Guitar pedals are an integral part of the signal chain and enable a guitarist to modify their sound. They can push, distort, modify, delay, chorus or reverberate the sound output from an electric guitar and acoustic bass.
Pedal effects come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple pedalboard add-ons to complex multi-effects units. They can be used by beginners to experts and have a wide range of applications.
1. Musicians Friend
Musicians Friend is one of the largest online retailers for musical instruments and gear. With over 1,700,000 items in stock and ready to ship, they’re sure to have just about anything you’re looking for.
They also have a fantastic rewards program, competitive pricing on general items, and generous returns policy. If you’re considering buying a new guitar pedal, it’s well worth checking out this retailer.
The best thing about Musicians Friend is their huge range of products, which includes all the major brands. This is great news for the beginner and seasoned musician alike, as they can get the exact guitar pedal that they want at a price that is right for them.
Another benefit of shopping with them is that they have a 2 year warranty on all their instruments, even the open box ones, which means you’ll always be protected in case something goes wrong. This is a great benefit to have, and many stores won’t offer it on their products unless you pay extra.
In addition to this, they have a price match policy, which is similar to their sibling company Guitar Center, and if you find the same product for less elsewhere, they’ll refund you the difference. All you need to do is provide proof of the lower price from a competitor, and Musicians Friend will make the difference up for you.
Finally, they also have a great customer service team, and if you need help deciding which pedal is right for you, they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. This is great for those who aren’t comfortable making a purchase online or aren’t sure where to start.
Ultimately, Musicians Friend has a fantastic selection of pedals from all of the top manufacturers in the industry, and their prices are some of the lowest in the market. They also have a great rewards program and a 45 day no hassle return policy, so you’ll be able to get your pedals back easily if you don’t like them.
Despite the fact that Musicians Friend has been established for quite some time, it still receives a relatively low score of just 1.4 stars from 184 reviews on Trustpilot at the time of writing. This can be a good indication that the website is not a scam, but it’s also possible that they do send out used or demo items that were previously purchased and don’t provide much in terms of customer service.
2. Musician’s Friend Outlet
The online music gear store Musician’s Friend Outlet offers a wide selection of guitar pedals, amps and other gear. The company also has a large selection of new and used instruments. Its inventory includes electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitars, drum sets, keyboards, MIDI controllers, and recording equipment.
They offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards and financing options through Synchrony Bank and Klarna. They also offer 0% interest financing up to 48 months on qualifying purchases.
Their prices are lower than many other online stores, and they have an impressive loyalty program for frequent shoppers. They also have a very generous return policy, which is worth taking advantage of if you’re not happy with your purchase.
One of the best features of Musician’s Friend is that they often run sales on certain items. These can be very lucrative, especially if you’re looking for a specific brand of instrument.
During these sales, guitars are usually heavily discounted. You can also check out their “Stupid Deal of the Day,” which is another good spot to find deals on guitars.
The company offers a 45-day return policy, although it is important to note that some items are not eligible for this refund. If you do plan to return an item, make sure that you contact the customer service department before doing so. They will be able to provide you with a return number and a return slip that you can affix to your package.
It’s not uncommon to see guitar pedals for sale at Musician’s Friend at very low prices. During certain holidays, like Memorial Day or Black Friday, they will have huge discounts on their products.
Musician’s Friend also sells used gear that was traded in at their locations. This means that you can buy guitars or other gear that was used by someone who lives in California but purchased from a store in Florida.
Musician’s Friend offers free standard ground shipping on all orders within the lower 48 states. This can take 3-5 business days, though it is possible to upgrade to faster shipping if you need your order sooner.
3. Amazon
There are a few places to buy guitar pedals from, but one of the best ways to save money is by buying them on Amazon. They offer a wide range of top-notch products at competitive prices, as well as some of the best shipping times around. If you’re a Prime user, you can also take advantage of some amazing deals that they offer during certain times of the year.
They have a large inventory of guitars and gear from major brands, and their sales associates are always knowledgeable and happy to help you pick out the best guitar for your needs. In addition, they offer free shipping on most items – which can be huge when you’re dealing with larger instruments and accessories that often cost more than a few dollars to ship.
You can even find a variety of guitar pedals in Amazon’s online store, from simple tuners to stompboxes and effects pedals. Their inventory is constantly changing and they’re a great place to go to find a new and exciting way to play your guitar.
While there are many great pedals available from companies such as Diamond, Wampler, and Keeley, you can also find some great ones that won’t break the bank. In fact, the company has a wide selection of inexpensive multi-effects pedals that you can get for under $50.
A few of our favorite cheap guitar pedals include the BOSS DS-1 distortion pedal, which is a classic example of what you’d expect to see on any professional-level pedalboard. It has a versatile tone shaping circuit and a wide range of gain settings that allow you to dial in exactly the sound you want.
Another great pedal for guitarists on a budget is the Flamma FS02 Reverb pedal, which offers seven reverb effects with True Bypass. It’s easy to use and comes in at a budget-friendly price point.
If you’re looking for a more vintage-inspired phaser effect, check out the JOYO JF-06 Vintage Phase. It’s a very affordable option that can give you some very cool sounds, and the reviews are generally positive.
4. Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the nation’s biggest musical instrument retailer, and has over 294 locations nationwide. They offer a wide variety of brands and products, including an extensive selection of effects pedals.
Effects pedals are a popular choice for guitarists, as they provide a range of different tones that can be used to add depth and character to your sound. The most common types of effects pedals include distortion or overdrive, wah-wah, phaser, reverb, chorus, and flanger.
You can also buy effects pedals that are designed to give you a wide range of sonic possibilities, like tremolo and vibrato. These two types of pedals can help you stomp out a range of rhythmic riffs, from simple pitch bends to whirling noises that take you from “Crimson and Clover” to “Howlin’ for You.”
In addition to the vast selection of pedals available at Guitar Center, they also offer some fantastic deals on new gear. For example, if you purchase a guitar from them and trade it in within 45 days, they’ll give you back the full amount. They even have a credit card that they process through Synchrony Bank, which offers up to 48 months at 0% interest on qualifying purchases, as well as 5% back in rewards.
If you’re looking to sell your guitar or other gear, it’s important to understand that the amount you receive in cash will vary depending on the condition of your equipment. Some older instruments, such as analog synthesizers, will lose value quickly when sold to someone else. This is because they haven’t been in use for long enough to have much demand, and thus can’t be resold for as much money as newer models.
Another thing to consider is the price you’d receive if you were to sell your gear independently through ads online or through a classified, such as Craigslist or Reverb. These methods are more labor-intensive than a trade-in to GC, and will often require additional shipping costs.
In general, though, it’s a good idea to take your gear to a Guitar Center store for evaluation. They will evaluate your equipment, and then will give you an estimate of how much it’s worth in trade-in value or for cash. This is a great way to get some extra cash without having to go through the hassle of selling your gear online or on a classified.