Pedals

The famous first pedals: distortion, overdrive, chorus, delay, wah and phaser.

Tier badges: Starter = first purchase; Step-up = noticeable upgrade; Serious = keep-for-years. Prices are manufacturer/retailer list prices we verified, or omitted - Amazon buttons show price only on Amazon.

Starter

Photo: Matt Eason, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons - Boss DS-1 Distortion

Starter

Boss DS-1 Distortion

First distortion pedal - rock crunch in one knob twist

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

DistortionTone and Level controls; the classic orange distortion since 1978

View at Boss

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.

Step-up

Photo: El Grafo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons - Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

Step-up

Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

Edge-of-breakup blues and rock overdrive

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

DriveTone and Level; tube-like overdrive that cleans up with your volume knob

View at Boss

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.

Step-up

Boss CH-1 Super Chorus

Clean shimmer and 80s chorus colour

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

Stereo chorus with EQRate and Depth controls

View at Boss

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.

Photo: Massimo Barbieri, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons - Dunlop Cry Baby wah (standard model)

Step-up

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah GCB95

Funk, rock solos and expressive rhythm wah

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

The original Cry Baby wahFasel inductor voiced sweep

View at Dunlop

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.

Step-up

MXR Phase 90 (M101)

Van Halen-style swoosh and subtle movement on cleans

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

One-knob (Speed) analogue phaserwarm sweeping modulation

View at Dunlop/MXR

Dunlop/MXR affiliate link not yet active - approval pending, not a live offer (placeholder): https://example.com/TODO-mxr-phase90

Serious

Boss DD-8 Digital Delay

One delay pedal that covers slapback to ambient loops

No list price listed here - we only publish prices we verified on a manufacturer/retailer page. Check the maker and Amazon for current pricing.

11 delay modesstereo I/Obuilt-in loopertap tempo support

View at Boss

Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, FretCompare earns from qualifying purchases. Price shown only on Amazon.

Gear showroom - Accessories - Total setup budget