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Here’s a list of all the tools and gear I use. Over the years, I’ve experimented with some of the most common recommendations and I’ve found that not everything lives up to the hype.
In places where I’ve since found something better than what I used to recommend, I’ve made sure to include the upgraded suggestion. For instance, I would get the silver MXR 10-Band EQ over the original black one.
Accessories
Capos
Kyser Capo
I’ve had this capo almost as long as I’ve played the guitar. A kid in music class gave it to me over 15 years ago. It turns out that Kyser is a trusted brand for capos. It’s quick to change, easy to use, and reliably keeps your guitar in tune.
Spider Capo
Perfect for creative tunings. The Spider Capo allows you to fret each string individually. It’s ideal for exploring new chords and sounds.
If you’re curious to see the potential of something like this, I would recommend checking out the artists Andy McKee and Antoine Dufour. They’re the ones that exposed me to the spider capo.
Care
Microfibre Cloth
Just a standard microfibre cloth which is easy to get on Amazon. It keeps your guitar looking as good as new. This cloth is gentle on finishes, removing dust and fingerprints without scratching. I usually use the microfibre cloth after I’ve cleaned it first with a regular cloth.
Cloth
A dishcloth that I also got on Amazon. I use this for when the guitar is super filthy.
Gibson Brand Guitar Cleaner
A solid choice for maintaining your guitar’s appearance. It’s safe on all types of guitar finishes and leaves a brilliant shine. Most guitar polishes are going to be fine, but I know this one is good for a fact because I’ve used it for years.
Ernie Ball Microfibre Cloth
I bought this as part of a set a few years ago. It’s another excellent option for keeping your instrument clean. It’s highly absorbent and long-lasting. It’s also much thinner than your average multifibre cloth.
Hygrometer
Essential for monitoring the humidity levels around your guitar. Protect your guitar from warping or cracking due to moisture changes.
I bought this as a secondary hygrometer for a humidifier. That way I can keep my guitars in tune as much as I can. I took a picture of the hygrometer when my humidifier was turned off, as you can probably tell. 18% humidity isn’t great haha.
Levoit Humidifier
This was recommended to me by Rhett Shull and it was a great purchase. This will maintain the ideal humidity level in your studio. It’s a solid choice for the well-being of your acoustic instruments and a lot of your other electronics as well.
Fretboard Conditioner
Fretboard conditioner is just a way to give the wood on your fretboard some love if you live in a cold and dry climate like I do. You don’t need to use this very often. Probably 2x a year, depending on where you live.
Picks
BULB Delrin 0.65mm – The Most Versatile
Probably one of the most versatile picks out there. If you’re into precision picking, these picks are for you. They offer a great grip and consistent tone. It’s great for alternate picking and strumming.
Dunlop Carbon Fiber Jazz III MAX-Grip – My Favourite
This is my favourite guitar pick and the one I use every single day. If I want to switch it up, I’ll use the Tortex Jazz III sometimes as well which has a bit more flex in it. For guitarists who demand precision and speed.
Dunlop Nylon .38mm
Ideal for strummers or acoustic players. These light picks give a softer tone and a comfortable playing experience. Frankly, these are a bit too flimsy for me but beginners tend to like these.
Dunlop Tortex Jazz III
As I said earlier, this is a great pick if you find the carbon fibre ones to be too thick and hard to use. I switch between the Max Grip III and this one sometimes.
Known for their sharp tip and resilient material, these picks are a favourite among lead guitarists for their clear articulation.
Felt Pick
A must-try for ukulele players or a softer tone on acoustic guitars. They offer a unique, mellow sound. It works pretty well for ukulele players because if you try using a hard pick, it’ll sound too “plucky” for lack of a better word.”
Fender 351 Thin
This was one of my favourites when I first started playing the guitar. They are classic picks that are great for beginners. Their flexibility makes for easy strumming.
Fender Heavy
For those who want more control and a thicker tone. These picks are durable and provide a solid grip.
Fender Medium Celluloid
A balanced choice, offering versatility for various playing styles. They’re known for their traditional feel and warm tone. They also look pretty cool.
Horn Guitar Picks
These are Unique picks purportedly made from horn material, offering a distinct feel and tone. Great for experimenting with different sounds.
These are great for playing jazz tunes from the likes of Joe Pass or Wes Montgomery. They also look cool.
Jazz III Variety Pack
Can’t decide on a pick? This pack lets you try different Jazz III models to find your perfect match. This is actually how I discovered the MAX Grip III and the Tortex Pick I mentioned earlier.
Medium Nylon
These picks strike a balance between flexibility and control, suitable for a range of playing styles. They’re probably some of the most popular picks in existence.
Standard Jazz III
A favourite among electric guitarists for their speed and precision. Their small size offers excellent control. These are what introduced me to the world of Jazz III.
Steel Pick
For a brighter and more aggressive tone. These picks are durable and provide a unique sound – a very unique sound. Beware though because they’re not the easiest for a beginner to use.
Thumbpick
Ideal for fingerstyle or banjo players. They offer added control and a consistent tone while fingerpicking. I first discovered these about ten years ago when I was watching Antoine Dufour’s “Spiritual Groove” YouTube video.
Ultex Jazz III
Combining durability and a sharp attack, these picks are great for fast-playing styles.
Headphones and Monitors
ATH-M50x Headphones
Renowned and incredibly popular for their clarity and comfort. These studio headphones are perfect for mixing or just enjoying music.
I see people every day with these headphones. The Bluetooth options are cool too because they come with the ability to use either a wired connection or Bluetooth.
1/4″ to Headphone Adapter
Don’t let an incompatible jack stop you. This adapter is essential for using professional headphones with various audio equipment. I recommend the Ugreen brand on Amazon. They’re reliable and don’t seem low-quality.
iLoud Micro Monitors
Incredible sound in a compact size. I’ve had the iLouds for 3 years now, and they’re perfect monitors for small home studios or musicians on the go. If you want more volume, the MTMs are a bit bigger.
Stands, Furniture, and Lighting
K&M Mic Stand
This is a high-quality stand that I’m glad I bought over a cheaper one. Well worth the money. It’s sturdy and adjustable. A reliable choice for recording sessions or live performances.
AKR Racing Gaming Chair
When I bought this chair I upped my comfort game in my home studio and work space. Comfort meets style. Ideal for long studio sessions, providing great back support and ergonomic design.
If I had to do it over again though, I would’ve spent at least $600-$700 on a gaming chair like this one. With the amount of time you spend in the chair, it’s well worth the money.
Desk Light
Probably one of the better – and inexpensive – purchases I’ve made. It’s essential for late-night music sessions. A good desk light reduces eye strain and keeps your workspace illuminated. It has many purposes.
Ivisii G2 RGB Light
I use this constantly for all kinds of videos and pictures. If you ever look at the content I make on my YouTube channel, the light in the background of all the video frames is either made by the Philips Hue Lights or this Ivisii light.
Sometimes it’s a mixture of both. Either way, I couldn’t recommend this light enough. It’s incredibly powerful and useful.
The battery life lasts about 3 hours at 100% brightness which is pretty good for a portable light like this. I just use the power cord for it though that’s connected to my power bar.
Manfrotto Stand
I messed around with cheaper stands on Amazon for a while and was always disappointed. The Manfrotto brand was the solution to that problem. All of their stuff is high quality. It’s a very versatile, durable, and reliable stand, great for holding lights, cameras, or microphones.
Philips Hue Lights and GO
I adore these lights and use them for all kinds of things. They’re amazing for setting the mood in your studio, for video backgrounds, or even just hanging out.
They can sync with music and create an inspiring atmosphere. I also have 2 of the GO models as well which you can find at the same place.
Surge Protector / Power Bar
![Ditto X2 on Power Bar - Where to Put The Flanger In Your Signal Chain? [ANSWERED] - 1](https://travelingguitarist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ditto-X2-on-Power-Bar-Where-to-Put-The-Flanger-In-Your-Signal-Chain-ANSWERED.webp)
Not much to say about it. Getting the longest power bar you can get is the best move because you want to be able to connect all of your lighting and power supplies to it.
You also want it to be as close as possible to where you’re playing, because then it makes it super easy to turn everything on all at once.
You could get the Furman PST-8 (also on Amazon), which acts as a power conditioner. It’s supposed to supply “cleaner” current to your power supplies, but I’m not sure how true that is.
Recording Equipment
MacBook Pro
The newer MacBook Pros and iPads with the M1 and M2 Chip are great. I don’t think you can go wrong with them.
MouKey Mixer MAMX3
A compact and budget-friendly mixer with enough inputs for a small home studio setup. Super inexpensive, sturdy, and reliable. This one’s a real winner if you ask me.
Shure SM57
The industry standard for miking instruments. This microphone is known for its durability and versatility in capturing a wide range of sounds. This is the primary microphone I use for capturing sound.
iRig HD 2
An interface for the mobile musician. Connect your guitar to your iOS device for playing and recording on the go.
The Through capability on the iRig HD 2 as well as the fact it doesn’t take batteries like the iRig Pro I/O make it a better audio interface, if you ask me. This thing is super small and fits in any bag or pocket.
Multiport Adapter
Multiport adapters are notorious for sucking. This one from j5 is pretty good. I’ve had it for more than a couple of years. Use it to expand your MacBook’s connectivity.
This adapter is a lifesaver for connecting multiple devices simultaneously. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would’ve bought two.
PreSonus AudioBox USB96
A great starter interface for recording. It offers high-quality preamps and is incredibly easy to use. It isn’t the greatest quality, but it’s inexpensive, and it also has something the Scarlett 2i2 doesn’t: MIDI IN/OUT on the back.
Scarlett 2i2
A popular interface among home recordists for its excellent preamps, durability, and easy-to-use features. I have the 3rd generation, but Focusrite recently came out with the 4th. I would just stick to the 3rd for now because I know it works.
Samsung SSD T5
This is another one of those keystone purchases for me. It’s fast and reliable storage for your projects. This SSD is a must-have for keeping your sessions secure and accessible.
I use it for storing all of my sound libraries, presets, and samples as well. I even use it to store GarageBand and Logic’s sound libraries.
Guitars
Fender Acoustic Guitar
This is my brother’s guitar, and it was originally brown. A classic choice for both beginners and professionals. Known for its rich tone and comfortable playability.
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Offers the iconic Les Paul sound at an affordable price. Great for rock, blues, and everything in between. I’ve heard great things about the 1959 standard reissue as well.
ESP Eclipse
A favourite in the metal community. Known for its fast neck and aggressive tone. I’ve had this guitar for years and use it when I need a lot of distortion.
ESP Eclipse II
The newer version and re-branded edition of the Eclipse. A serious guitar for serious players.
Fender Squire Affinity Telecaster
Perfect for those looking for that classic Telecaster twang on a budget. Versatile and reliable. I loved this guitar but had to get rid of it. Make sure to get the Affinity instead of the Bullet.
Fender Squire Affinity Stratocaster
Brings the legendary Stratocaster experience to an affordable price point. Great for a variety of styles. I got this at an auction for like $100. It was a great deal.
PRS SE Custom 24
A beautiful and versatile guitar that punches well above its price class. Ideal for players who want a bit of everything. If you swap out the pickups on this guitar, it’ll compete with $3,000 guitars.
Valencia VC404 Nylon String Guitar
A great entry-level classical guitar. Perfect for fingerstyle and traditional genres. It’s pretty and works well for the price, however, its ability to stay in tune isn’t the best when in harsh climates.
Oscar Schmidt Aloha Ukulele – (Washburn)
A fun and easy-to-play instrument. Perfect for adding a tropical flavour to your music. This one has the same problem as the Valencia. It goes out of tune more often than I’d like, but it’s to be expected considering its price.
Amps
Fender Mini Twin Amplifier
Portable and surprisingly powerful. Great for practice mostly, however, I would say it’s more of. a novelty than anything. These days, I have all of my equipment hooked up in a way where I just press one switch to engage everything.
Orange Crush 35RT
A solid-state amp known for its warm, tube-like tones. Great for practice and small gigs. It also has an FX Loop which is the primary reason why I got it. It’s capable of everything you need for a good price.
Cables and Connectors
Amplifier Cable
This cable is marketed as working perfect for Marshall amps. That may be the case, but I can’t say it does for sure. It does work perfect for Orange amps, at least, because that’s what I’m using it for.
Guitar Cables
Ernie Ball Right-Angle Instrument Cable 1/4″
High-quality cable that minimizes tangling, but really what makes it special is the right angle. This means you can sit on your couch or chair and the jack doesn’t protrude outward. Perfect for home recording.
RoadHog Straight Jack Instrument Cable 1/4″
Durable and reliable, ensuring a clean signal path between your guitar and amp. The RoadHOG series are meant to be extremely durable, and that they are.
Pedal Cables
MXR Power Cables
Essential for powering your pedals. Reliable and noise-free. You’ll have to use Voodoo Labs DC cables instead because I can’t find the MXR ones anywhere.
Hosa Pancake Patch Cables
Save space on your pedalboard with these slim-profile cables. They’re tough, efficient, and high quality. I wish I would’ve chosen these first over the Harley Benton ones.
Daisy Chaining Cables
Power multiple pedals from a single power source. Frankly, I wouldn’t recommend using Daisy Chaining Cables but if you need to, the Fender brand is the way to go.
MXR 1/4″ Stereo Cable
1/4″ Stereo to Dual-Mono Splitter Cable
Perfect for routing your signal to two destinations, like two amps or an amp and a mixer. You can use this for all kinds of purposes.
1/4″ Inline Patch Jack from Planet Waves
A convenient solution for connecting pedals, especially BOSS and EHX pedals. These patch jacks are robust and low-profile.
Recording & Computer Cables
USB-C Cable
Essential for modern music production. Connect your devices to your computer or charging port. Not much to say about this, other than they’re great if you’ve got a super long one (10ft or more).
USB-C Adapter
Expand the capabilities of devices with USB-C ports. A handy tool for modern musicians. I have many of these, probably 4.
USB Multiport/Camera Adapter
You’ll need one of these if you plan on using older mobile devices with audio interfaces. Old phones don’t have the power to drive modern equipment. Keep in mind you don’t have to get the Apple one.
Printer Cable (USB-A to USB-B)
Make sure you choose one that’s 10 feet or longer. The Amazon Basics brand is solid. I’ve had good experiences with all of their cables and adaptors.
USB to Mini-USB Cable
There are a few reasons why you would own one of these, including for connecting to the TCE Vortex Mini Flanger and other devices. It also connects to my Zoom H2.
Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball 9-42 Strings
Popular for their bright tone and easy playability. Great for genres that require a lighter touch. There was a time when I used heavier strings, but these are a go-to for me now.
Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottoms
Offers the best of both worlds – light tops for easy bending and heavy bottoms for a fuller rhythm tone.
Elixir 11-49
Known for their long-lasting tone. Perfect for players who don’t want to change strings too often. However, I like changing strings so I just buy Ernie Balls now.
D’Addario Pro Arté
A top choice for classical guitarists. These strings offer a warm, rich tone and consistent quality.
Books & Learning Resources
Engineering
I recommend you read the following Engineering books in the order I’ve presented them.
Timothy Dittmar’s Audio Engineering 101
A great starting point for beginners in audio engineering. The book breaks down complex concepts into understandable segments. I recommend you read this one first.
The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook by Bobby Owsinski
A staple for anyone interested in the art of mixing. Full of practical advice and industry secrets. I’ve read this book probably 4 times. It’s extremely practical, ie, “do X get Y”-type of advice.
The Art of Mixing by David Gibson
A visually comprehensive guide to mixing music. It’s as informative as it is visually engaging. There’s a good video online you can watch too.
Mixing Audio from Roey Izhaki
This book covers everything from basic concepts to advanced techniques in audio mixing.
Maintenance & Repair
Dan Erlewine’s Guitar Player Repair Guide
An essential guide for guitar maintenance and repair. It’s packed with practical tips and tricks. A very good reference manual for guitarists who want to know how to set up their guitar.
Music Theory
JamPlay
An online platform offering guitar lessons across various genres. Great for learners at any skill level.
Mark Levine’s Jazz Theory Book
This was recommended to me by a professional guitarist. It’s a must-read for aspiring jazz musicians (really, any kind of musician). It covers theory in a comprehensive and digestible way.
Mark Sarnecki’s Complete Elementary Music Rudiments
Ideal for beginners wanting to learn music theory from the ground up. I’ve recommended these books probably a hundred times. They are what taught me music theory.
PianoForAll
This is an innovative and interactive way to learn piano. Suitable for beginners and intermediate players. Why recommend this on a guitar site? Because you’ll understand the guitar better if you know the piano too.
Punkademic’s Music Theory Course (All-Access Pass)
Probably the cheapest way to get into music theory. Simply put, it’s a college course that costs nothing. Comprehensive and engaging, this course covers everything from basic to advanced music theory.
Get the All-Access Pass that I mentioned and you’ll get every single thing the site has to offer.
Music Business
All You Need to Know About the Music Business from Donald Passman
A bible for anyone looking to make a career in music. It covers legal, financial, and organizational aspects.
Masterclass Metallica
Learn from the legends. This masterclass offers unique insights into songwriting and performing.
Richard Schulenberg’s Legal Aspects of the Music Industry: An Insider’s View
If you get tired of speculating about the legal side of contentious and controversial issues in music, this is the book you need to read.
It’s not the easiest read, but ultimately, it’s an invaluable resource for understanding the legal side of music. This book has everything that you want and need to know, although, it could use an update.
Tab Books and Technique
Mastering the Guitar Series – Mel Bay
This is the book that taught me how to play guitar when I was a kid. It’s a comprehensive series for learning the guitar. Suitable for beginners to advanced players. I got all the way to 2C.
Joseph Alexander’s Funk Guitar Mastery
Dive into the world of funk guitar with this detailed guide. Great for intermediate to advanced players. This is a cool book for practicing right-hand rhythms.
Joseph Alexander’s Jazz Chord Guitar Mastery
If you especially like jazz for the chords, this is a good book for you. It’s a deep dive into jazz chords and progressions. Ideal for guitarists looking to expand their jazz vocabulary.
Metallica’s Master of Puppets Book
Dive deep into one of Metallica’s iconic albums. Great for fans and guitar players looking to learn their songs. Probably one of my favourite tab books.
Metallica’s Kill’em All
Another essential for Metallica enthusiasts. This book offers insights into their early work. Some people say it’s mostly Dave Mustaine’s work, but I’m not sure how true that is.
Van Halen’s Greatest Hits
A great tab book featuring some of the most popular songs from Van Halen – the best of Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth-era Van Halen.
Maintenance & Repair Tools
0.050″ Wrench
Handy for making precise adjustments to your guitar hardware. This is for the PRS SE Custom 24, specifically.
1/4″ Screwdriver
A must-have tool for general guitar maintenance. I use this on all of my guitars.
5/16″ Truss Rod Wrench
Essential for adjusting your guitar’s neck, particularly the ESP Eclipse and others that use this size.
4mm (5/32) Truss Rod Wrench
Different guitars require different tools. But this size is common for many models, including the Epiphone Les Paul Custom.
7mm Truss Rod Wrench
This is the one that came in the bag for my PRS SE Custom 24.
DeoxIT D5
The go-to solution for cleaning electronic contacts. Improves performance and prolongs the life of your gear. You can use this instead of WD-40.
Digital Caliper
Perfect for measurements in guitar setup and maintenance. It works well considering the price, but if you’re super serious about getting the exact measurement, you’ll need to spend way more money on a digital calliper.
Flathead Screwdriver
Useful for a variety of guitar adjustments and repairs.
Feeler Gauges
Essential for setting precise string action and pickup height. I use these for setting up every guitar of mine.
Music Nomad KISS Setup Kit
Everything you need for basic guitar setup and maintenance in one convenient package. I don’t personally own this toolkit, but I recommend it to people who want everything in one, rather than buying piece by piece.
Snark Clip-on Tuner
I love this tuner and don’t care what the haters say. It’s a popular choice for quick and accurate tuning. Its compact size makes it a great addition to any gig bag.
Soldering Gun
I got this at an auction not that long ago. It’s a good choice for guitar wiring repairs or modifications. Made in the USA.
Sperzel Locking Tuners 3+3
Upgrade your guitar with these high-quality tuners for better tuning stability. I like Sperzel locking tuners a lot because they save tons of time.
Steel Ruler 6″ Mitutoyo
I’ve recommended this ruler many times. Precision is key in guitar setup. This ruler helps with accurate measurements, and it doesn’t cost much.
Fretboard Conditioner
Keep your fretboard in top condition. This conditioner helps prevent cracks and keeps the wood healthy.
Ernie Ball Power PEG Electric String Winder
I don’t have one of these but it’s my Amazon cart as we speak. Speed up string changes with this handy tool. A real time-saver. It takes way too long to wind the pegs by hand.
Superfine 0000 Wool
Ideal for polishing and cleaning your guitar without scratching the finish. Make sure to use painter’s tape so you don’t damage anything else while you’re using it. It’s also best to use in the garage because particles of steel wool get around.
Tape Measure
A high-quality tape measure that I got from Canadian Tire. It’s useful for measuring scale length and ensuring proper placement of hardware.
Wirecutters
Essential for trimming string ends and other guitar maintenance tasks. I used to use pliers, but wirecutters are way better for cutting strings.
Pedals & FX
Pedals
Behringer UT300 Tremolo
An imitation of the BOSS Tremolo pedal. Great for creating rhythmic pulsations. Not a high-quality pedal though, it just sounds good.
Behringer SuperFuzz SF300
Perfect for those seeking a gritty, vintage fuzz sound. Again it’s Behringer so it’s all plastic. Sounds great though.
Behringer UV300 Vibrato
Create natural-sounding vibrato effects. Ideal for adding depth to your tone. I used to use this all of the time before I got the Walrus Audio Julia V2.
BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay
I love this delay pedal and it’s on my board right now as we speak. A versatile delay pedal with multiple modes. Excellent for experimenting with echo effects. The BOSS DD-8 is a great pedal too (on Amazon/Thomann).
BOSS DS-1
The quintessential distortion pedal. Known for its hard-edged attack and smooth sustain. I’ve made a YouTube video about this before.
BOSS FS-7 Footswitch
Another pedal that’s currently in my shopping cart. It’s a compact, dual footswitch. Great for controlling pedals or switching amp channels.
BOSS RC-1 Loop Station
Perfect for practice and creativity, particularly for beginner loopers. Lets you layer sounds and create full arrangements.
BOSS RC-5 Loop Station
A serious upgrade from the RC-1, with more features and memory. Ideal for advanced loop creations. This is my go-to looper pedal. It’s capable of a lot.
BOSS TU-3 Tuner
A staple on many pedalboards. Known for its accuracy and durability. This one’s on my board now too.
DigiTech Whammy DT
If I had to do it over again, I would get the Whammy DT instead of the Whammy IV. It’s a pitch-shifting pedal that offers a range of expressive options, including drop tuning and harmonizing.
DigiTech Whammy Pedal V
The classic Whammy experience with added versatility. Great for creating unique pitch-based effects. Make sure you get the V instead of the IV. The old one uses AC power which is annoying.
Dunlop Crybaby Wah-Wah
A legendary pedal for expressive wah effects. Essential for funk, rock, and everything in between. The Crybaby Mini Wah (on Amazon) is probably a better bet because it’s much smaller and has a true bypass.
EHX Nano Q-Tron Envelope Filter
This is a pretty cool pedal that I use fairly often. Add a funky, dynamic filter effect to your playing. Great for groovy, percussive sounds.
EHX Silencer Noise Gate
Control unwanted noise from your pedal chain by putting it in your FX Loop. A must-have for high-gain setups. Add in an ISP Decimator in front of your amp and you’ve got plenty of noise reduction.
EHX Soul Food
I love the Soul Food and like to use it alongside my Morning Glory. Known for its transparent overdrive. Enhances your tone without altering it too much.
ISP Decimator Noise Gate
I’ve had the Decimator for a long time. It’s a powerful tool for eliminating noise and hum. Keep your tone clean and clear.
Ibanez TS 9 Tube Screamer
A classic overdrive pedal. Adds warmth and grit to your tone. Not my favourite drive pedal, but it’s good at what it does (a mushy drive, in my opinion).
JHS Morning Glory V4
My favourite drive pedal. It’s a versatile overdrive with a great range of tones. Perfect for blues, rock, and more.
JHS Little Black Amp Box
A simple, effective tool for managing your amp’s volume. Perfect for achieving the sweet spot of your tube amp at manageable volumes, particularly for us apartment players.
JOYO Atmosphere R-14 Digital Reverb
The JOYO Atmosphere honestly surprised me when I first got it. I first heard about them on Rhett Shull’s channel, and I didn’t think much at the time.
It has an extremely cool blue LED on the bottom of the pedal that I love and some interesting reverb types like “Rewind” and “Comet.”
Ultimately, you get a really versatile and stylish reverb pedal at a competitive price when you grab the R-14.
Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeler
A legendary and versatile multi-effect pedal. Offers a wide range of effects in a single, convenient unit. If you go on YouTube, you’ll see all kinds of people singing this pedal’s praises. Almost 20 years later and it’s still a great-sounding multi-FX pedal.
M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedal
A dirt-cheap expression pedal that works great considering its price. You can enhance your control over effects with this expression pedal. Compatible with a variety of units.
MXR 10-Band EQ
Fine-tune your sound with this equalizer. It’s great for sculpting your tone precisely, however, I’d recommend getting the silver one over this one because it has a noise-gate built-in.
MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Known for its warm, rich delay. I use this pedal alongside my Digital delay and I love it. It adds depth and dimension to your playing. It sounds awesome.
MXR Clone Looper
![MXR Clone Looper - How to Use the MXR Clone Looper Pedal [Full Tutorial]](https://travelingguitarist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MXR-Clone-Looper-How-to-Use-the-MXR-Clone-Looper-Pedal-Full-Tutorial-1000-×-700-px.webp)
A high-quality looper pedal. Simple to use, yet offers powerful features for creativity. If you want a pedal that’s a bit more advanced and feature-rich than the RC-1, but don’t want to spring for the RC-5, this is a decent pedal.
However, the Ditto X2 is a better pedal. The problem with the TCE Ditto is that it’s hard to find.
MXR Dyna-Comp
A classic compressor that adds smooth sustain and tightens up your tone. I use this thing on my board almost daily.
Source Audio Programmable EQ 2
This is a cool, high-quality, well-built EQ pedal. An advanced EQ with programmable presets. Tailor your sound for different guitars or styles. This thing is built like a tank and it’s sleek.
TC Electronics Vortex Mini Flanger
Compact and powerful. Delivers classic tape flange sounds. It’s super small and fits on any board. It sounds great.
TCE Hall of Fame Reverb 2
This reverb pedal rules. It’s rich with expansive and versatile sounds. Offers a variety of reverb types.
TC Electronic Ditto X2 Looper
This is an awesome and very easy-to-use looper pedal, that’s unfortunately quite hard to find. I had to get mine on eBay.
Walrus Audio Julia V2
As explored in my detailed review, this pedal offers a range of lush chorus and vibrato effects. An extremely versatile chorus/vibrato pedal that looks awesome. If you need a chorus or vibrato, this is good for you.
Power Supplies
9V AC to DC adapter – Dunlop ECB-003
Essential for powering pedals that require a 9V adapter. This is the one I recommend to people if you don’t know what to get.
9V AC to DC BOSS Adapter
Reliable power source for BOSS pedals and other compatible devices. This is the one BOSS tells you to get but any 9v adapter will work just fine.
Carbon-Zinc Battery 9V and Alkaline 9V
Always handy to have as backups for pedals that can run on batteries. Carbon batteries are supposed to sound better in some pedals over others.
MXR Isobrick M238
A high-quality power supply for multiple pedals. Reduces noise and ensures consistent power delivery. I used this a lot before I got the Pedal Power 3 +
Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 3 Plus
A big upgrade from the Isobrick. The main reason why I got the Pedal Power 3 + is that I outgrew the Isobrick. I needed more outputs for more pedals, and I needed one that had 500mAh for each port.
Simply put, the PP 3+ can power 10 pedals and it’s a trusted power solution due to its reliability and noise-free operation. Make sure to get the Pedal Power 3 +, and not the other ones though.
Software & Apps
Blue Cat Audio Hot Tuna
A precise and versatile tuning plugin. Great for studio and live settings. Dirt cheap and effective.
Blue Cat Audio’s Axiom
This is my go-to amp sim. I’ve used it for years. An advanced guitar and bass plugin suite. Offers a wide range of tones and effects.
Guitar Pro 8
A powerful tool for writing, playing, and learning guitar music. Ideal for practicing and composing. I should’ve had Guitar Pro years ago.
Guitar Rig 7 PRO
Offers a vast array of amp effects. A staple for home-recording guitarists, especially guitarists who like FX. Get the upgraded edition, not 6.
Melodyne 5
I’ve had Melodyne for years. It’s essential for pitch correction and creative audio editing. Great for vocals and instrument tuning. Works in every DAW too.
