Pedal Order

One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to pedalboards is, "What order should I connect my pedals?"

The key thing to remember is that there's no definitive right or wrong way to set up your pedals; it's all about experimentation and discovering how they interact with each other. Through this process, you might stumble upon some truly unique and captivating sounds – who knows, one of them might even become your signature tone!

Think of these as guidelines rather than strict rules. This guide is here to assist, but it's by no means set in stone. Depending on the specific pedals you have, you might want to mix things up. Take each pedal, try different orders, and explore until you discover the sound you adore. It may take some time, but the payoff is worth it in the end.

With that said, here's a general pedal order we suggest:

  1. Fuzz
  2. Wah (more on this later)
  3. Octave/Pitch
  4. Compression
  5. Boost
  6. Overdrive
  7. Distortion
  8. Modulation
  9. Delay
  10. Reverb

Here are a few additional factors to consider when arranging your pedalboard:

  • Position the compression pedal after your gain section (which includes drives and boosts). While some prefer to place overdrives before compression, it can introduce more noise.

  • Experiment with the placement of your modulation, delay, and reverb effects to create different sounds. For instance, placing reverb before tremolo can yield tremolo'd reverb. Try putting chorus after delay for a chorus'd delay effect, and so on.

  • Test different combinations of boosts, overdrives, and distortion pedals to explore the various tonal possibilities when stacking multiple gain pedals together.

  • Many guitarists place UniVibes before overdrives on their boards, even though they fall under the "modulation" category. This can enhance their sound, especially since UniVibes date back to 1967 and pair well with modern overdrives and modulation pedals. You might also want to experiment with other modulation pedals in this position.

  • Buffers can be useful to maintain your tone integrity. Try placing them at the beginning of your chain (right after the fuzz section) or at the end of your pedal chain if you notice any tone loss while playing through your board.

  • The placement of a wah pedal can be a matter of personal preference and experimentation. Some prefer it before fuzz due to its effect on the fuzz tone and greater sweep, while others prioritize sending a clean signal to the fuzz for optimal performance. Buffer pedals designed to correct the signal from a wah into fuzz are available from companies like Foxrox and Area 51.

Ultimately, there are various options and opinions when it comes to pedal order and stacking, and you'll find more in-depth articles dedicated to this subject. The important thing is to have fun while experimenting with your unique pedalboard setup! Don't worry about getting it right on your first, second, or even third attempt. Just enjoy the process of playing with your pedals and guitar – there's no harm in being a kid again and exploring your sonic possibilities.