My Most Valuable Pedals (2018)

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

"I'm kind of a hoarder" He says while sitting in front of half of all of the Sovtek amps in North America.

[@drumsNstuff79]

haha.. yes he is!!

[@mrw55walton49]

nO sH!T. I knew Sovteck made tubes, I never knew they made amps (Until I watched this video) and effects pedals as well

[@garretthonaker665]

I don't know very many people who like Sovtek Amps, but few I know, have several. I guess I need to play through one.

[@violao206]

Man, I remember when you cold buy a used Sovtek amp for nothing because after they pulled out of the market players were left with more than a few dodgy quality control issues... they are pretty awesome though.

[@wolfman92097]

@@mrw55walton49 There amps are great! Work great for Bass and guitar and have a great sound, not the best build quality of all time, but the electro harmonix reissues are also great!

[@copes1398]

I'm waiting for the Sovtek shootout with a backstory for each one. You gave us your favorite Boss stories. We demand Sovtek.

[@Gore171459]

One of my fvaorite bands uses a sovtek so i need this, as well.

[@jhspedals]

Maybe I will, maybe I won't...

[@Gore171459]

@@jhspedals well M A Y B E you should, JUST SAYIN THATS JUST MY 2 CENTS

[@spotmfd9431]

Agree a video on the Sovtek would be great.

[@stewmcleod7315]

And while you’re at it a Sovtek shootout would be good. Love the blog btw.

[@bmjames]

I started watching JHS videos just because they're so chilled and nice to watch. Now I'm spending all my money on guitar pedals.

[@golf-freq]

In Soviet Russia, Sovtek amplifiers hoard you!

[@shawnrurodenm3640]

TheyL KLUSH yuu

[@zachshipstead5247]

Lol, no shit

[@jazzjames]

A record that mean a lot to me is Wes Montgomery “Boss Guitar”. It was the first jazz record that made me want to play guitar. I went on to get a degree in music, become a pro jazz guitarist full time and I just bought my dream guitar: Gibson L-5 Wes Montgomery. On a personal note, thanks for the Morning Glory!

[@karlphilipemanuelcook4322]

When I was about 10 years old, my brother and I were coming out of Sunday school humming a Marty Robbins song that my dad had listened to that morning- I think it was Big Iron. Anyway, my Sunday school teacher, Ms. Connie, heard us humming the song and told us about how when she was a little girl her next door neighbor was Marty Robbins. The next week she came back and showed us a picture of her, her family, Marty Robbins, his family, and some other people from the neighborhood gathered around a grill-which is obviously totally rad. Sadly, she died of cancer a couple of years later. I’ll always remember her story though. As for the most valuable gear: my most valuable piece of gear is my 1982 Fender American Standard Telecaster. My grandfather gave it to me just before he passed away and despite the fact that I have other, more expensive guitars and other guitars that play a little better, it is my most prized possession. It will be with my for the rest of my life.

[@doomsdaydanceparty7646]

probably loveless by my bloody valentine. When i first disovered that album it changed not only how i look at music, but challenged me to be unique when playing guitar. It took me so long to find an affordable copy, but eventually when i found it, i jumped on it so quick, im so glad that void in my collection had finally been filled with ambient fuzzy goodness

[@mcbrodz1663]

I love that album so much

[@Not_Mii_Uus]

My dad used to play XO by Elliott Smith over and over, and for years he was among the forgotten artists from my childhood until I rediscovered him and the unforgettable melodies on that record a couple years ago, and he became one of the most important artists I ever listened to. For that reason, he and that record will always be something special to me.

[@emitchsr]

My son just said fuzzy goodness sounds like something Bob Ross would say

[@jhspedals]

Mmmmmm

[@triplesevensix291]

There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents. Stay safe man. ( does that little Bob Ross finger wiggle thing ) Lol. ;)

[@omkeeg]

Sonic Youth "Daydream Nation" made me interested in music again and got me back into playing guitar after a 3-year hiatus.

[@DrDooDah]

Most valuable - my '79 Gibson The Paul. I had one when I was 18 and loved it. It was the first 'proper' guitar I ever owned. But a guy in a store laughed at me when I said I had a 'The' Paul, not a 'Les'. From that moment on, I had an inferiority complex - the switch is in the wrong position, the headstock logo is decal, not pearl.... In the end I traded it for a beat up '79 Gold Top deluxe, which did sound great, but never had the same feel as my old The Paul. Finally, 30 years later, and after a break from music for almost 20 years, I've gone back to an all-original, '79 The Paul. And I was lucky - I bought it literally weeks before the prices went stupid. It inspires me as a player and composer. Wouldn't trade it for gold, or Gold Tops.

[@Ndlanding]

You're SO right! Why trade a guitar for some bottles of milk?

[@Stroopio]

I bought a The Paul for 500 guilders in 98 as a 16 year old. Still the best money I ever spent. A shame the original pick ups broke down. Still looking for good substitutes

[@williamfrank83]

Ween - Quebec. My favorite album. My buddy Sean and I have been big ween fans since the old college days and I remember never making the moves to see them live. Then they broke up and I was full of regret. Then they got back together and we went out to see them at ommegang brewery a few years back and it was such an incredible show. Sean and I used to cover transdermal celebration in our band as well. Great album... Great band... Great memories.

[@psychotogether5114]

William Frank our Beatles

[@tastedawaste1367]

Yess the boognish smiles upon you my brown brotha 🤎

[@stulora3172]

Most valuable record: A Beethoven string quartet that my violin teacher gave to me when I was maybe ten. First of all, I loved that teacher and still love his memory. More than teaching me how to play the violin, he he told me stories about how he survived those 12 insane years in Germany as a half Jewish, half Roma Jazz guitarist; about the Jazz scene in the fifties in the US; about how complicated washing machines are; about his (adult) children playing in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra; about Einstein's press conferences..... And this way formed my perspective on the world. And as far as Rock'n'Roll? Well, just listen to Beethoven's 5th symphony on good speakers, at a volume you would listen to your favourite rock album, and get blown away. Or the apasionata for that matter.

[@jhspedals]

Amazing

[@thatellipsisguy8984]

Violin pedal, stat!

[@dalerieger5927]

How can anyone not like this blog? Even people who don't like music should be able to enjoy hearing his delight and love.

[@peterwoods35]

Frank Sinatra, "Only the Lonely"--the first FS record I ever bought. This was vinyl I found in a used bin when I was living in Haight/Ashbury. I went home, put it on the turntable, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The songs, the Nelson Riddle orchestrations--and, of course, the Voice--breathtaking. This record is his absolute masterpiece, and I invite you to give it a long, hard listen if you haven't heard it.

[@Nickgiv]

That Gunfighter Ballads record means a lot to me too! My grandpa had it playing all the time when I was a kid. He was a ranch hand and raised horses so I always pictured him in those songs. Great record. Every time I hear it I surprise myself with how many of the words I still remember. My favorite tracks are Big Iron, Cool Water, and El Paso.

[@zekehall]

Most Valuable Album: "The Future" by Leonard Cohen. It was my first real exposure to Cohen, and I became a dedicated fan. Cohen is still my best concert ever. Timely (timeless?) and thought-provoking lyrics, entrancing music and rhyme, and just generally a great album for multiple listening. Second best: "Love and Theft" by Bob Dylan, who gave a killer show in Calgary. My wife and I danced the entire concert in the nosebleeds looking down on all the suckers who were crammed in like sardines in the lower bowl and floor. Third: "Dark Side of the Moon" 30th anniversary remastered in SACD and played on a 5.1 system. Do not listen to that with chemicals in your system; you'll end up in hospital.

[@anthonyvalcarcel3556]

One of my most valuable albums is 10CC Deceptive Bends. I’ll never forget this album because I got in trouble for running through the house as my father was trying to record from vinyl to tape so he could play it in his car. The guitar work and tones are amazing and the lyrics are incredibly intelligent. “I Bought A Flat” is clinical.

[@clangocyclotron]

This is my favorite "Record Time" so far. I'm originally from the same city as Marty Robbins and I found my copy of Gunfighter Ballads leaning against a tree in the shade. How is that for an origin story? My most valued record is the record that launched me into vinyl collecting. My Dad's copy of Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Axis: Bold As Love". I was grabbed by the incredible artwork first, that beautiful gatefold sleeve. I was not completely prepared for what that black circle contained within. I was 8 years old and the year was 1989.

[@jimh8422]

Im another of the many of thousands of pedals builders out there. I started doing it for a living 7 or 8 years ago. When i decided to make the jump from music stores to home buisness i was pretty serious so i built a 100 squarefoot tiny house stripped all my bills back and got to it. I do a little nitch erea all word of mouth with an amp and or guitar build here and there. Anyways what im getting to is i really enjoy your videos. There never really biased towards one thing or another. You are the type of guy i could talk gear with for hours. Thanks for the great videos, it gives me something to do while im sitting at home.

[@gregorybooker4913]

Emerson, Lake and Palmers "Pictures in an Exhibition", In music appreciation, in high school, we learned about the original. I brought in the ELP album and laid my soul on the line to a very strict classical musician. I was expecting ruin, expulsion, being shunned and banished from "Real" music listening. In my amazement she loved it, and spent the rest of the quarter studying it, tearing it apart, and in the end announcing it to be the first modern work worthy to be analyzed. Whew, I really stuck my neck out and came out smelling like roses!!!! My favorite pedal are delays, I have so many and even a Guild Copykat, with tape and all. It's fun. I'm super interested in your SSL, Neve emulation of a channel strip pedal, and would ask if I may, Would you consider XLR or balanced inputs and outputs. This would cinch the deal for me being as I'm a mix engineer and that is mostly what i do nowadays. Thank you sir I love your video's Greg

[@kylewardmusic]

Absolutely love these videos, Josh. So genuine and awesomely nerdy in the greatest of ways. Thank you for sharing these. My most valuable record/s are : Saosin - Self-Titled Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown I learned SO much from these records. The TONES found on these records! The use of effects, the performances, the songs themselves, EVERYTHING... Wouldn’t be who I am today without them.

[@peterb7435]

3:11. "I tend to be a collector" ...Sits in front of wall of sovtek migs larger than any one wall in my house.... Josh.....you are awesome.....

[@melvynobrien6193]

I got that Marty Robbins record back in the sixties when I was about 10 or 11; still have it. I bought it in CD form years later; now I have it in my laptop. Great music. Johnny Horton Makes History is another excellent album.

[@nikphilip]

You have 6000 Sovtek amps and you play a Fender Bassamp. Good amp, but why no Sovtek yet?? :)

[@MatEnAlks]

It's like having beautiful roses in your garden. When you love them so much, you want to have as many of them as possible, but you won't show them to anyone, because you don't want others to know how your happiness tastes like. Something along these lines.

[@nikphilip]

He's trolling us by now.

[@jhspedals]

yes

[@donewithmodernlife]

Aaron Soots we all were Aaron, we all were.

[@garyhinde1173]

To me, the Sovtek's & everything else behind this dude is a back-drop picture!!..... Jus sayin!!!

[@Mark70609]

The song you should hear is "I swear" by the New Christs. An influential guitar for me was my Danelectro, I had no expectations of what it should sound like and I've learnt a few songs on it. A Fender Champ has been an influential amp as it is what it is, one knob and the guitar.

[@druwk]

I also have Danecho love! I’m really tempted by the Echoplex pedal as a replacement on the board because it has the tape decaying effects? 90% of the time I use my echo for an ambient slap back type thing, and 10% I go full-on psychedelic modulator mad professor. BTW I’m trying to put together enough scratch for one of your OD’s. There are three that keep making me repeat KZbin reviews of them...Pollinator, Moonshine and the Twin Twelve. In a lotto loot world I would be adding several replacements to my small board from your line. You make really cool pedals, that sound amazing. Love your vibe, and the love you share with other manufacturers. GTR in - Boss Tu-2 - Joyo dyna compressor - EHX Wailer Wah - EHX Turnips Green (looping out) - TC Electronic’s Vibraclone - Danecho (back) - TC Electronic Spark - Ditto and out.

[@Haroldmikesizemore]

Josh, Love the Vlog, I recently got the Angry Drive and I love it. Beside being a user of the Blues Driver for awhile I couldn’t be happier with the Angry Charlie part of the pedal. Also Gunfighter Ballard’s is an epic album.

[@maxonmendel5757]

The End is Where We Begin by Thousand Foot Krutch. After working with Tooth and Nail for over a decade, TFK went independent in 2012. They went on that year to crowd fund an album that I consider their magnum opus. On my side, I was just starting high school. I would stay up late some nights doing homework and browsing the web, listening to this new crazy album that had so many cool sounds I hadn’t heard on a rock album before. This was before just electronica’s influence became so ubiquitous in music, and most hard rock was still very guitar driven. Some tracks on EiWWB are stil bangers, and I love how big of an album that was for me when I was a kid

[@danandkiko]

Gun Fighter Ballads was also in our car cassette player when I was young. It has epic musicians and backing singers on it.

[@patricksommer3971]

My most valuable record is a 3-CD Queen Live Bootleg. Without this CDs I probably wouldn't have ever listened to Rock Music and I'm pretty sure without it I wouldn't play Guitar. The Story behind it is that back in the early 90s, a Label called Imtrat discovered a Loop hole in Germany Copyright Law. It basically said that live recordings of foreighn Bands in foreighn countries are not preotected. So they released about 70 CDs of various artists. So my Aunt bought this legal Album and had it lying arround most of the time until i found it a few years ago. That's why these CDs are more worth than any money on this world for me. The funny thing is that the CD says 'Live USA' although 2 of the CDs are recorded in Japan. And the track list of the CD thats really from US is totally mixed up. P.S. Without this CDs I had never bought any JHS Pedals. Good for You!

[@PDHPalPackRat]

The David Grisman Quintet by The David Grisman Quintet is one of the most important albums to me, and everyone involved is a rock star. My dad plays bluegrass, so naturally I wanted to be anything but a bluegrass musician. However, when he showed me this album it blew my genre schemas out of the water. The fusion of bluegrass and jazz, the musicianship, and the composition had a huge influence on the musician I am today.

[@brandonbernhard491]

Speaking of “having a chance to make” something new. I’d love access to a “supersat” type pedal. Based off the circuit and EQ from the teal stripe peavey bandits.

[@fuzzyskiboy]

Hi Josh, I am really enjoying your vlog series. Please keep them coming. For me my most valuable pedal is the Boss RDD-20. I got it when I was first learning guitar and listening to U2's Josuha Tree. I couldn't figure out how he was playing sooo fast. I knew nothing of effects but once I had this ( and it mostly works, the modulation randomly kicks in) I was hooked on guitar. I still have it and I just pulled it out to play with after watching. Cheers Chris

[@ant1sokolow]

Maybe you alredy talk about the Sovteks..Interesting but expensive wallpaper though. You may consider Dumbles... My most valuable pedal is a DOD fx51 juice box. One of my first and part of my sound since. Can do a clean boost+EQ, and the TS too. More gain (ampere/volt) and less drive (distortion) than the real green. Mid hump is less and ...different

[@TheRealFreekBos]

You know... my ear-opener pedal was a VOX Big Ben overdrive. I bought it cheap and at first I thought WHY do I need another overdrive?? I already have THE TS-9. It can't get any better than that?!?. Until I put the big ben AND the TS on my board. I am sooo in love with the big ben, and it shows that it is all about what sound inspires you. Not what pedal is sold the most, or is used by the big boys.

[@jay_thedog_man5169]

Please do a history video about reverb like you did with other pedals. I love all the Vlogs.

[@SeattleScotty]

Yea I would love to see this. Reverb definitely has the longest history as a musical effect, even predating electronic instruments.

[@joaofelipesantos3239]

I loved the video! My most valuable record is the first album by Rush, which my brother and I would listen after sneaking into our uncle's bedroom at my grandma's house. When he found out we were listening to it, he said we were more than welcome to listen to any record in his collection and that was what got both of us into music and rock :)

[@Slew514]

Most important album to me would be Road Apples by The Tragically Hip. Inspired me to want to learn to play the guitar, has songs that are a great picture of 90's Canadian rock. Some blues inspired songs and some really emotional songs as well. Was their third album and really shows them hitting their stride for further albums to come. Check it out. I think you'll dig it.

[@fUP420babe]

fully completely was the third album, i was lucky enough to see the hip for my first time on the tour for fully completely and was able to sneak into the club as i was under age and still in high school.

[@fUP420babe]

then later that summer i got to go to another roadside attraction as well!

[@Slew514]

Self titled first, Up to Here second, then Road Apples was released in '91. Fully completely the year after, '92. Most people do forget about their first album. Small Town Bringdown, All Canadian Surf Club......Great bar band back then.

[@fUP420babe]

oh i see, i wasnt including the self titled release as it was an ep, not a full album, but alright.

[@Slew514]

Fair enough. 8 songs, call it EP or album I guess.

[@riffafrank]

Hey man how are you doing? Love your show by the way. My most valuable pedal is mxr distortion plus 1979. The story of this pedal is that i drove last year 4000km to go work on construction and on my day off i when to the store to order the worldwind yellowbox pedal that is a clone of mxr disto +. At the store in the used stuff i found the real mxr disto+ 1979!!! From that time that pedal is really hard to beat on my board and love it! Thanks for your time man.

[@chrisnagy1429]

Check out the album Full Circle by Czukay, Leibzeit, and Wobble. This is an atmospheric record of extreme brilliance. Purchased in the 80's, I was alone and down and out and this album mesmerized me with its hypnotic soundscapes and one of the most beautiful if naive and clumsy guitar solos ever. It made me love life in a way not seen before. A masterpiece.

[@brettm777]

My first ever pedal, an MXR Distortion +, purchased in 1980, it opened up a whole new world.

[@paulrichart4332]

Record time: - Pulp - Different Class (1995) The true record for the common people. You will relate to every single story you hear on that album. The reason why I started making music - Felt - The strange idols pattern and other short stories (1984) An uncanny version of The Smiths from a parallel universe. It really changed the way I played guitar - Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967) Made my buy a Danelectro and a Fuzz

[@Pinkybum]

Pulp's Babies is the one that turned me on to them. I told everyone who would listen - they're going to be massive. It took a while but I'm glad they stuck it out as a band.

[@officialmetalwill]

Honestly, the biggest game changer for me as a player was the TS-9. It introduced me to the idea that a single pedal can dramatically change the tone and sound of your rig - the way it compresses the tone of your amp and boosts certain frequencies, the way it interacts with other pedals and changes their overall sound. A simple overdrive pedal can open up your mind and spark creativity.

[@oscarsundbaum2026]

Awesome to see that Colorsound Tonebender! My most valuable pedal would be a 1974 Colorsound Supa Wah-Swell. Colorsound Rules!

[@kentissue2215]

Growing fond of your vids lately. Feel a real sense of kindred spirit. Don't have any JHS pedals on my board or in my collection but I'm paying close attention now. I'm just a local teacher/performer and, frankly, money is always an issue. Bur, every once in awhile I'm able to splurge and pick up a new piece of gear. As for a "special" allbum for me, I remember the very first album I ever bought with my own cash when I was a kid in the '70's. War/World is a ghetto. Thanks!

[@davidrg1550]

Most important album, Vais Passion & Warfare, it just totally inspired me but even today it’s just so special. As for gear, a special place has to go to my stolen and long lost 92 Mesa Mark IV, such sentimental value as me and a friend travelled the length of the U.K. in one night to get it

[@lance134679]

I think Josh picked the right business to go into. I have a JB-2 that I bought on impulse, and no regrets. I use it every weekend :-)

[@_baniraaisu6711]

16:31 who would win? a dangerous outlaw who killed 20 people and not afraid to anyone. or some random guy with big iron on his hip.

[@rorymcclellan3740]

Also, one of my fav pieces of gear is my 2010 mim strat. Im actually wearing the finish off the edges of the fretboard now! got it for my 11th bday, and I`ll never be without it.

[@Peetie_Wheatstraw]

Not many people can use the word "onomatopoeia " in a sentence. Impressive. As for Marty Robbins, my dad used to play that records since the early 60s and I always liked it, especially the guitar in the song "El Paso".

[@IPushHard]

All I can say at this point is this.. I really REALLY like your videos. So laid back, and informative, and non-competitive. I just sit and listen to the stories told by someone with a ton of passion for what they do. Its so obvious. It comes through. Thats what makes this channel super awesome. I commit. Here and now, to buy at least one JHS pedal based strictly on the content you release. My board is: A cheapo Chinese delay (7 modes), A cheapo Chinese Mod pedal (again 7 modes), A cheapo Tremolo (The Trelicopter), a cheapo Chinese compressor (which for some reason I love), a cheapo Chinese Blues OD (very Meh), an Electro Harmonix Germanium OD, an Electro Harmonix Crayon, an Electro Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff, a Behringer EQ , and an expression pedal for the Muff. I have room for one more pedal if I squish stuff together. Any recommendations from JHS??? Thanks : )

[@jhspedals]

🔥💪🐲💜🖤❤👌

[@IPushHard]

Yeah? Who woulda guessed? OK, if you dont see a need for me, thats cool. I'll pick out something soon. Can a board have too many overdrives? Jeez, I already have 3. Maybe a rerereverb? ....even though I have one in my amp? Well, if I used both at the same time, I may create a brand new genre of music called "Space Billy" : )

[@jhspedals]

Space Billy! That's awesome, lol. If you can squish stuff together, you could try a Lucky Cat Digital Delay.

[@IPushHard]

Space Billy! Look for it soon! : ) I think I'd need a POG to actually pull that off, but tons of fun. A good delay wouldnt hurt either. I'll give a good look at the Lucky Cat too. Thanks for the reply and the recommendation.

[@StangDGB]

I love Marty Robbins. Such a great album, I grew up with Marty, Van Halen, The Eagles, and Stevie Rey Vaughn. #Blessed lol

[@stevedoingstuff3960]

Hey man congratulations. You seem like a really genuine guy and you are totally killing it. Great work!

[@jhspedals]

Thanks!

[@thedaver8]

I don't think you're a hoarder. You can definitely use more Sovtek amps. :)

[@jhspedals]

I know, right!?

[@texrex4580]

Another excellent and entertaining vlog. My most prized musical possession is an old Boss DD-3 Digital Delay. It's been part of my board for over 20 years now and I have never found a better delay pedal. I've bought and tried lots, modern and vintage, simple and complex but the DD-3 just works for me. There simply are no "bad" sounds to be had from it. Many, if not most pedals seem to have some really extreme settings, that are totally impractical to use. On one occasion, as I set up my gear for a gig, I must have accidentally changed the setting on a new Flashback delay I was trying out. When I hit the opening chord of the first number later that night I was horrified to hear the most outrageous swampy, never-ending delay ringing through the PA. I had to turn the darn thing off ASAP. I felt like a real amateur, which of course I am, but my pedals usually help disguise the fact. That was the very last time I experimented with delays. My old DD-3 whould never have embarrassed me like that, so that's my most trusted, reliable and loved piece of gear. It's just idiot proof...and I'm living proof that idiots really do exist !!

[@davidslattery6750]

same here man! i love my dd3 too. its a simple workhorse that sounds awesome and you still see it on tonnes of pros boards.

[@jasonnavarro55]

Turbo rat was my gateway

[@scottrrand37]

Josh, thank you for an interesting series of vlogs. Recently Joe Bonamassa had a weak moment where he was badmouthing pedals (maybe it one's dependence on them), but this week's Premier Guitar rig run down shows that Joe loves his guitars because of the STORY behind each one. Cool theme this week. As far as albums go, I'm probably not suggesting something out of left field, but Joe Satriani's Surfing With the Alien is the ONLY album that made me not able to move. I had to just listen and try to absorb what I was hearing. I bought the cassette (sorry, no portable record players in my '76 Impala) from an actual record store back in 1986, got the plastic wrap off of it, popped it in the boom box that served as my car stereo, and was blown away. I finally left the parking lot an hour later. I don't know how many times I thought, "How does he get the notes to sound like laser beams?!!" I still think that today... Pedals....hmmmm.....I had a delay pedal early on that had stereo outputs and a friend let me borrow an amplifier for a school dance. That was the first time I heard my guitars notes bouncing around the stage. I plugged a 16 V adapter into it the next day because the battery died. That was the day I learned all adapters are not the same. Sniff! Keep up the great pedals and vlogs!

[@weakbrainthrombosis]

scottrrand37 I feel you man. You got me thinking about the days before the internet. I had to learn so many things the hard way, but at the same time everything was unique and new because I didn’t have a frame of reference.

[@ashtonb_416]

Morning Glory is a true stamp I’m my musical story!

[@seanbeasley7504]

Don't underestimate the value of your contribution to teaching old dogs new tricks. I have been buying/using pedals since the late 70s and I learn something new with each video that I watch. Unlike my wife, I don't blame you for how much money watching your videos causes me to spend.

[@elonmush4793]

MVP: an EQ pedal. Don't like the sound of your amp in that room? EQ! You think you're not cutting through band mix? EQ! You think your single coils ain't beefy enough? EQ! You think your drive pedals sound too nasty and trebly? EQ! You want to fake a bass part on guitar? EQ!

[@rileya7652]

@john k. would you say the clover is a good pedal for someone who wants boost and eq but has limited pedal space?

[@macintune]

OMG, My Dad bought the original and I love it! Still do. I have never seen anybody mention this so I am now going to subscribe to your channel! 2nd time ever! Really

[@FabianSalomonsson]

Sovtek, SOvtek. SOVtek, SOVTek, SOVTEk, SOVTEK, please mr JHS

[@waynehartman6364]

My life changed by getting a original Mosrite Fuzzrite....I up to then Univox, Maestro(with cable attached) and others were junk....then came Fuzzrite.... Wow... the clouds opened up and sun shined brighter. Great videos... !!!

[@johnboy26769]

Christopher Walken said " I need more cowbell!" Josh says "I need more Sovteks!"

[@aaronhmhutto]

I’m a drummer first and a guitarist second. The album that changed everything for me when I was 14 was Grand Funk live, originally because of Don Brewer. The drums were controlled chaos. Mels baselines were like nothing I ever heard, and marks amp just sounded like it was ready to explode. It had that dimed scratchy old 60s natural tube distortion that I learned to love.

[@gilmouring]

The more I watch those Sovtek behind and the more I think "Russian goodness".

[@chrisn3586]

This was fantastic! The whole vlog series has been challenging me to really think through my whole value system as it relates to what pedals I play (or want to play) and why. I really appreciate the way certain pedal myths have been dismantled, while affirming the value of my personal quest--not just to find the "best" or "right" tone--to find "my" tone.

[@jhspedals]

I love this! Thanks for watching!

[@paulhancock7670]

I'm old. And British. And JHS will always be John Hornby Skewes.

[@squierplayer]

When I started playing guitar in 2007, I didn’t have any pedals. I just had the distortion on my Fender Frontman 25R. Then the next year I bought a Zoom G2. It was great because I could get all of these different sounds. For some reason I thought I needed a wah pedal so I got a Digitech RP250 since it had a pedal built onto it. Now, I am starting to buy Boss pedals, which is how I stumbled upon your channel. So far I have an RC-20 looper and a Super Chorus. Hopefully I’ll add more pedals in the future. I’ve enjoyed all the videos that I’ve seen from you so far. I even watched the rig rundown with the Chili Peppers and saw that Josh uses your Firefly pedal. That’s awesome!

[@merlinaudubon6202]

The stranger there among them had a Big Iron on his hip....

[@JamieK_89]

What a song

[@liquor8396]

Man new Vegas was a good game

[@thenash76]

The Stooges' first album. Discovered it when I was 15. It seemed to channel all the angst I had and make me feel like I had 4 best friends talking to me through my headphones. It was more or less my introduction to noisy, heavy music. I heard Ron playing simple power chords and knew that I'd be able to learn guitar and have fun with it. That album had all the answers. It's my ultimate, number 1 favorite.

[@willputh]

I actually like your videos and pedals, but can you stop driving and vlogging for the intro? It is a completely unnecessary risk and normalizes driving while distracted. Seriously, film yourself walking to your car, from your car, into the JHS offices, while sitting on the toilet. I don't care, but the driving and blogging is distracting you and putting others at an unnecessary risk.

[@waltersmetak]

Priceless!

[@MatEnAlks]

He's not even holding it, he just look at the screen once or twice during the whole thing. Calm down.

[@willputh]

Either you are watching a different video or you are unable to count. He looks down at the phone at least 2-3 times in the first 5 seconds. Not only that, but he's trying to come up with content while driving. I'm guessing you haven't known someone who died or was severely injured because someone looked down at a text for "just a second."

[@evetssorc]

Gotta go along with William Puth. Distracted driving kills.

[@leonardsrobert]

Don't you ever talk to and look at somebody when you drive??

[@danilomedeirosmusica]

Man, thanks for this. I'm sometimes amazed by the power of music. Here is a guy thousands of miles away in Brazil feeling so good to find people that share this common passion for music, songs, records and sounds. My most valuable records are the ones I always go back to - each one of them transport me to a different destination; there are happy places, lonely landscapes, deserts, oceans... So many I can't even count. I'll leave one Brazilian record as you probably know most of my rock and jazz favorites: "Milagre dos Peixes" by Milton Nascimento. This is a song record turned into an instrumental masterpiece by the Brazilian dictatorship censors. But beware: this is one of the sad ones. Have a great day, man.

[@seanpatrickwatkins640]

One of my favorite scenes in a movie is in "Throw Momma from the Train". Danny DeVito is showing off his coin collection. It's quite touching. This vlog reminds me of that scene.

[@jhspedals]

lol

[@creativintent]

I immediately listened to gunfighter ballads from beginning to end and loved every second of it. Thank you so much for that recommendation. Similar to your story, my dad always had Roger Miller‘s greatest hits on cassette in the car, and while I came to care much more about other records after that, it will always hold a special place for me. To me, the stories and reasons we have our gear is much more important than the tone. Thanks again!

[@milesstrand7920]

The Mars Volta - Frances The Mute I found a copy on vinyl and it was still in mint condition for under $100 and every time I listen to this record it re-exposes me to what can be done in the studio and through effects on guitar/bass/vocals. The layers of tracks and even the vocals that although sometimes are in Spanish, make the listener feel so much emotion. An amazing concept record and worth a listen for sure 🙌🏾

[@Creed_fan_69]

Dude same

[@gabrielmyre]

Great album. My dad was a country music aficionado and he had this vinyl. I was more into my mother's rock n' roll collection. But as I grew older, I rediscovered all those great legends. Nowadays, I sometimes listen to this record on my iPhone during my daily train ride commute.

[@nathanrobertschultzmusic2609]

Bought that album( original pressing) down in Canton, TX when me and my my Dad where selling his furniture off his truck. I’d play music on the fairgrounds all day, and blow half the tips on records earlier the next morning. Love your videos and playing man. Everything about them. Peace to you. 🙏

[@rwalden87]

I used to ride around in my dad's ford truck when I was younger. Marty Robbins always in the cassette deck as well. It's one of my most cherished memories. too cool.

[@kyleabner]

i love what this guy is saying. pretty much its "you like what you like" and my favorite pedal is actually the JHS Morning Glory v4. Came across it by chance its what i was looking for. My sound is a '70s kind of classic rock sound but i was born in '87, so i love the '90s. The morning glory brought the classic rock sound with a modern feel for me personally and it is my go to pedal. its on 90% of the time when im not clean.

[@GustavoLovato]

Two records come to mind for me. When I was twelve, my brother brought me from the USA (I was living in Argentina at the time) a bunch of Queen records (by request because I had purchased “The Game” and loved it). Long story short, once I put on Side Black from Queen II, I was hooked forever and wore it out. Brian May. Just: Wow. The other record happened when I was 19. I had, through a friend, really gotten into Marillion’s “Clutching at Straws” and “Misplaced Childhood” records. As it happened, I got into them just as Fish, the original singer and lyricist, left the band. I was worried that I had just gotten into a band whose total output would be always stuck at four studio records. Then in September of 1989, I special ordered ‘Seasons End’ in my small CD shop in a small Indiana town. Listening to that first slow crescendo leading up to Steve Rothery’s entrance with the band was a jaw dropping moment for me. Marillion had picked a singer that sounded nothing like Fish and had an awesome, unique voice and, with something to prove in a make it or break it moment, produced a great record. Steve Rothery is still one of my favorite guitarists. He was at the time using a Marshall for his distorted sound, a Jazz Chorus for his clean sound and Boss pedals. I love his songwriting and soloing.

[@rcfxpedals]

You are so passionate about pedals! Your channel is awesome because I learn something everytime I watch one of your videos! Keep it up!

[@cicadaNC]

One pedal that has never left my pedal board (except once for repairs) since I added it to it is my 70's Memory Man. It's simple, with just the 3 knobs, and sounds incredible. I was lucky enough (even though I didn't realize it at the time) to pick it up for only $80, and even though I have a slew of other delays, there's nothing that compares to the sound or simplicity of it. I always just end up going back to it, it never fails me. I also love that you included the Rat in this video. I have one of the JHS modded Rats and I love it. I grew up loving the Rat and was blown away at the difference in the sound but how it still really kept that overall "Rat" tone.

[@ryancapps8958]

I have a similar album Story as you. My grandfather was a farmer until he was too ill to do so. I Always rememberedhow much he loved me, and would take me out on the farm with him. And in his cassette deck was a copy of George Strait's Strait From the Heart. Another killer album by an essential country artist, with just great songwriting and great songs performed by a great singer with a great band to back him up.

[@kirkpono5951]

Great video. I have a thing for the Behringer Vintage Tube Monster. Everyone hates them and the brand but I LOVE mine and I have an assortment of tubes I use to change the flavor of the tone. I even bought one for my son and said the same things you did. "Don't let your friends or gear snobs make your purchases for you. If you like something use it proudly!" Great advise I think!

[@chrissoares23]

Queen - Queen Live Killers. Coming home after school as a young teen I would sit in my room and draw (when I supposed to be doing homework) and listen to this album over and over again. Singing along with Freddie and May's guitar solos. $3.99 from the used bin. Still one of my favorites.

[@PearlJamaholic]

The Dan-Echo is still my favorite delay pedal. When I first got it in the late 90s or whenever it was they came out, I liked it so much I took it off my board cause I didn't want to risk it breaking. So for years I just used a Boss delay, then I bought another Dan-Echo and keep that one on my board, and my old original Dan-Echo is still safely stored. Every time someone recommends a delay pedal I ask how it compares to the Dan-Echo, usually I get no response since they don't know the pedal. I won't believe any delay is the best until someone can tell me the pedal they suggest is better than the Dan-Echo.

[@juliankirby9880]

Chester and Lester is also an album dripping with Americana. Chet Atkins and Les Paul playing together. But an album that is “valuable to me” is All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix, cuz it was one of the 1st cds I listened to all the way through with my dad when I was but a wee lad.

[@bebopcats]

One of my MVP pieces of gear is my Fender Champ 600. It is a really cheap amp but I learned a lot about amps by modding it. I made an attenuator for it, a switch to lift the tone stack in and out, a switch to add or remove the feedback connection, clipping diodes that can switch in and out, changed the speaker and experimented with different speaker cabinets. It is a great sounding amp and you can push the power tube without the volume being outrageous. Mind you it still gets pretty loud!

[@thomashumphrey9797]

I just noticed you holding up the Marty Robins album. My father lived across the street from him in Bakersfield when the were growing up. They would write songs together and store them in a filing cabinet. I always enjoyed hearing my father talk about hanging out with him. I got a Dan-Echo from an ex girlfriend. Her previous boyfriend left it behind with some other effects and an acoustic guitar and she just gave them all to me.

[@stevendobias2960]

I love your video. It touched my heart. You remind me of my own memories of music and gear I connect with and love. This defines who we are and why we do what we do. Raising my cup of coffee this morning wishing you a blessed day.

[@sam4667]

Most valuable guitar: Yamaha LL6 acoustic. The first decent guitar I owned. Bought with my hard earned bonus from an old job. Bought because I was such a big Bert Jansch fan and learning to fingerpick at that time. I saw Bert live in Liverpool a couple of times and noticed he played Yamaha. Never regretted buying it, it rings like a bell and even smells great One day I'll leave it to whichever one of my kids wants it.

[@johnl.6930]

Thank you Josh. Your philosophy resonates with me. After all, what one values doesn’t have to equate to dollars and cents. Great vlogs! Keep them coming.

[@alejandroibarra230]

I absolutely loved this one. My MVP has to be my old school EHX Big Muff and/or my DOD Stereo Bass Flanger. I got the first one for like $15 bucks and I learned how to manage fuzzes/overdrives with my bass. The second one it is really important cause I am a fan of modulation on bass and that is my very first one, and also because it has a delay knob that if you turn it all the way up, it makes your bass sound like a fretless. My MVP album is The Rising Tide by Sunny Day Real Estate. It opened the doors of my mind to 90's rock in terms of not-so-well-known bands and also because I got it when I was like 13 and it was HARD AS HELL to get records like this one here in Mexico.

[@timstones786]

that dan-echo was my first ever pedal! Love that thing.

[@collingann5681]

I'm listening to this vlog right now from Winfield, AL. Awesome pedals, Josh!

[@asbury29]

Enjoying the VLOG, Josh! My MVP pedals would have to include my 'gateway drug' pedals -- the old black and red, big box EHX Small Stone and the MXR Distortion+ that transformed my little solid state Gibson practice amp into a magical music machine -- at least to my 13 year old ears. As for must-hear albums, Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" and EP's "The Sun Sessions" -- both of which I checked out from my hometown library out of curiosity when I was about the same age as mentioned above -- are two 'desert island' discs that I'd recommend to anyone. Guitar-wise, the MVP is no doubt the 1981 Strat I got for my 16th birthday (that was 1985 -- so it was second-hand but still the most expensive and best instrument I'd ever owned). Unlike the pedals I still have that Strat, or at least most of it (body, tremolo and tuners): it's on its 4th neck and umpteenth set of pickups. It's literally grown up with me!

[@nykbray1288]

My favorite pedal is the EHX Lumberjack Overdriver. Before I ended up purchasing it, I went into a small music shop to try out the Boss Bassman pedal. I didn't end up liking it for what I was looking for, so I tried the Lumberjack. I fell in love with the pedal right after turning it on and playing through it. I bought it, took it home, and played with it for several hours after that. With that pedal, my style has evolved toward a direction I had not anticipated, and I am grateful.

[@girlbandgeek]

This is one of my favorite VLOGS you've done (I just started watching them from the beginning). Encapsulates everything I love about this show. A record I have enjoyed over the years is Tonight's the Night by Neil Young. There's a real melancholy mood about this one, and I think it's an underappreciated part of his catalog.