Originally Posted by
ragnarpk
+1 to hubberjub.
just try things out, see what sounds good.. i run fuzz before and distortion after my wah, for example, at the same time, for some crazy sounds, so it all depends on what you're going for. just experiment
Same here.
I've used various different combos as well, for instance for a good while I had verb before OD because I liked to use it as a solo boost; gave a softer 'huge' sound that way.
But it's also 'true dat' - while any combo can give great sounds, in real world applications changing the established order usually ends up in difficulties for some sounds never mind how good it might sound in some single situation.
I put a wah first, because what it does is basically the same as your guitar tone controls. If later, it will provide a much less changing a sound, i.e. the drive tone and level will be more consistent if it's after OD. (Which may be good for some modern sounds but then you won't get a squeaky traditional wah sound)
Comp second; later in the chain it will just lift up way too much excess material, not just the guitar signal (which might be good for some spacey/noise sounds)
Next comes OD(s), because if you put them after time-based etc. FX the drive sound will be very inconsistent and messy (which might be good if you want to lose lots of clarity and make noise/sonicscapes)
Last come the verbs etc. Actually I prefer to use those mostly after-the fact entirely, but right now I do use a little verb. Which comes first, delay or verb, is a matter of how you like it. Delay after > really big sounding delay, before > more natural sounding perhaps.
Ah, and then also last come any enhancers, like BBE which I use, and such, like EQ, noisegate and so on.
So in studio, I'd just mess with the order and find what I like...
...but when building a pedalboard, I'd not alter the established order:
wah > comp > drives > delays > verbs > EQ > 'finalizer' > gate
Dee
"When life's a biatch, be a horny dog"
Amps: Marshall JVM 410H w/ Plexi Cap mod, Choke Mod & Negative Feedback Removal mod, 4x12", Behringer GMX110, Amplitube 3/StealthPedal
Half a dozen custom built/bastardized guitars all with EMG's, mostly 85's, Ibanez Artwood acoustic & Yamaha SGR bass, Epiphone Prophecy SG, Vox Wah, Pitchblack tuner plus assorted pedals, rack gear etc. for home studio use.