Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: No doubt redundant but - if you could choose on pedal for blues gigs what would i
I think this is truly the best answer.
				
			Korg Pitchblack
I think this is truly the best answer.
Korg Pitchblack
About ten years ago, I was in a roots rock band and had a "respectable" pedalboard. When it came time to go into the studio, I didn't use a single one. It wasn't an intentional choice, just going where the music took me.

anyone should be able to do a blues gig with no pedals, doesnt mean that might be the preferred way to do it
+1. Pedals used in moderation, can add a lot of variety, and interest to a guitarist's playing. Why should technology for blues end in the 1950's? Bluesmen were pioneers; some of the first to use electric guitars when they came out in the post-war era. Most of them jumped on the new technology, instead of sticking with acoustic guitars. The availability and variety of pedals kicked into gear in the 1970's and '80's, and many of the original blues players had passed away by then.
Look at how many metal players have incorporated classical music into their playing; it doesn't count if it's not on a violin? Technology changes, instruments change...use it to your advantage. You have a bigger palette to work with. In any genre, the musicians that we remember and are inspired by, are the ones who thought outside of the box.
Well, I knew it was going to happen and today it did. I spent more time fiddling with my pedals and amp settings then I did actually playing. Tomorrow I will buy a timer and budget 7% of allotted guitar time to playing with the seemingly infinite settings. Even my limited pedal inventory I can see how addictive mucking about thinking that ultimate sound is just one adjustment away.
anyone should be able to do a blues gig with no pedals, doesnt mean that might be the preferred way to do it
Buy a timer? 7%? That's counterintuitive.
When you find the sound you've been looking for, it inspires you to play so much that you stop tweaking things.
True. Pedals aren't a requirement. But, not every sound is attainable with just a guitar and amp. It all depends on the sound you're after. For example, while nobody will ever completely replicate SRV's tone, a tubescreamer into a loud tube amp (a Fender or Dumble if possible) is pretty much essential.
True, a guitar thru an amp can be nice, but with the judicious use of a few carefully chosen pedals it can even nicer.
As far as SRV, there are blues players that are not SRV fans, nor do they want to sound like him. The 'Strat and a Hat' thing has been beaten into the ground by thousands of players, and is pretty worn out by now. Gary Moore said he'd walk out when a band started the SRV thing.