Your First Effects Pedal?

[Non-Digital Tom]

Mine, believe it or not, was an Ampeg Scrambler. I got it with my first electric guitar when I was 14. This lady was selling a guitar in the classifieds in my hometown. Her son, who was off at college, had played but had lost interest. After buying the guitar (cheap piece of crap) for $35, the woman said, "Here, you might as well take this too" and she handed me the Ampeg Scrambler. I asked her what it was and she said, "It's a Scrambler... I guess it scrambles up the sound." I got home and plugged it in... nothing happened. I figured it was a broken piece of junk, so I gave it away.

I didn't know effects pedals needed a battery to work.


What was YOUR first effects pedal?

[mustangman]

a brand new in box made in japan boss DS-1 which i still have to this day, when i was about 11, i really wanted a distortion pedal and didnt have any money, but i did know this little kid who was about 7 or 8, i guess. well anyway i asked him if he would trade it and he said yes and then i said for what and he said ah just give me some picks and a pack of strings (of course i had those things haha.)

[rooster]

Thomas organ co. crybaby with the TDK inductor. Got it for $15 at the flea market in Abq., NM. Pretty nice. Still have it.

rooster.

[avenerjimmie]

ernie ball vp jr. or line 6 dl-4. i can't remember which, as i got them very soon after each other. i've only bought five since then, and i'm only planning on three or so more in the future (give or take). of course, i'm sure more will come when i try to replace the dl-4 etc, but i try to keep it simple.

[Moe45673]

dunlop original crybaby, which I still use (and love). bought it because my guitar teacher at the time used one, and it was the coolest thing ever.

also, slash was my favorite guitar player at the time, and I wanted to play the solo for civil war properly \m/

[cvansickle]

I bought my first two together from the Mandolin Brothers catalog in 1980. They were Electro Harmonix Small Stone phaser and LPB2 power booster. Damn, I wish I still had these!

[37Hauser]

My first effect was actually two. I think it was around 1989 and I picked up a script logo MXR Phase 90 and a script logo MXR Distortion +. I bought the pair for $25 at a garage sale!! Now if I can just find that Dumble at a garage sale.

[ROKY]

Script logo MXR Distortion + ; got it freshman year, H.S.('81)

still have it .

[fatback]

Back in 86' I got an early, small box RAT, followed shortly by an Ibanez, Badcat distortion that my folks picked up for me on a trip to Japan. I still have both today, although the Badcat's input is shot.

[Unburst]

Not exactly an effect but my first pedal was a brand new TS-808, this was around '80.

I remember being dissapointed 'cos it didn't sound as good as my brother's Boss OD-1...

[slowburn]

boss metal zone. black with orange lettering, i think.

[Matt Gordon]

Morley Pick-Wah and a Big Muff.

[Jemlite]

My first pedal was searching for some extra OD as well... Bought an original big box Rat in 1983.

[DaSkip]

My first pedal was a Electro Harmonix Small Stone Phase Shifter. I bought new in like 75' maybe. I still have it btw!

I don't use it anymore though...it is too noisy.

[Layne-o]

Don't laugh: My first effects pedal was a Digitech RP6. I was playing through a Fender Princeton Chorus (SS) and an American Texas Special Stratocaster. Since then I've grown into effects and tube amps as I’ve progressed in playing ability and discretionary income. I've gotten to be quite the “tone snob!”

Sincerely,