Effective Effects for the Pedal Steel Part 5 of 5: Amps and Overdrive

James Shelton finishes his effects series by discussing the use of on-board amp effects and using the Boss BD2 Overdrive pedal.

[@davidstehman1883]

very clear, accurate description of what for many of us has been a chore to understand.

[@STAGEVOLUMELLCMidlothian]

Thanks for watching!

[@larrydering1598]

James, great instructions and demo. I appreciate your teaching on this. Good tones out of that processor.

[@steellab-jamesshelton-impr5781]

Glad you're enjoying it! Ready for more?

[@butchhilsabeck4982]

Thanks for the class... Covered a lot of my questions... Just bought the Spark Positive Grid amp ... Great processer... But no instructions on all the gizmo s

[@rickjj91]

You are a fabulous instructor. Please tell us some of your music bio - when did you start on pedal steel, who were your early influences, what are some acts and/or records you could be heard playing with? Once again, THANK YOU for sharing your wealth of knowlege. Your instruction is awesome.

[@STAGEVOLUMELLCMidlothian]

Thanks for asking! Please visit James' bio and info page at stagevolume.com/james-shelton

[@steellab-jamesshelton-impr5781]

Hey Rick! Thank you!! Did you hear my new podcast? I tell my story there!

[@bso6371gt]

I have a question if possible. So, if you add this to your rig, are you stuck with the preamp in the boss? Or can you just use the effects from the boss and use your amp sound? Thanks!

[@STAGEVOLUMELLCMidlothian]

The MS-3 doesn't have a preamp exactly. Just different EQ options. When building a patch you can select Graphic or Parametric. It also has a Global EQ that changes the output EQ on all patches. They can all be left out of the effects chain. Or simply left flat in the case of the Global one. I don't use them for my primary tone settings. I do that with the amp. So if I were to build a rig from scratch, I would start with nothing but the guitar, the volume pedal, and the amp. I would adjust the tonality on the amp until I had it the way I wanted it. At that point I would go ahead and insert the effects processor in the chain. Without activating any of the effects I would see if the amp tone changed at all. If you are using a quality processor and cables it shouldn't alter your tone very much when it's bypassed. But if it does, make an adjustment on your amp to get it back sounding the way you want it. Then you can start building your patches. Reverb, first delay second and so on. The only time I use the EQ in my processor is when I build a patch like the one I call Fender 400. In that case, I need the guitar itself to sound drastically different. So I select one of the EQ's that are available in a patch and crank the treble while scooping the bass. Certain effects themselves have a EQ option also. I always leave them flat or bypassed.

[@bso6371gt]

STAGE VOLUME ENTERTAINMENT Thanks so much for that reply. Totally answered my question. I’m definitely considering buying that! Also, what you built to install it on the leg of the steel is great!!! Have a great day!

[@johnmcclung4736]

James, did you mention somewhere in this series another pedal you use for rotary/B3 sounds vs. the built-in BOSS rotary patch? I skimmed through the series and seem to have missed that if it's there. Nice series! Keep up the good work!

[@silverknight1044]

Is there any more information for your processor??

[@Kapperman]

Hello, You use the Boss blues driver BD-2 to get the overdrive sound? Thanks

[@STAGEVOLUMELLCMidlothian]

Yes