Ask the Expert – Acoustic pedals for alternating pick and finger styles

Rev Graham Hunter from London asks:

“When leading worship on acoustic guitar, I sometimes want to adjust the tone to reflect the change between strumming with a plectrum, and then finger-picking. Should I get an EQ pedal, or a compression pedal, or both? And what do you recommend – both in terms of make / model and also settings? (I play a Maton EM325c, and sometimes a Tanglewood SJ5.) Thanks for your help!”

Andy replies:

I’d probably go for an EQ pedal in this instance. I would leave it off for strumming and then kick it in for picking. A good set up starting point would be to boost the volume and mid frequencies to help the picking come through over the band. A compressor pedal could do a similar job but a lot of them are designed mainly for electric guitars and could wreck your original acoustic tone. Plus if you compress it too much it gets difficult to adjust the natural volume of your picking hand dynamics. A volume pedal will do a similar job but of course you won’t be able to boost and cut individual frequencies.

There are few EQ pedals out there of differing qualities but the general rule is the more bands (sliders) you have the more control over your tone. There are a few models available so do a bit of research first. Also get one that works off a standard negative tip 9v supply so you can easily hook it up with other pedals. MXR do great quality stuff and good old Boss have offered an EQ for years and although it’s intended for electric I’m told that a $20 mail order mod from Monte Allums does wonders for the transparency if you can solder.

Check out Musicademy’s Worship Guitar DVDs

If you’ve found this article helpful we know there will be loads you will love on ourworship guitar DVDs and downloads. Check them out:

• Beginning Guitar
• The Worship Guitar Collection
• Intermediate Acoustic Guitar
• Intermediate Electric Guitar
• For links to the downloads of the above DVDs click here
• Free Musicademy lessons on YouTube

Other posts you might like:

Pedals for acoustic guitars

Pedaltrain Mini – downsizing my rig

Which pedals do I need to start playing in a worship band? Part 1, part 2 & part 3

Gear confessional – Andy’s pedal rig

Gear confessional – pedals