nrand]

When playing some finger style instrumental pieces, I often use nothing at all - this is because the emphasis is on the guitar.
When playing covers, which is what I play most often, I use effects sparingly on my six string acoustics, usually just a pinch of delay and reverb that is set and forgotten.
My 12 string often gets a little more treatment, in large part due to the total sound I am looking for, and to provide contrast to my over all sound on a night.
For me, I am more of a singer to be honest, so in these cases I am tailoring the guitar sound to support my voice / song choice.

[kmcmichael]

I use some and definitely a looper for the following reasons:
I cannot get enough volume using a mic alone.
When you plug in, you lose the sound of an acoustic guitar.
When you do a five hour solo gig, you want to put some variety in your set.
Electric does not sound that great through a PA.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by johnd

You're incapable of disagreeing with someone about something this unimportant without taking it personally? No wonder you play alone!

I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say then you shouldn't say anything at all. I guess it's a lesson that you never learned? People who argue just for the sake of arguing (that's you, by the way) are generally not worth arguing with...

Phil