Which Pedal Will Make My Guitar Sound Like Hendrix?
Hey there all you guitar enthusiasts out there! Do you ever wonder how Jimi Hendrix managed to make his guitar sound like it was speaking to you? How he was able to create those silky smooth sustain, lush and warm fuzz, throaty wah, and that iconic Octavia effect? Well, wonder no more my friends, in this blog post I’m going to break down the secret to recreating that classic Hendrix sound…through the use of pedals!
So, let’s get started with the basics shall we?
Before we dive into which pedals to use, it’s important to understand the equipment that Jimi Hendrix personally used. He played a right-handed Stratocaster guitar (even though he was left-handed, he learned to play right-handed) and, a Marshall Super Lead 100W amplifier. For his pedal effects, he used a variety of different pedals, including the Fuzz Face, Vox Wah, and the Octavia pedal.
Now that we have a good understanding of the gear Hendrix used, let’s take a look at which pedals you should use to recreate the iconic Hendrix sound.
1. The Fuzz Face
The Fuzz Face is a legendary pedal that was made famous by Jimi Hendrix himself. This pedal is pretty simple in its design, with only two knobs – volume and fuzz. Its classic tones are created by overdriving the input of the amplifier and creating a warm, fuzzy, and thick distortion.
To recreate Hendrix’s tone, it is recommended that you use a germanium-based Fuzz Face. Germanium transistors were used in the original Fuzz Faces that Jimi used in the 60s and 70s. These transistors have a unique tonal character, which drastically improves the sound quality of the pedal.
When it comes to Fuzz Face pedals, there are a ton of options available out there. However, the two most popular options are the Dunlop Fuzz Face and the Fulltone ’69 Fuzz. The Dunlop Fuzz Face is an authorized redesign of the original ’69 Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face, and it comes in both germanium and silicon transistor versions. The Fulltone ’69 is a fantastic alternative to the Dunlop Fuzz Face, as it uses high-end components to create that classic Hendrix sound.
2. Vox Wah
Jimi Hendrix was known for his use of the Vox Wah pedal on songs like “Voodoo Child” and “Little Wing”. The Wah pedal is essentially a filter pedal that changes the sound of your guitar by sweeping a bandpass filter across the frequency spectrum. This creates a signature vocal-like effect that is utilized in a variety of genres.
When it comes to choosing a Wah pedal to emulate Hendrix’s sound, it is important to choose a pedal that has a vintage tone similar to the original Vox Wah. The two most popular pedals for this purpose are the Vox V846-HW Handwired Wah and the Dunlop JH-1B Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah.
The Vox V846-HW Handwired Wah is as close as you can get to the original Vox Wah that Jimi Hendrix used. This pedal features a hand-wired inductor, an improved potentiometer, and a selection of high-end components used to create that classic sound.
The Dunlop JH-1B Jimi Hendrix Signature Wah is another fantastic option that was created specifically to replicate the sound of the original Vox Wah. This pedal is perfect for recreating Hendrix’s vintage tones, and it features a variety of different control options to help you get exactly the sound you’re looking for.
3. Octavia
The Octavia pedal is an octave fuzz that was used famously by Hendrix on tracks like “Purple Haze” and “Fire”. This pedal creates an octave-up effect by doubling the frequency of the input signal, creating a unique, otherworldly sound that is perfect for psychedelic or experimental music.
When it comes to Octavia pedals, there is really only one option, and that is the Roger Mayer Octavia. This pedal was the original Octavia that was used by Hendrix himself and helped create that iconic sound. This pedal sits perfectly between a fuzz and an octave effect and is guaranteed to take you straight back to the 60s.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks, the three essential pedals to help you recreate that classic Hendrix sound. By using the Fuzz Face, Vox Wah, and Octavia pedal, you can start to capture the guitar tone that made Jimi Hendrix one of the most iconic guitarists of all time.
Remember, while the specific pedals are important, the key to recreating Hendrix’s sound is in the technique, so keep practicing, and you’ll be playing “Purple Haze” in no time!
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