At The Fellowship of Acoustics we simply love wood. How it sounds, how it smells, how it feels and the way it looks: we think it's beautiful and there is little that can compete with the sound of a beautifully built instrument captured with a for that extra layer that you need to get that great guitar sound in the mix. And much, much more!.
But sometimes you find yourself in situations that quickly get you into trouble with a microphone. You might be in a certain room or setting where it is just not possible to get your acoustic sound the way you like to hear it yourself.
By cleverly using the right effects, your guitar can sound more natural. In that respect, stomp boxes or effect pedals for acoustic guitars are a bit like make-up: in very bright studio light you don't look like yourself without make-up, but more like a ghost. Put a little foundation and powder on your face and you look more 'natural' and way better. That's how it works with effects pedals and, for example, LR Baggs has released the Align Series for that extra layer that you need to get that great guitar sound in the mix. And much, much more!
Because you can also go wild with effects! Just look at acoustic virtuoso Billy Strings.
The most popular effect pedals for acoustic guitars
So, if you're looking for the perfect way to amplify your acoustic guitar and enhance your sound, effect pedals are a great option. Three of the most popular effects for acoustic guitars are reverb, chorus and delay.
Reverb for acoustic guitars
Reverb adds room to your guitar sound, and that makes your guitar's sound fuller and more spacious. There are many different types of reverb, such as plate, hall and spring and which one suits you best is a matter of taste and circumstances. Some songs require the reverberation of a bathroom, others that of a church or maybe you look for the sound of a galaxy far, far away. A good reverb pedal gives your sound the space you choose.
The Flint from Strymon is extremely popular for both electric and acoustic guitarists thanks to a very successful combination of reverb and tremolo for an extra dimension. Blue Sky from Strymon doesn't have tremolo, but instead offers more reverb options that also go very well with an acoustic guitar. Are you looking for a simple reverb for a competitive price? The effect pedals from Fender cost less than 100 euros!
Chorus for acoustic guitars
Chorus sounds more layered than reverb because it simulates the sound of multiple guitars playing at the same time. A bit like a twelve-string guitar in a box. The Maestro Comet is an excellent, simple and affordable Chorus that we can recommend to everyone. Are you looking for (way) more options? Then take a look at the Astra Modulation Machine van Univeral Audio.
Delay for acoustic guitars
Delay--ay--ay gives an echo or repetition effect. That's simple and very effective, because it does an insane amount for your sound. If you use it smartly, the recurring sound can make it seem like several guitarists are playing at the same time. Consider, for example, The Edge by U2 who is an absolute master at creating a wall of sound with one guitar and smart delay.
We can't ignore Strymon here, because that brand offers a wide range of crazy delay pedals with something for everyone. Such as a digital delay that repeats the sound exactly or a tape delay that distorts the sound a little further with each repetition for a unique effect. The Timeline van Strymon is an excellent choice for many guitarists.
Even more effects pedals for acoustic guitars
For many guitarists, the reverb, chorus and delay are the pedals that are first looked at, but thanks to our years of experience, we like to tip a few other secret weapons that can take your acoustic sound to another level.
Equalizer or EQ
Often forgotten, perhaps because it's a bit of a weird pedal that does not give you normal knobs for instant satisfaction. An EQ-pedal works more subtly with sliders that allow you to influence different frequencies. This requires some fiddling, but the result you can achieve with it is amazing. You can balance your guitar sound or make it stand out. That makes an EQ perhaps the most effective effect pedal for the least money.
Compressor
If you amplify your sound, everything will sound bigger. Also the less pleasant parts of your guitar playing, such as the dynamics that fluctuate a bit with everyone. If you play in the attic or in the living room, you can still get away with it, but if you start to amplify your sound, the dynamics quickly make it messy. A good compressor smooths that out, making your sound tighter, quieter and more pleasant. The compressor from Keeley is a household name and we highly recommend it.
All other pedals
Do you need your sound to stand out in some parts of a song? Then try a boost pedal. Or just an overdrive if it has to be even grittier. With the roar of a Flanger you step back in time and spontaneously grow a perm. Do you like to make loops with a funcky bassline? With an Octave pedal, you can lower your acoustic guitar by a few octaves at the touch of a button.
The point is: you can use all the effects pedals you want for your acoustic guitar, because there is no pedal police who say it is not allowed. Yes, the effects may work slightly differently than with an electric guitar and that requires some creativity, but they also offer you the opportunity to make a unique sound. Experiment; that might be the best advice we can give you, because if Billy Strings can do it, you can too!
Multi-effect pedal for acoustic guitars
Do you want a lot of effects without breaking the bank? Then take a look at a multi-effect pedal, such as the MX5 from Headrush. Maybe not the first thing you think of for an acoustic guitar, but they offer a lot of value for money. Dozens of effects and amp simulations, some of which are specific to acoustic guitars. Plus the possibility to expand this with your own impulse responses. One might get lost in all the options, while the other really enjoys all the soundscape options that are available. Definitely worth a try!
Want to try out effects pedals? We always have a wide selection in stock and our Fellows are happy to help you. The coffee is ready!