The Favorite Pedals of Great Guitarists and How to Replicate Their Tones

If you're passionate about guitar, you've probably tried at some point to recreate the sound of your idols. The tone of an iconic guitarist depends not only on the guitar and amplifier but also on the pedals they use. In this article, we explore some of the favorite pedals of great guitarists and how you can get as close as possible to their sound.

1. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Key Pedals:

• Big Muff Pi (Electro-Harmonix) – Essential for Gilmour’s smooth and full-bodied solos.

• Binson Echorec (Simulation: Catalinbread Echorec) – A fundamental analog delay for classic psychedelic echoes.

• Uni-Vibe (MXR M68 Univibe) – Produces the modulation and depth effects he used in the '70s.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Combine the Big Muff with a delay set for long, smooth repeats. Use a Uni-Vibe to add an ethereal touch to the sound. Don’t forget to set up a spacious reverb for that vast sonic effect.

2. Jimi Hendrix

Key Pedals:

• Fuzz Face (Dunlop JHF1 Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Face) – The foundation of his dirty, sustain-heavy sound.

• Vox V847 Wah-Wah – Essential for expressive solos and striking rhythms.

• Univibe (MXR M68 Univibe) – Key for the psychedelic texture of songs like "Machine Gun."

How to Replicate the Sound:

Use a Fuzz Face with the guitar volume slightly lowered for cleaner tones. Engage the wah-wah for added expressiveness and a Univibe for that classic '60s sonic movement.

3. John Mayer

Key Pedals:

• Klon Centaur (Alternative: Wampler Tumnus or J. Rockett Archer) – One of the best overdrives for a smooth and creamy tone.

• Strymon Flint (Reverb and Tremolo) – Adds depth and a vintage touch.

• TS808 Tube Screamer (Ibanez) – Essential for a warm and defined solo boost.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Start with a Klon-style overdrive set for subtle gain, add a Tube Screamer to push solos, and finish with a light reverb for an airy tone.

4. Eddie Van Halen

Key Pedals:

• MXR Phase 90 – Essential for creating the characteristic modulation in songs like "Eruption."

• Flanger (MXR EVH 117 Flanger) – Adds a metallic and movement-rich touch to the sound.

• Overdrive (Boss SD-1 or EVH 5150 Overdrive) – A warm and articulate drive.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Use a Phase 90 before the drive to create a dynamic and lively sound. Add a flanger for the most striking riffs and a well-set overdrive for sustain and presence.

5. Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is one of the most influential guitarists of all time, playing a key role in the evolution of blues-rock. His tone is marked by smoothness and expressiveness, combining refined techniques with exceptional control of dynamics.

Key Pedals:

• Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer – Essential for Clapton’s signature "woman tone" from the Cream era.

• Cry Baby Wah (Dunlop GCB95) – Adds that characteristic expressiveness to his solos.

• Boss Blues Driver BD-2 – A smooth drive to enhance blues tones.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Set the Tube Screamer for emphasized mids and use the wah with subtle movements. If you need more sustain and gain, a Blues Driver is a great option. Clapton also uses reverb and delay discreetly to enrich his sound without exaggeration.

His playing style, combined with these pedals, helped shape modern blues and influenced generations of guitarists, ensuring his place among the 30 greatest guitarists in history.

6. Adam Jones (Tool)

Key Pedals:

• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay – Creates precise and atmospheric delays in Tool’s sound.

• Mesa Boogie Grid Slammer – A powerful and defined drive for heavy riffs.

• Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger – For spatial modulation effects.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Use a digital delay for depth and a flanger to add movement. The drive should be strong but not overly saturated, ensuring clarity in the riffs.

7. Kerry King (Slayer)

Key Pedals:

• MXR KFK 10-Band EQ – Shapes an aggressive and cutting tone.

• Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor – Essential for controlling high-gain noise.

• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (Kerry King Signature) – Adds expressiveness to solos.

How to Replicate the Sound:

Use an EQ to highlight mid frequencies and a noise gate to cut unwanted noise. The wah-wah comes into play in solos, creating a sharp and aggressive sound.

8. Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)

Key Pedals:

• Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi – Essential for the thick fuzz of albums like Siamese Dream.

• Boss CE-2 Chorus – Creates lush sonic layers.

• Eventide TimeFactor Delay – For experimental echoes and added depth.

How to Replicate the Sound:

The Big Muff is the key to Corgan’s massive tone. Combine it with chorus for an ethereal effect and use delays to add more depth to the sound.

9. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)

Key Pedals:

• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (KH Signature) – Essential for expressive solos.

• Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 – Adds sustain and clarity to riffs.

• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay – Creates ambiance and echo in solos.

How to Replicate the Sound:

The wah-wah is a cornerstone of Hammett’s sound, especially in solos. Use the Tube Screamer to push the drive and a digital delay to fill out the sonic space.

10. Slash (Guns N' Roses)

Key Pedals:

• Dunlop Cry Baby Wah – Fundamental for Slash’s expressive solos.

• MXR Distortion+ – Adds warmth and saturation to the sound.

• Boss DD-3 Digital Delay – Creates depth and echo in solos.

How to Replicate the Sound:

The wah-wah is essential for Slash’s expressive style. Use a distortion pedal for added warmth and a delay for echo and presence in solos.

Conclusion

Each guitarist has their own signature sound, and pedals play a fundamental role in crafting these legendary tones. While gear helps, touch and interpretation are just as important. Now that you know the secrets of the great masters, try these combinations and discover how to adapt them to your own style!

If you need help choosing the right pedals, check out our store and find the perfect models for your setup! 🎸🔥