What ‘pedal effect’ would you say revolutionized the world of electric guitar? I’m not asking for brand names.

So things were awfully quiet on Twitter today, not sure what’s going on, but the action has been light. I thought I’d shake things up with another Twitter/Facebook question. I have to say, I really like asking these questions and getting some great feedback and responses.

Today I asked “What ‘pedal effect’ would you say revolutionized the world of electric guitar”. I wasn’t looking for brand names or specific models, I was looking for ‘types’ of effects (ie: fuzz, etc). I was curious what was the effect that took things to the next level in the guitar world. It was basically broken down into the following sections (Wah, Fuzz/Distortion, Delay and Phaser). Looks like the Fuzz/Distortion category took it to the house, and I would probably agree myself.

Wah

beeflin @effectsbay Wah-wah was the first effect that gave guitar a whole new dimension.
Brustin @effectsbay The wah pedal. Possibly the most influential pedal effect. Another one might be tremolo.
tobymgraves @effectsbay wah
GarethDEdwards @effectsbay I think the whammy pedal was the first completely new pedal type for a long time
LeeChavez @effectsbay The Wah pedal, or the Whammy pedal. By far. Or at least for me.

Fuzz / Distortion

lostwarsmusic RT @guitarnoize @effectsbay it would have been the Fuzz…/ absolutely germanium fuzz pedaals came before actual distortion. REVOLUTION
guitarnoize @effectsbay I reckon it would have been the Fuzz
gmiddleb @effectsbay Distortion (+fuzz, +od). Then comes Wah. Not a big fan of the wah, but gotta give it credit.
RandallMBrown @effectsbay Distortion pedals were probably the most significant. Second, I’d say delays.
SDMFNoah @effectsbay the first original distortion and wah
VergeofBliss @Petroguy @effectsbay +1 on the fuzz
Petroguy @effectsbay Without a doubt the Fuzz. Jimmy Hendrix shook up the guitar as we know it and is still being felt.
chaddbrooks @effectsbay hands down…..fuzz
thejessalexa @effectsbay DISTORTION!!! <3
GeeHalen @effectsbay revolutionary pedals: Fuzz Face, DS-1, and delays.
coolsmokintodd @effectsbay Has to be overdrive/fuzz/distortion ala Hendrix.
urbanwilliams @effectsbay overdrive.
stratoblogster @effectsbay I guess the first fuzz circuit configs put out by Mike Matthews of EHX in the 60’s, following the Stones “Satisfaction”
Frank Levine gotta be the original effect – the Fuzz! I would say “Reverb” but it was built into amps primarily and not really a “pedal effect”.
Bob Thomas I’d say 1.Fuzz 2.Wah wah 3.EchoPlex 4.Flanger
Mark Goebel Fuzz, wah wah

Delay

lloydtones @effectsbay I’m going with Delays in general on this one.
euginis @effectsbay Easily the delay pedal. Giving guitarists the chance to play with a “virtual second musician” is revolutionary, in my opinion!
Newtypoo @effectsbay the delay effects pedal, totally 😛
Matt Stevens Delay
George Desroches III The Digital Delay pedal. That’s what i’m sticking with

Modulation (Phase/Flange)

BrooksCS @effectsbay Phaser…..the various derivatives have really made some monumental tones and songs

Please, if you have an opinion, please comment below!