Walter Trout on why he doesn't use pedals

"I just don't see any need for pedals,” says the Strat-wielding blues rocker with a nod to his trusty old Mesa/Boogie Mark IV tube amp. “I have this theory that if you get a kickass amplifier, why would you put it through a $100 pedal?”
This video is also an article www.guitarworl...
NB: This video was filmed back in Covid - winter of 2021 or maybe early 2022 - and we were wary of giving anything to Walter when he'd invited us into his home. We filmed a load of these at the same time (please see Pedalpocalypse playlist), we were in no rush to publish, and we published one a month when we did. We wanted to run Walter's last because we thought it funny to end on someone who didn't use pedals. We didn't put them on KZbin until now.
For all the latest info on Walter Trout, visit www.waltertrou...
Pedalpocalypse is produced by Growvision and hosted by @BeauxGrisGris's Robin Davey.
For more info on Growvision, visit www.growvision...
For more info on Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, including news and tour dates, visit www.beauxgrisg...

[@whiskersb5296]

I’m so sick of people talking about pedals like it’s a moral issue. Who cares is someone wants to use pedals?

[@robertlange2089]

I love fuzz pedals.

[@matiasishere1487]

I love time altering pedals too. And fuzz.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

I’ve 100 pedals but I only use three!

[@steveturner5519]

Sometimes I like it wet sometimes I like it dry

[@biffstronghold3926]

@@KRAZEEIZATION lol, yeah...yeah. I have about 30. I use a Rat, an SD1, maybe a compressor, and a reverb if the amp doesn't have it. The others just sit neatly in the box.

[@-vb-1592]

"Now, check this out"

[@jasonb.7609]

haha, exactly! classic quote

[@JamesParus]

Not many can pull off the what comes after that.

[@mbudnick242]

camera cuts back to the interviewer as a skeleton with a mask on

[@jasonb.7609]

@@mbudnick242 haha, good one!

[@tonyred520]

Yeah.a total shambles..

[@mikegraphone2736]

Correction, you don't need pedals if you're Walter Trout.

[@robertstan2349]

you really don't them. just crank the hell out of your amp, so your power tubes are actually working and you'll get good tone.

[@sboy1955]

Got the chops but he would definitely sound better with a few choice pedals.

[@huntermediaphotography]

I guess if you only clean and dirty that’s great. I don’t play only blues.

[@julienguillaume5010]

No. U don t need pedals period. A solid body and an ok amp is what it takes. A little fun on a wah funny sounds here and there. But if your placement s good. It just takes an amp and à guitar

[@julienguillaume5010]

​@@huntermediaphotography You should, then

[@Rickyramos87]

I’ve spoken to Walter a few times and I’ve seen him live a bunch of times thanks to some old friends having a dad in his band. Walter is original. His tone is so one of a kind. That’s coming from someone whos been specifically chases tone for 14 years instead of practicing to actually play better. Tone is everything and Walter has it.

[@sharkair2839]

he use to play in his garage on memorial day. that was until they had riots in huntington beach, kinda put an end to that.

[@joeblough261]

Practice to play better and you'll find that the tone you've been chasing for so long is all in your fingers

[@umitanonymous3400]

"tone is in fingers" 😅

[@umitanonymous3400]

​@@joeblough261%100 Agree

[@Rickyramos87]

@@joeblough261 No. It doesn’t work like that for 99.999999% of people. I’m a pretty damn good guitarist and there’s a ton of toneS that I’m ok with but one that sets me apart is still and may forever be a dream. It’s just reality.

[@joeblough261]

"Turn the amp up... let's rock". What better words have ever been said??

[@brianwells4507]

George Thorogood said in Guitar Player magazine in the 70's, " all I need is Fender tweed amp on a folding chair and a good mic to the PA"!

[@BrettEPierce]

If I could crank a Boogie into a 4x12 for all my gigs, I wouldn't use pedals either.

[@tommym321]

Hahaha totally

[@tommym321]

I had a boogie mark IV combo it was only a 1x12 but good god it was so loud, on volume 4 out of 10, people down the street would go deaf. It also weighed about 85 pounds. Totally impractical for just about everything.

[@michaelallard2640]

The take away is to turn the amp up and just use your guitar's volume knob. So, if a Boogie and a 4x12 is too much then use a 15/20 watt amp instead ! I do sound for a cat that plays Hendrix, SRV, and ZZ Top material and his rig is an Orange Crush 12 (6" spkr) and a Vox 15R (8" spkr) both solid state lunch box amps. He mics them with an e609 and sounds crazy good. He has one OD pedal that's set more like a boost, a chorus and a wah.. Go figure !!!

[@jayeurgo1961]

Exactly!!

[@jayeurgo1961]

Again, this dude plays *loud* and gets the effects of overdrive/distortion without pedals. Not every playing style or situation calls for or allows playing loud.

[@TweedSuit]

Hey Roy, what pedals do you use to get those sounds? Roy Buchanan: I use three. Clutch, Brake and Gas.

[@brianwells4507]

That's the truth! Roy's rig, '53 telecaster, Blackface Vibroverb, and a good guitar cord! Which Roy had the amp on 10 turned backwards, to get the overdrive sound for Purple Haze or Are You Experienced. Roy would throw some beer from his mug on the hot tubes! You think I'm kidding? I saw him do it!❤ RIP 🙏 Roy Buchanan

[@stevensapyak7971]

5.29.24. 🎸Trout®️….. is among the top echelon of Guitarist’s❗️ trying to determine who’s the best is like splitting atoms🎯 ….

[@electricgoat7833]

pretty sure he used a dallas range master

[@knowmusicman157]

Walter Is a Roy Buchanan student

[@michaelr.4878]

It took me 30 years to figure it out..but after being a pedal guy for 30 years, I figured out that my volume knob is all I need.

[@sgtcaco]

You should try treble bleed circuit, the con is you will no longer be able to produce volume swells. That’s why I have 9 guitars.

[@maxwellblakely7952]

Exactly! I love controlling a single channel non-master volume amp with my guitar volume knob. And tube screamers, I love those too!

[@skepticalbystander]

I would probably agree if all pedals were only gain pedals, did you only ever have gain pedals? You can't get delay or phase or flange or chorus or a different kind or verb, or a practical usable wah or tremolo from your guitar knobs. Suit yourself tho,it's a free country.

[@georgerodrigues4638]

​@@skepticalbystanderit can be done-there's a guy on YT who demonstrates how to get effects by purely manual means. It's a helluva lot of work though when you can just push a button..

[@skepticalbystander]

@@georgerodrigues4638 do you know where I can check that out?

[@mikegraphone2736]

Ive been listening to Walter Trout for so long i can remember when his guitar was yellow.

[@kazkylheku1221]

White things yellow with age; yellow things brown.

[@dancingtrout6719]

is his guitar 71- 74

[@mikegraphone2736]

@@dancingtrout6719 The Fender Stratocaster that is his main guitar for most of his career was made in 1973 .

[@dancingtrout6719]

@@mikegraphone2736 nice

[@zakkwyldesliver]

I saw Walter Trout about 20 years ago. He plays really, really loud.

[@benallmark9671]

As he should

[@jayeurgo1961]

And that’s why he gets a good sound with no pedals. Try getting that screaming lead tone at cocktail volume level - not gonna happen without help.

[@melorogerio]

This is the opposite of today's guitarists: "I have pedals why I need an amp?"

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

Amps are heavy..dude probably has roadie's...I'm at the age..I'm like Nah...and I've good world class amps

[@Scorhos]

Or i have a laptop with audacity or another home studio recorder software and a good stereo to plug in. Why i need a amp or pedals?

[@huntermediaphotography]

Impulse Response pedals are where its at. I can bring one pedal to the studio that has every amp, guitar tone, effects and cab sims I would ever need. 1 pedal and a couple guitars to carry to record. Sold !

[@minkahl1644]

There are speakers and PA systems everywhere so better to just have the things compact. But if I had his amp&speaker I would want it to have inbuilt compressor at the end to make soft cleans and distorted volumes more in the same range.

[@Marta1Buck]

I don't have crew, so...

[@RJRonquillo]

I didn't buy an overdrive pedal for the longest time, because I too had a Mark IV amp.

[@gavendelrio9193]

What’s up dude! Love your channel!

[@maxwellblakely7952]

After playing many overdrives I came to the conclusion that they pretty much all sound very very similar. Except the Tubescreamer…

[@GregCombs100]

For playing out with high volume, I absolutely agree, play the amp loud because that's what it's designed for. I've found the only usefulness for an overdrive pedal is to get some crunch when playing at low volume, like home practice.

[@leovonfitzy]

The best guitar related video I have seen in an absolute age!! Thank you. Walter Trout seems like a great character! X

[@monahantp3767]

Love Walter Trout's playing, and man-- what a life he's lived! I suspect the interviewer wearing the mask was per Walter's request, due to his liver transplant several years back...

[@dano1234v]

Then Walter should have had the mask on, but ya that’s how people think you get the vaccine and all be okay 🤔

[@TheNoncritical1]

In that case, it should be Walter wearing the mask.

[@samstewart9249]

​@@TheNoncritical1When you visit Walter's place you play by his rules, check?

[@VexylObby]

I assumed it was part of the “apocalypse” role playing.

[@jayvallandingham2406]

Both should wear a mask if that's the case...

[@PedalPoopers]

I always find the "anti-pedals" argument strange and also notice that it's always an older generation who thinks that way. Thing is, there's truly a time for pedals and a time for none. I think being anti-pedal is rovbing yourself of creativity and experimenting. Pedals never held someone back.....

[@Dad-Gad]

Pedals never made a crap player talented either .

[@michaelgallemore7577]

Unfortunately in todays world clubs just won’t let you crank anymore. Trout gets a lot of gigs where it’s overlooked. He’s earned it!

[@timothyappling9172]

You're correct. When I played in the 70's through the 90's, you could crank it up and let your amp and speakers do the work. I like a little reverb and sometimes maybe a Wah or distortion for a couple of songs. Sometime after the turn of the century, rules and people started to change. Nowadays, many clubs have a noise ordinance, and some won't even allow a hard drummer. That's why I've had to experiment with pedals to get the right sound and tone and lately, even modelers. I still love and prefer to crank up a tube amp when I can.

[@Stratmanable]

Playing at volumes that fit the room is what good musicians do.

[@toddgilbert]

I play drums and we have been told to turn it down plenty. Blues clubs tell me don't play drums so loud. Funny when I got off stage some guy told you need to play louder.

[@maxduke1943]

@@Stratmanable I've been asked to turn down the volume because people must speak and hear what they say -- nobody is interested in music anymore

[@Stratmanable]

@@maxduke1943 You misunderstand the role of the band in a bar or restaurant. The purpose of a band in these settings is to provide background atmosphere so that people can have their conversations and eat in comfort. Most venues for music aren't rock clubs or theaters. They're bars and restaurants. Bars and restaurants exist to serve customers, not your ego. And generally, good musicians should never play too loud for the size of the room. Or so loud they can't hear each other. "Crank it up!" is the mating call for guys with small dicks, and the insecurity surrounding the problem.

[@tanker5207]

It took me years to figure this out. I bought a Mk II Boogie back when they were new. 1984, I think. I have since tried a bunch of other top-shelf amps, and about a hundred pedals, and I keep coming back to the Boogie, a cord, and a good guitar... Of course, I don't sound like Walter, but I sound like me better than anything else I've tried. 🙂

[@elcomberro123]

Behind every "i don use pedals" guy are standing all crew of sound tech's w their mics, massive soundboards with all kind of eq, compresors, and hq PA system.

[@VoxMax1200]

Well said about that. Bravo!!

[@johnlane9743]

I've stood 10 feet from SRV and 10 feet from Walter Trout as they punished the strings - both are equally as impressive.

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

I’ve had the good fortune to be able to see them both live in tiny venues from less than 5 feet and SRV was much more impressive to me. Music flowed through him like no one I’ve ever seen live. I’m not knocking Walter. He’s great with more traditional blues but he’s no SRV.

[@johnlane9743]

@@eristicfreethinker2098 luv the input - but as they say - its a difference of opinion that makes horse racing possible...

[@Rhythmicons]

For me it was about 10-15ft from Santana. We just happened to be standing right there where his spot was. He sat down on this little thing and played. We were so close.

[@mikaelbiilmann6826]

Saw Walther Trout Band 3 times live. Midtfyns Festival 1989 or 1990. We were walking around when we heard some wild blues rock and Hammond B3 and a wild wailing guitar. We hurried to the front and saw them for the first time. My friend who was big into Hammond B3s took oof his t-shirt with big Hammond B3 letters on it, and we held it up. The keyboard player saw it, pointed at us and gave us the thumbs up, took up his camera and took a picture. 😅 At the break he came down and talked to us. In a smaller festival that year, some people could get and autographed LP and pictures taken with them for the first 10 people that ran to another tent and got ahold pf the LP “Life in the Jungle”. I was one of the lucky ones and got backstage and got my LP autographed and took some pictures. We talked about the other festival with the t-shirt and they were so friendly. In another time, they were playing in a small club in Aarhus, and I had my camera with me and a flash. I was right up in front of Walther Trout and the bassist and they never minded my flash photography. Such nice people.

[@JimiHove]

Hi Walter. I saw you in concert 32 years ago on Midtfyns Festival in Denmark. You said something like that it was your first concert i 10 years, because of drinking had ruined your life. And you started to cry a litlle bit. It was one of the best concerts I have ever seen, and a great live record ws made from that evening. Thank you.

[@jmvmike]

Damn he can make that Strat Sing!

[@matthewdickerson6560]

Great dude, but I still like pedals.

[@huntermediaphotography]

You don’t need pedals, you need rack effects. Have yet find a way to make a clean/dirty amp get delay, flange, echo, phaser, or tremolo with no rack efx or pedals. I mean there 100+ different amps out there that built in effects. So yeah you just use your with built in effects and you’re “not” using pedals.

[@Dawg93]

@@huntermediaphotography I don't understand, you can easily 'make a clean/dirty amp get delay, flange, echo, phaser, or tremolo' with pedals. Even cheaper single unit multi-fx pedals.

[@zhou_sei]

@@huntermediaphotography if i had all my pedals and all the pedals i want in rack form, it would be as tall as the empire state building.

[@guitarworld]

You're allowed.

[@matthewdickerson6560]

@@guitarworld no shit

[@superstimulatedminotaur3681]

Delays and modulation effects sound cool though. It's fine if he doesn't like them, since he's a different kind of guitar player. But if you want to make your guitar produce crazy sounds that aren't just like blues music we've been hearing for over 80 years, you've got pedals for that

[@nunestunes]

Technically we don't need amps but just like pedals they're fun to have

[@patrickhawkinson8399]

If you are playing an electric guitar live you kinda do need an amp though. Yes pedals are fun, but if you have more than a half dozen, and are using them more than half the time, you are either an expert level player in a very dynamic band, or are not working on your own tone enough. Nothing beats a tube amp turned up to 11....nothing.

[@castleanthrax1833]

We definitely do need amps. They're the part that produce the sound that electric guitars are built for.

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

Touche;;'

[@zhou_sei]

we don't really need anything besides food and water and protection from the elements... and yes, guitars and vintage tube amps and pedals and aftermarket pickups are fun.

[@castleanthrax1833]

@zhou_sei We need guitars if we want to play the guitar. The video wasn't a philosophical argument about what we need to live. It was about what is needed as a guitarist.

[@robertcarey3383]

I agree with his premise: get an amp that has the core sounds you intend to use, and volume will control the distortion, I also think there is a place for chorus, delay, flanger, phase shifter, and various other pedals to add color your sound. If he learned to draw using a pencil, he would still be drawing with a pencil never understands why people want to paint using all those colors.

[@martin-1965]

Back in the 1980s I came across a 1978 Marshall Bluesbreaker in a secondhand store. I had tried dozens of amps, taking my guitar with me to test them, and plugged into this one and wow, it just sounded perfect from the first note. Simple, like me and my brain, and - unlike Walter - I did use some pedals like a 1960s Maestro Phaser and a Boss OD2 (seeing as the Marshall didn't have a master volume/gain) but apart from that, for years until I stopped gigging and sold the amp, it was all I ever needed. Now I have about 40 pedals (not all at once), a Headrush MX5, a ToneX and enjoy a quieter life recording music for fun and joy. However, if I was young and about to go out on the road again, I would look for an amp like my old Bluesbreaker and keep it simple as possible. Do wish the bloody thing didn't weigh as much as a baby elephant with the massively optimistic single handle on the top lol. I got it flightcased pretty quick as it was a 2 man job, unless you were a local crew guy at Glasgow Barrowlands. They are the best and strongest crew I have ever met - superhuman monsters and lovely fellas :)

[@huntermediaphotography]

Valid point. Back in the day guitarists used Tone Bender or some variation on that fuzz type tone. Like at the 1st Led Zeppelin or Cream records. Amps didn’t really have effects back except reverb and possibly tremolo. Those records are great sounding with no real effects.

[@a8anasios666]

You imply thats his playing and sound is inferior tho, it isnt

[@SenseiNWDA]

Saw Walt playing with John Mayall back in the day. Coco Montoya was the other guitarist in the band. Listening to the two of them trading links and feeding off each other was amazing. After the show, I bought a round for the band. After a great conversation, the entire band signed a guitar strap for me.

[@MrHellfinger]

I finally broke down and ordered a reverb pedal because my Mesa Subway Rocket didn't have one and I kinda got jealous of the Fender reverb amp guys sounding so good lol. Ran the verb pedal through the effect loop. Loving that sound, but literally, I played gigs for YEARS without pedals.

[@TheTwangKings]

You don't "put the amp through the pedal". It's the other way around. 😂

[@craigdamage]

"I don't want any of those nasty colors on my perfect fine paintbrush" ----no artist ever said

[@jaredcooper8158]

That's true unless you're using the effects loop.

[@henryuribe4322]

I believe he was talking about his guitar sound.

[@micktheman6]

He’s a great player and although you might not need effects for your gain I think fuzz modulation a wah for instance can really enhance a rock players tone and add a fuller sound many boomers don’t use pedals because of laziness to try and learn or set them up. Someone like gilmour or Hendrix without the pedals you don’t have their sound.

[@VoxMax1200]

Well said about David and Hendrix...And Andy Summers belongs there. I love clean chorus and reverb because of him

[@Poodleoop]

I’m a boomer, we don’t use pedals because we can’t bend over to plug them in or take them home 😬

[@micktheman6]

@@Poodleoop ha ha that’s a good excuse

[@nevcrank7179]

Walter Trout live at The Picturedrome Holmfirth ,Yorkshire, England every couple of years is one of the great joys of life. He is truly a great guitarist and he can sing the blues!

[@funkykoval2099]

Thank you ! I just bought my first electric guitar. It's very calming that I can still learn music without spending all money... Although fuzz and wah are great :D

[@strugglingguitarist]

Walter is a living Legend, Angus Young and Michael Schenker don't use pedals either, their still pretty good, both living Legends as well as far as I am concerned, don't judge a guitarist by his pedals, no disrespect to " That Pedal Show"

[@castorprof]

Schenker uses a wah and Angus uses a booster pedal …

[@vectragt2310]

Blackmore... uses an AIWA only...

[@strugglingguitarist]

@@castorprof I ran a google search that says he does not use pedals

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Add Eddie Van Halen

[@Lansoise]

Angus is a weak player. Kinda boring and overrated. Each track the same trick.

[@TheAndybow1964]

Would love to to play though a mesa 100 watt at the point of break up. Unfortunately my neighbours would get more than a little pissy. Guess i will have to stick to the King of Tone and a nice reverb.

[@davidwright9550]

Gotta love everything about Mr. Trout

[@archstanton3763]

First person I saw do the volume swell violin effect. I was a teenager and Walter blew my mind such a fantastic musician and man. Love him !!!

[@eristicfreethinker2098]

Volume swells. Watch some Roy Buchanan videos. Start with The Messiah Will Come Again.

[@archstanton3763]

@@eristicfreethinker2098 I love Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton, two of my favourites.

[@moose6676]

I have had the pleasure to see Walter Trout, and what a very modest guy 🙈 he is an absolute amazing, brilliant guitarist to say the least. Just make sure that you go to see him. Thanks for the video 🙏🏻

[@billwilkinson4012]

Love this guy's playing. Saw him in a club in Bristol, UK, absolutely brilliant.

[@CP-ij8hh]

I saw Walter decades ago in the Bierkeller at Bristol, my ears were ringing for a week afterwards.....SO LOUD!!!!

[@sweezyjackson4935]

What if you want delay? Or chorus? Or flanger phaser ??

[@alchemysticgoldmind4164]

DREAM...😁😂😂😂😂

[@zhou_sei]

play in a beautiful giant church and have your road crew run around with speakers?

[@theuserthatishere]

that's the point, he doesn't

[@TheNoncritical1]

@@theuserthatishere In that case, there's no point. When you're playing with basically the same sound on everything you do, you'll use an amp that has what you need built in.

[@user-uv1rr5xk8i]

His recording of going down is top notch

[@michaelgreen5206]

Love Mesa Boogie amplifiers too & have seen Walter & band at Perq's and they put on a great show!!!

[@FerdnandFreeholi]

this guy kicks serious ass

[@xstreamerzmcgregor3466]

Noisy when it's on low volume?

[@StrikeValkyrie]

HOLY CRAP THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!

[@Mission2Transition641]

great to see him still ripping on the Strat, age 73!

[@lashashapira3406]

great guitarist , played with John Mayall

[@barrypeak1460]

my wife and i saw Walter play live at The Live Rooms Chester 2022.a blast, thanks Walter,top bloke.

[@monkeyrater]

I used to see Walter at Perq's in Huntington Beach back in the late 80s. I wish to god I had bootlegs of how he played back then.

[@doccthomas9842]

Was there, free admission before 9. Those were the days

[@michaelbreshears5921]

Me too! He had a banner behind the drums that read something like: ‘If it’s too loud, get the F Out!’ He played so dangerously - every note meant something! Seriously Great 👍 😮we are lucky to see him at Perqs! 🤠

[@toddgilbert]

I notice he isn't using his pinky. When I saw him it was wrapped in a large bandage. I wonder if he damaged it somehow?

[@shreder75]

What's with the face diaper?

[@AdamEmerson1420]

I know I thought the same

[@hulldanfan]

The description states that this was in Covid and the interviewer came into Walter's home. Do some research on Walter's life threatening health problems and the appalling behaviour of American medical insurance companies that led thousands of his fans to contribute, via prize draws. benefit concerts, crowdfunding etc. to try and save his life.

[@johnlowe-tq6ey]

It's obvious Walter has health vulnerability....think

[@shreder75]

@@johnlowe-tq6ey judging by the fact that people still wear masks in their cars while driving ALONE, I thought I'd pose the question.

[@johnlowe-tq6ey]

@@shreder75 alone...2 people

[@justinpurba]

Definitely the sweetest way to show love to a guitar.

[@owenbruce4120]

Whatever works 4 you is what'll do...Walter has his way with the old cool blend 👌⚡

[@drain9993]

the pedals are built into this multi channel reverb amp so whats the difference really between that and external effects?

[@michaelhawkes5110]

Why I’m I so turned off by seeing a mask!!!

[@soofitnsexy]

because u are intelligent

[@scottbaxendale323]

Get over it. The air quality will be so bad soon you won’t be able to breathe without one.

[@draelyc]

I don’t know, but the fact that you are says a whole lot more about you than it does about masks or anyone wearing them.

[@rstats2127]

@@scottbaxendale323you are dumb, those type of mask don’t filter any microns. It’s basically a splash protection for gross contamination and has no respiratory protection!

[@Dave123srv]

Walter should of told him to do one

[@ericmalone3213]

The Pentatonic Scale sent Walter Trout a cease and desist order. Meanwhile, what do you suppose Adrian Belew will do when he finds out he doesn't need any pedals?

[@benspeeds]

Gotta love his sound, his playing, his enduring longevity, and four hundred other noble traits I won't waste time listing. All these virtuous traits merit our respect, but necessity has very little to do with the pursuit of any creative endeavor. Art is fueled by an insatiable hunger for beauty. It is something we do because it brings us pleasure. The, "We don't need no stinking pedals" argument is meaningless as far as I'm concerned. Be guided by and attracted to the things that bring you a sense of excitement and maybe even a rare moment of satisfaction now and then. There are no rules.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Sounds like you've spent a lot of money on pedals, son.

[@maltebergman5242]

@@autodidacticprofessor869 Probably around the same amount as what the "no pedals" old timers spent on their tube amps though ;)

[@chrisdigital]

I had my phase of trying all kinds of petals and effects. No, I'm just happy with a gate, a tuner and of my two overdrive pedals if needed. I think I really enjoy the challenge of making the nuances happen with my hands and trying to be different without relying on some type of effect.

[@zhou_sei]

that's cool, i would be lost without pedals... and i love my princeton reverb(ish)

[@PedalPoopers]

Why not both? I just don't get the argument. Why not have two rigs for a gig, have a set that has songs that you can use effects and other songs where you could switch to the rig with no pedals??

[@lovescarguitar]

"I don't see a need for pedals" That's great. For you. But that is the amazing thing about music. Everyone is different and speaks differently (musically).

[@MrHellfinger]

Literally, his first word in that sentence tells you HE prefers it that way. I agree with you though. To each his own. Takes all kinds to make a world.

[@joshuabeeAlafia1]

Walter Trout is a badass. period. and his tone is fiyah.

[@DrMattWalton]

Nice mask dude, you must be terrified.

[@curtrod]

you must not be a doctor right?

[@JimRosebush-g8v]

@@curtrod Conspiracy Troll!!

[@DrMattWalton]

@@curtrod I believe so…

[@joeshoe6184]

Masks are used to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Perhaps the interviewer is ill, perhaps the interviewee requested it. It can be common courtesy to wear a mask in certain situations. Not sure why someone would be against this...

[@thomasnegovanonline]

Can anyone explain how the volume and pickup settings are working in tandem here? I can’t follow his hands! Is he using the pickup choice as a tonal element, or is it also affecting his volume? HE IS BRILLIANT!

[@shakesquire84]

Take that, Hendrix.

[@tellchoat8337]

“Goddamn this is a nice guitar. Jesus Christ” I felt that in my bones 😂

[@Mpcoluv]

"when you have the worlds most complicated amp, you don't need pedals..."

[@Ken0la]

EVH, SRV and Angus Young never used a pedal, all different amps…

[@UnboundOdysseus]

@@Ken0laEVH and SRV used pedals all the time. 😂

[@keithwatkins5504]

Got a Mark IV new in 1994 played without a single pedal for 20 years then went down the pedal rabbit hole, small amps ,kempers etc but this video makes me want to dig it out again, it really is a beast. Dont do many gigs these days and the ones i do they would probably throw me out with a cranked boogie , plus i cant play like walter trout.

[@robertcalvin2643]

Some people are more interested in sounds than playing which is WRONG BUT how do you get Flanging Phashing Rotary Sounds Echo etc without pedals ???

[@albertomarzani3216]

Great tone, nothing to say, but what if I liked chorus, Delay and phaser?

[@foxyjazzbopper]

Wow!.. what a gent.. what a player🙏👌👌👌

[@floyd212121]

I heard this guy on the blues channel and loved him, I love him more now. I have like 20 rare and vintage pedals and don't use a one.

[@danielmiller210]

What's with the mask is he there to Rob him😂

[@raybrown3510]

#triggered

[@joeshoe6184]

Masks are used to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Perhaps the interviewer is ill, perhaps the interviewee requested it. It's common courtesy to wear a mask in certain situations. Not sure why anyone would be against this...

[@stardustshakedown]

What about pedals for backwards masking?

[@GeorgeHeil-gg6wv]

Wonderful when you've got a FOH engineer to keep you at unity with the overall mix.

[@daydreamhero1374]

"turn the amp up and let's rock"..100% love it

[@sharkair2839]

perhaps a tuner pedal? maybe a little echo>

[@zhou_sei]

that's all i need. also flanger, that's all i need. and a phaser, univibe, autowah, fuzz, more fuzz, reverse ping pong echo... but that's all i need. and a convolution reverb. but seriously, that's all i need.

[@jimmygillard]

Going to see Walter in a few months, can't wait!

[@gilbertocruz1683]

Walter can play a broom and still sound great

[@castleanthrax1833]

When I play my broom, I don't need a dustpan.

[@officialpoa3171]

*See the thing is, when ever he volumes down to clean up, the volume is so low, that his performance is absolutely CO-DEPENDANT on the Mix engineer to follow him through the show and fit his guitar into the mix through out each song. I mean dude, IF JIMI HENDRIX, SANTANA AND PRINCE in 1977 can see fit to play with pedals, I dont see why anyone should get a snobbish attitude about not playing with pedals.*

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Hey, quick question, how are you going to get a univibe sound without the pedal? 😂

[@zhou_sei]

have roadies run back and forth with two extra speakers?

[@rotosound_uk]

Hell of a tone! We're so proud that Walter endorses Rotosound strings

[@metalehead95]

Yes if you can afford a kick ass amplifier and a place to use that kick ass amp yes, you dont need pedals.

[@Scorhos]

We dont need pedals,but they make the work easier. This trick he does with the pinky is like somewhat a slow effect pedal. I saw a guy doing a wah effect using the 5 way , but this could tore the piece apart. Is to make the playing more confortable. I have a pedal that simulates a lot of amps,as the mesa boogie. Is a lot cheaper than a mesa boogie,too.

[@rabbirelax]

I LOVE IT!

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

The thing is we're artists, imagine painters saying "you only need this kind of brush"? For someone if that's what inspires then that's awesome. I love the tones some guys get out of just their amps, and I love the tones some guys get with their pedalboards. It's just the directing of electricity at the end of the day.

[@patriottothecore6215]

Why the face diaper? Good luck trying to get a Boogie Mk4 to sound the same 2 days in a row. Walter is one of the all time greats.

[@curtrod]

what's with being a dumbass?

[@raybrown3510]

patriot my ass

[@joeshoe6184]

Masks are used to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Perhaps the interviewer is ill, perhaps the interviewee requested it. It's common courtesy to wear a mask in certain situations. Not sure why anyone would be against this...

[@dannystrat]

Walter is one of the best! However, I play in bands and in venues that I can’t crank it up to 11 to get that tone that lift your soul and influences your playing. I can barely get past 4 most of the time! So yes, I need pedals. But not too many!

[@officialmrhmusic]

Whats with the mask 😅😅 Rock and Roll maaaan! 😅😅

[@trixlee5102]

Walter sounds great, but it all depends on the application. If you're in a cover band doing 80's covers, for example, you will have to use some sort of effects, whether in pedal or rack form.

[@jimilee459]

Pedals aren’t there because you need them. Pedals inspire and spark a little more creativity, for some of us.

[@sue08401]

When I started playing and gigging in the 60's I used a Gretch Astro jet - later added a Gretch firebird (still own both) and they were played through a Vox Super Berkley. Plenty of power for clubs.

[@montydaniel6597]

That boogie has 1 sound and way too many knobs...

[@paranoid5332]

Where is the tuner?

[@jackoshea7668]

The MASK! So rock n’ roll 😂

[@soofitnsexy]

lmaoooo what an idiot

[@sagrado5]

😂😂😂😂 absolutely nonsense

[@KVL325]

I agree to a good extent on this. Years ago, I averaged 4 to 5 pedals. This grew old for many reasons. The main reason was I started to think that I am playing pedals more than guitar. Now I only use an amplifier's onboard overdrive and a low set flanger for a bit of color. To each their own.

[@nm-mack4778]

Great guitarist, weird masker' interviewer though...

[@joeshoe6184]

Well masks are used to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Perhaps the interviewer is ill, perhaps the interviewee requested it. It can be common courtesy to wear a mask in certain situations. Not sure why a certain segment of the population has an issue with this...

[@paulricketts1089]

...I can remember walking by Perks in Huntington beach as a youngster and hearing Walter Trout wailing away and thinking, "That guys SMOKES". Now I'm 71......... and the guy STILL SMOKES!!..............

[@TheTwangKings]

Well, if you want to sound like 10,000 other players, then you don't need pedals.

[@nihilistlivesmatter]

dumb comment tbh

[@ihatezgoogle6264]

Awwww that’s cute

[@UffeSteenGuitar]

Lol. Yes, but its still less than the rest of the world millions guitarist w pedals sounding the same 😉

[@soofitnsexy]

the opposite i dont use pedals and thats what makes me unique people who use alot of pedals sound like the pedal:)

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

If you're playing in a cover band and trying to get the signature sounds that the original players are know for' that were using pedals' you need pedals. Not everyone plays through a cranked amp all the time.

[@herehere3139]

Its good to see yall respected his health during the height of the corona virus 🤘👏 shit killed a lot of people..

[@seanryan3782]

Whats with the muzzle?

[@raybrown3510]

to trigger the weak