6 ways to use an EQ pedal for better tone, & Fender Hot Rod amp tips

5 things you can do with an EQ pedal
-adjust eq after an overdrive or distortion to sculpt the overall sound
-bump up 6.4k to get a bit more 'glassy' of a tone
-Use it like a volume booster
-use it like a gain booster
-run it into the effects loop to sculpt the overall sound of not only the pedals, but the distortion channel on the amp as well
-get more "bedroom friendly" volumes without affecting the tone too drastically
Note that this isn't a be all-end all of EQ pedals, and this is demonstrating the Graphic EQ as well... parametric eq's have other tricks they can do too ;)

[@w1third]

I have to admit that's cool that you used pedals other than your own, kinda gives that unbiased review

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

I was pleasantly surprised with this as well. I've only watched a few of Brian's videos and don't really know of him outside of the pedals but he seems like a down to earth, no nonsense kind of guy.

[@dextermarlowe9750]

true! he's not out to advertise anything, just share knowledge all out!

[@frankcastelo6980]

w1third True!

[@daolchang]

yeah he often uses not wampler pedals, specially pedals that are very common or on the cheap side, which is really cool

[@JohnDoe-dh8xc]

I'm sure he's modified them somewhat

[@hippyjason]

All good EQ tips. But: "Look at the lense, dude", was the best tip of them all, lol.

[@azmike3572]

I think it happens when it's a two-camera shoot and the editor "wrongfully" puts in the shot where the subject is looking at the other camera.

[@jamesbond4633]

Man you are a genius...I bought the BOSS Eq pedal and hooked it up to my Fender Deville ...and it makes all the difference in the world..I can now turn the volume up to 5 ...6.....7....Was never able to before. On the clean channel ...the tone sounds soo much fuller ...and the overdrive channel sounds amazing!! Increased the joy level of playing my guitar a 100 fold..Gibson Custom ES335 and Japanese Strat...with a Wampler Delay Pedal .Great stuff!!

[@jeffmarchant4312]

Boy did you miss the bus...EQ is not the whole enchilada...

[@jamestoops7228]

I just bought a blues deville. Great amp now I can finally use it.

[@jamesbond4633]

@@jamestoops7228 I actually ended up buying one of those devices he said you could make. I am not that technical with wiring to make one. I like it better ..just has one knob you turn for volume and it has no power supply. I just leave it on top of my amp. It is black and doesn't look out of place. Very small. Just plugs into the effects loop same as the Equalizer did. Same effect...can turn the amp volume up louder. More control!!!!

[@robhanna3446]

@@jamesbond4633 Cool!! What brand and model is it?

[@jamesbond4633]

@@robhanna3446 JHS Little Black Amp Box kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2SwmoiIl7iaiM0

[@miguelhtp1966]

Brian's a pretty cool and honest guy he's not like other pedal manufacturers he shows a lot of his tricks he doesn't hide stuff in a vault like it's the secret to eternal life like other brands do...well maybe he does hold back some secrets but nothing like the other brands who'll try to convince they have a magic elixir nobody else has....

[@SimAlex20000]

bingo.

[@JskinnyG]

Josh at JHS and Brian here are both like this... Amazing guys...

[@tommyconancoates7097]

@@hygtfrdevgdsehy9166 almost every single pedal out there is just a copy of some older vintage pedal anyway, all stolen circuit design from ancient history.

[@kevinmalone8903]

Brian was doing these before Josh

[@doctorchalupa]

I know what you mean. He feels like a good neighbor or something.

[@ryushiroogushi]

I'm not sure if someone already said this, but using an eq as a gain reducer is quite effective. When you have a 1ch. amp and you love the distortion of that, put an eq in your effects chain set at low level, mid scooped to reduce gain effectively and tweak here and there to get your desired clean tone.

[@danielvalles9554]

大串龍志郎 dude, I haven't been able to get this idea out if my head. any particular eq pedal do this especially well, or should I just go for it?

[@Heatfarmer]

The Boss EQ is really all you need, its cheap, versatile and sound good without too much noise.

[@kenq7948]

Great idea

[@cebrinpitts]

The volume knob on the guitar seems so much more practical.

[@elvis_chen]

Lars Thomsen The problem of GE-7 is its stock Op-amps are noisy, change them will make it from good to great.

[@kfowler8]

Brian these are always very helpful and sometimes great reminders of how to use pedals in different ways. Thanks

[@stephenmcfarlane7961]

I am beginning to understand pedals and tone and just how making small adjustments can have a nice impact on your tone. I always get heavy handed with the knobs but your videos show me how to listen for the subtleties but improvements on thinking it through..great work from Steve in Australia

[@yarinankori6720]

the cool thing about Brian is that his an owner of one the best pedal companies he still demos gear with other pedal makers boss all the other pedal companies need to learn a thing or two from Brian.

[@abradfordajb]

That's 'Cuz he's KOOOOOL ...... :-)

[@RAndrewNeal]

Companies like Boss aren't privately owned though, so they'll be more on the advertising side of things, which I totally understand from a company like that. But I really do enjoy these ones like Wampler and JHS who don't plug themselves all the time.

[@operatingnurse]

I want that Tumnus shirt! Great advice on the Hot Rod volume control, too.

[@Zackabenariah]

Thanks Brian, very nice of you: I realized that the 600 euros of "bedroom gear" that I painfully put together could be replaced by an EQ placed in the effect loop of my amp. Very nice of you ... ;)

[@tomgnau]

Congratulations on some of the best guitar-oriented videos on the You Tube -type Internet-type channels. I salute you, Mr. Wampler Pedal Man. 👍

[@mitchellgoulla2232]

Thank you my friend. You are always very informative on pedals and amps. really get a lot of all your videos. Keep em coming bro. Your a big help

[@davidreid9632]

I am so glad you pointed out about looking into our eyes when speaking. That just kills me me to watch someone gazing off in another angle as if they believe it makes their video better. I agree with you and for that I am subscribing! Because for those who thinks it does, ITS DOESN'T!

[@matthewgould4464]

What a great video - really learnt alot from this and ive been playing for 30 years!! Thank you from the UK!

[@boozoochavis7506]

Way to demo this using pedals most starters and early players will have a direct line on, they show up all over the place and the EQ tricks are priceless. If this knowledge were more commonly discussed we would probably all sound much better - thanks for sharing!!

[@BobIrving2]

Thanks for those very practical tips! I never know how to use an EQ pedal and this gives me a starting place.

[@chameleon-dream-band-official]

Just bought my Boss EQ pedal, so these are great tips to know before I start experimenting. BUT running it as a volume attenuator in the effects loop to allow me to crank my tube amp without blowing the windows out or annoying my wife (the latter will always happen first -normally about 1 on the Master volume) is GOLD! Thanks Brian!

[@caleshtcincredibles]

I am going to rate this as THE BEST lesson using an EQ pedal on YT or anywhere else.....good one dude

[@a.j.garrett9639]

Another guy from Ontario Canada saying thanks for the trick for my Hot Rod Deville! Can't wait to try it out.

[@stevendurham9996]

Excellent! I knew there was a good reason I bought that eq pedal for my Hot Rod Deville 212! Thank You very much.

[@renanterezan9922]

got my first eq a couple of years ago, cant live without it

[@vegisaynom]

One of my favourite uses for an EQ pedal is to boost the 1.2k frequency slightly and drop all of the others to the bottom (-10dB on my eq), as this sounds kinda like leaving a wah pedal on in one position. The difference in output of the amp between this eq being on and off is massive, and can sounds really good for starting a song. I tend to leave the pedal on, play through the riff once or twice, then turn it off when the whole band kicks in. :)

[@STSGuitar16]

Hot damn, every one of those tones were wicked

[@thommeinert9072]

Great Job and Demo Brian! Thanks much. Great sounds.

[@jamescourt2842]

Looking at those sliders on 7 band funnily enough I have the same “curve” set up on my GE-7 it just allows me through my blackstar to keep that crisp but not brittle top end. Love Mr Wampler an all his videos giving such insightful information to all us guitarist always feel like I've learnt how to do something new each time I watch these videos. Happy new year 🎄.

[@chrismcloughlin163]

Love that eq into sd tweak. Can't wait to try that through my hotrod. Sounds huge.

[@daddyosink4413]

Dude.... I have been playing for 35 years and would have never thought about using an eq in my loop as an attenuater! Its brilliant, and much cheaper than a variac!

[@BrettPapa]

Great vid!

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I sometimes bump the mids up to get my lead tone instead of relying on a dirt pedal or boost for that purpose. Boosting the high mids can allow you to cut through without raising the overall volume.

[@duncanearley]

Great tips. Especially that last one about fixing the volume.

[@Strabbs12345]

Bee using an eq today and it's an amazing tool,for acoustic piezoelectric and electric, brings my tone to life

[@phildyerguitar]

Brian your playing is always great, really useful video!

[@wampler_pedals]

Thanks Phil!

[@patricksommer3971]

I once played an Hot Rod Deluxe IV. Totally fell in love with it.

[@drjonado]

I own the ecstasy....love it....I am really enjoying your videos....very informative practical stuff! great job.

[@waldvogelreview7755]

lol, the 'fizzy' tone actually translated into the mic fairly well. I liked it

[@caseyfontenot179]

Excellent video and thanks! I once had one of those boss eq's and eventually pawned it. Thought it ruined my tone haha. It's amazing how good things sound when you know what you're doing!

[@weepingBear]

Thanks a lot Brian! Thanks for the guitar EQ primer!

[@bottleneck1100]

Thanks Brian, another great video.

[@lucasshaffer3324]

Seems like an honest guy. A pretty good explanation on eq pedals.

[@pepperlong1726]

If you happen to see this, I Just recently found your channel while looking for a solution to the Fender Deville "all or nothing" volume issue. I was originally thinking I had to buy an attenuator, but your video on a putting a volume knob in the loop saved me a ton of money. Thanks for that! Also, Thanks for sharing so much great info, tips and tricks. Sincerely - A new subscriber and fan. Ps. I look forward to perusing your channel for other great content.

[@wagnernoise]

Great tips Brian, now I need an Eq pedal :)

[@RudyAyoub]

Wagner Rosa i'm giving away mine soon

[@2beJT]

Why? My Boss EQ is one of the most useful pedals I have. It's a volume boost, you can adjust for different cabinets or to sit better in a mix. It's just so transparent I can't find really any fault. Especially since used ones are only like $50-60.

[@MrUltraworld]

With fly dates becoming much more common, I always carry a MXR 10 band EQ, and a Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe. I run the EQ in the effects loop with the delay after it. I can completely re-voice just about any brand name amp with those 2 pedals. If you have an amp with good clean headroom and decent speakers, just add these 2 pedals. The Triple Wreck deserves a mention too for harder stuff.

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Ditto on the EQ.. What amp setting works best for the Pinnacle?

[@dawsondavidable]

Great overview, thanks!

[@adamcherry434]

Thanks Wamps I just got an Eq pedal Luv the tips Us no names benefit so much from the big names who share the knowledge on u tube - it’s awsome Biggest challenge is to not get overwhelmed with the talent overload 👍 Ad Australia.

[@CornSw]

Lovely video! Really great this one!

[@jamestoops7228]

Thank you for making a great video on how you can use an EQ pedall with a fender amp Now I finally have some idea on how to use one with mine.

[@chrisstocks5698]

Cool video Brian, keep em coming pal. I am a big fan of the old Boss EQ, makes my Rockbox Boiling Point usable (i can take out the massive mid hump), plus i can now use my Ovation semi acoustic into my Blackstar and dial out the un-wanted boomy bass to give just the sweetest tone.

[@macieyr7458]

TY, very informative as always! :)))

[@AndiKravljaca]

I use an EQ to set a live tone, using the Fletcher-Munson curve. It helps me predict what the tone will sound like when I play really loud.

[@davidtrevi2914]

Wow, unbelievable! Before I was just guessing. Thanks for the tutorial. BTW, awesome tone on that beautiful guitar and really nice home studio! Telecasters rock! I subbed...

[@samuelbiskin3416]

An eq pedal is a very handy item. I use mine for a clean volume boost especially on amps that have one channel. Great video

[@nealixd.3011]

Thanks, Brian. I have this Boss GE-7 EQ pedal. It really is useful. Thanks for some new tricks I did not know or had not thought of. I am subscribing to your YT channel and have my eyes on your Pinnacle V2, looks/sounds like a great versatile pedal for boost, overdrive and distortion. One thing I think this GE-7 pedal excels at is filling in the gap to control your middle tones on amps that only have treble and bass, but no middle or midrange controls. E.g., it works well with the favorite amp in my now modest, down sized collection, the Fender "Custom" Vibrolux Reverb (Pro Tube Series by the Custom Shop, of their favored features of Vibroluxes over the years, it is NOT a reissue series, but a Pro Tube Series Custom Shop creation based on the Vibrolux). I have owned a lot of monster and sought after amps over many years since the 1960s, but I find the CVR to be a great all around pro tube amp with simple but effective features, all tube, only 47 lbs. and global reverb and tremolo across both channels. Often overlooked. It naturally breaks up when driven hard around Volume 3-5 (depending on your pickup strength and aggressiveness) and is very touch sensitive/responsive, but it gives you all the classic Fender clean and warm tones too. It is a little noisy when not playing, but you don't notice it on gigs, and it really cuts through, even in some sizable venues. To me it has a very 3D sound, which makes the Twin Reverb and Deluxe Reverb sound a little 2D in comparative A/B tests. A friend of mine in Memphis didn't believe me until I made him A/B a CVR and Twin side by side in the vault of the local GC. 20 minutes later, he told me I was right and he was "a believer" now, ha.

[@brownpedalsbrownpedals4749]

Great tips man! Very usable

[@dumpsterchicken6287]

Thanks Brian. Good info.

[@tysonshirey1]

This was helpful! Thanks bro!

[@tjborekvideo]

GE-7 is like the Swiss army knife of pedals. There's great use in almost every rig. Thanks for these tips.

[@richardjansen3317]

Great video. It really learned me something. Thankyou.

[@wreckoningday]

Something else an eq pedal does is make your audio and video sync up in YT videos. Great video Brian, I'm a faithful watcher and really dig this new platform and content

[@bradconklin2878]

Great informative video, sir!

[@edgararias6601]

I have to admit I watch this every time i find myself thinking on selling my EQ box. 'bout once a year.

[@alexrysham3668]

i have been using MXR 10 band EQ for a very long time now. Just to replicate that "polished" guitar sound like in the studio. Tame out the high gain fizzy-ness and the subsonic lows that is fighting with the bass and kick drum. The result is , tight, tidy and meaty distortion tone, that never thins out but stay in the mix beautifully :)

[@panhandlegeardemos6837]

Didn't think EQ pedals were all that sexy and cool until I saw this video. Thanks!

[@toneseeker87]

You're a real deal Brian. God bless you.

[@lance134679]

Great video on different ways to use an EQ pedal. It's a great tone shaper. I wish someone would make a high quality two channel graphic or parametric EQ pedal where you could switch between two EQ settings, which would be handy as a lead/rhythm pedal, or to switch between guitars or between pickups on stage.

[@LBRSpeed]

As a pedal platform, amps using the EF86 pre-amp tube(s) are GREAT with pedals. Makes distortion/overdrive especially sound like part of the amp, and I haven't found a pedal they disagree with. I'm having a local shop called Savage Amps build me one as we speak (I live in Minnesota).

[@peterbrusch1493]

Very, very helpful. Thank You!

[@Nightingale1887]

The scooped mids GE-7 setting with the mid-bump SD-1 is a great example why it works great with a typical Fender voiced amp, same scenario.

[@SaxJockey]

I use a GE-7 slightly scooped mids into a Fender amp, it brings up the presence (6.4Kz) that gets attenuated in the signal chain (pedals/cables). I bought it to lift the highs on a twelve string (aka Byrd's sound), but I now use it most of the time on a Strat and often after an OCD pedal (which is VERY mid heavy/dark). An EQ pedal is one of the best buys on my pedal board...after all, most recordings (and KZbin demos) probably benefit from enhancing the EQ.

[@Dave1979z]

Was thinking about getting a Boss EQ for my '65 Gibson Scout to get more low end, now I'm definitely convinced that it needs exactly that.

[@TheJeffreyDisney]

Good tutorial. Thank you! I subscribed.

[@mygabrielle7477]

I never used a eq for years but I eventually tried one in the loop of my Elmwood Modena m60 and I’ll never go without one again. This amp is the greatest amp I’ve ever owned or played but I play a lot of EVH and was missing that old Marshall cranked to 11 sound. Finally tried a mxr m108s in the loop. Cranked the mids and cut some bass. Put a phase 90 in front and a little delay in the loop also an bam........ perfect David Lee Roth era VH. And I’ve learned to use it for other things too. I’ve always heard you don’t really need eq so I didn’t bother. But take it from someone who’s been a tone freak for 30 years it’s a killer tool to have and highly recommended. In fact if I would’ve learned about a eq pedal earlier it may of saved me a ton of money on countless overdrive and distortion pedals

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

I know this is an old video but man was it useful. This was excellent!

[@andybeisel5071]

Great vid. The Cheeto Orange neck on that guitar is hilarious!

[@zemyrbretas3247]

That BD being boosted by the GE7 just SINGS!

[@jonmorris9645]

I totally agree on the hot rod deluxe! I had two over years but just couldn't enjoy the distortion channel. I have a blues deluxe that I modded and now I'm quite happy with it.

[@tatianachinen2335]

Thank you Mr. Wampler for sharing invaluable tips with us! I like watching your content coz you help us make the best use of our current rig, instead of cursing them and being frustrated... I will try this Eq trick with my mid-gain 2nd hand OD to see if it can be boosted!!! God bless! ☆•°

[@rstuartcpa]

I got my EQ pedal after seeing Josh Scott hit on some of the same. But, what I've found most effective is to crank all the slides all the way up and the volume up too...into a tweed champ barely past the lowest volume and get the creamiest, rich clean tone I've every found. It's punchy and acoustic and when mic'ed it sounds huge.

[@redduketeleman]

Just waiting for my GE-7 to arrive.....it'll be interesting to see what tones I can come up with using my Fender Prod-Junior IV. Thanks for this vid Mr W

[@vernal6944]

I use the the Bass version of the Boss EQ on my clean strat sounds to boost the Bass and make the sound more full with more depth. They say on the Boss site that the Bass eq works great with accoustic guitar but I find it does great on anything that's clean, like my clean start tone. Truth is, Boss are most always quality tones that can be used in all kinds of different ways, like a bass eq for a strat ☺ Great vid Brian. I feel like your one of us but just happen to make pedals also. Very cool. 💚

[@erieschl]

I was literally playing with the idea of getting an eq pedal in my head and then this came on

[@deathbyelephantbandph3443]

You could also use an EQ pedal either in the loop or before the amp's preamp to "tune" to room, to cut out unpleasant resonant frequencies and feedback. Could really help keep your sound tight in live situations (if you're allowed a proper sound check) or for recording in an untreated room. Kind of like how (competent) sound guys set levels in a venue before a gig starts.

[@SaxJockey]

Very helpfull video Brian, thank you. Like your sense of humour (the dual camera presenters probably do not appreciate it so much 😂).

[@CaptPostmod]

I'm sure everyone already knows this, but you can do the same trick with EQ heavy ODs and distortions into each other. For example, I run a Prince of Tone which has a decent mids bump and rolls some bass off into a Big Muff which, of course, has a huge smile EQ. Doing that perks up the Big Muff so that it sits much more nicely in the mix.

[@ColecoJoe]

Yeah I always use another drive pedal as an EQ for my main pedal.

[@bengalvin9932]

WOW WHAT A GREAT GUY! now i need to go and buy an EQ pedal.

[@johncartelli]

just found this video...last year i used an eq into the fx loop on my blues deluxe reissue and cut the volume as you showed works wonders on keeping the amp manageable....

[@jasong546]

I love my Velvet Fuzz, and Tumnus, but I really like the boss pedals I have had to. Nice video Mr. Wampler

[@GraffitiPhysical]

Great chops.

[@richardgallo3155]

Best quick eq video on YT 👍

[@wampler_pedals]

+Richard Gallo thanks! 😊

[@gunslinger80sguitars]

Cool tips, I like my eq through fx loop

[@jamesbond4633]

ahh cool..I commented on another video about making something for these Hot Rod Amps but this is a great suggestion. I have one ..and yes....the volume is soooo loud at 2 or so .....Great fix..I am going to go and buy an EQ pedal 1st thing. Can't wait to see what the boost channel sounds like with your tips!!!

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Great advice. Many thanks :)

[@joshhicks8572]

Thanks so much!! Def getting an eq for my katana

[@kevinmcguinness1113]

You know that there are separate 10-band EQ and parametric EQ already built in to the Katana, accessed via the Tone Studio and configurable per channel ? There's also a configurable global EQ setting that sits over the top of everything.

[@TopTossen]

Really cool trick with putting the EQ in the effect loop (wasn't even aware that the preamp in/out acted like an fx loop), I have the same issue with the Hot Rod being really loud with the volume on 2 even when plugged into the -6db input.

[@edwardpramuk7654]

good ideas, esp on using EQ w/amp, my old old boogie lead channel runs a lot like the way he is describing his amp, will definitely be giving that a try

[@antoniobelloguitar6461]

Brian Thanks to share this info...!

[@Cymbaline713]

Tip #7: Use it in the effects loop with the sliders relatively flat, boost the level, and use it as a solo boost. Or, boost the mids a bit and not only will your solo be louder, it will cut out in front of the band more.

[@gregmock6808]

Great content....I have a Hot Rod Deluxe reissue and never thaought to use a volume pedal or EQ....I have the EQ and Blues driver on my pedalboard but it's easy to pick up another EQ ...now I put an old analog delay in the loop..seems a lot cleaner than using an outboard intenuator or something like that.

[@Nightsat44]

Thank you! That was great!

[@marcohermans3207]

Thanks for the GAS again.... I'm using a clean boost which I build myself and it does the trick. An EQ pedal is more versitale I think. My Marshall JMP 50 watt 2x12 combo sounds awesome at higher volumes but at lower volumes (small clubs) It's too much treble and less mids and lows. Maybe an EQ pedal can compensate for that. Unfortunately it has no effects loop. I don't want to modify my Marshall yet because I wanna keep it original. It's nice to see you demonstrate other brands and give us tricks and tips. Very useful. Thanks.

[@johnsimmons6136]

Good information. Thank you.

[@gonzoengineering4894]

Tip number 7: getting two channel sounds out of a single channel amp I figured out that my favorite clean tones were from dirty amps with the input volume rolled off. It wasn't long before I realized an EQ would take the guesswork and misteps out of a volume pedal, and it wasn't long after that I figured out I could fine tune my clean tone as radically as I wanted to.