You might already know that playing your guitar can improve a lot of things around you. It could help with your mood and stress levels. When people think of acoustic guitar tones, they picture something soft and dreamy. 

But did you know that using effects pedals in your acoustic could improve the quality of your sound? They don’t make your music sound better, but they can also give you an even more profound effect.

Hook your listeners to the typical rock sound with your acoustic. The higher-pitched, crisp sound that resembles a plugged-in electric guitar is what adds punch and character.

Why Acoustic Players Should Use Stompboxes

It's no surprise that electric guitar players use effects pedals to enhance their performances and sound. Acoustic guitarists have been using them for years. There are some cool reasons why they should too.

Acoustic players are always on the lookout for new and improved ways to improve the tone of their instruments. Whether it be by using pickup upgrades or effects pedals. If you’re done with the upgrades, then you should give these stompboxes a chance. Stompboxes are unique effects pedals made for electric guitars. It is associated traditionally with rock music. You can also use this to enhance the sound produced by acoustic guitars.

It comes in all shapes and sizes. They can be small enough to hide behind a microphone stand. But big enough to generate tons of volume when needed. 

These effects pedals are one of the most valuable additions you can add. Or even use it as a different instrument. It is an accomplished musician's secret weapon that allows him/her to express their music a step further. You see, using such a device gives you access to some tremendous sound-altering tools. 

Some of the examples are pitch shifting and distortion. It’s a pedal that allows you to change certain aspects of your tone in ways no other instrument can. It adds so much more character and personality to the sound. While at the same time giving it a sound that's darker, sharper, and bigger than usual.

Can You Connect Stompboxes To An Acoustic Guitar?

You’ve got your acoustic all setup, you’ve learned how to tune it, and can play your fingers off. You’re getting better every day and the sky’s the limit – or so you thought. It sure can be fun playing an acoustic guitar. No matter how good you get or how often your jam, there are only so many notes you can play on a clean-toned instrument. And, as fun, as it is to play some Stevie Ray Vaughn or Eric Johnson tunes once in a while, after a time you may find yourself feeling a bit stale. 

You might have even thought about adding some pedals to your setup at one point. Or, another but never got around to it because of complexity and other concerns. 

But now you want to experiment but…how do you use one with an acoustic?

Can you connect stompboxes to an acoustic guitar? Yes! Using pedals with an acoustic amp is a great way to add some extra sonic colors to your acoustic guitar setup. This will improve the sound and tone of your acoustic guitar. Sound is created by various types of effects. Your acoustic guitar is like an electric one but with a different set of strings. So, there isn’t much difference between them.

The use of electric guitar effects on an acoustic guitar has become pretty common. Especially in the rock genre. But, there is one major obstacle when using electric guitar effects with an acoustic guitar. You need to connect the cable between your acoustic and the effects unit.

It sounds a bit different from the regular tone that one gets from an acoustic guitar. But it is good for people who love playing acoustically. Also, those who want to feel like they are performing together with a group of other musicians.

What Are The Best Stompboxes For Acoustic Guitar?

Acoustic guitars have been around for many years. You can use them in a wide range of genres, from country to pop music and even some rock music styles. Over that time, acoustic guitars have evolved through technological advancements.

An acoustic guitar is an acoustic instrument. It produces sound via the vibration of the strings inside the body. But, you can also use enhance the sounds with some effects pedals. When you hook up a stompbox to an acoustic guitar, it's like adding another instrument. In a sense, you'll have something similar to a synth.

This article will talk about the best stompboxes for acoustic guitars and the different effects that you can use for an acoustic guitar.

1. Reverb

Reverb is an effect for vocalists, synths, and drums. It is usually characterized by a period of delay that is connected to an adjustment of the computed signal. It gives the effect of extra space. 

If ambient reverb comes from a specific place, such as a room or concert hall, then it gives the listener a sense of where the recorded performance took place. When it comes to guitars, reverb means that many instruments can be heard simultaneously. This enables us to hear something which you cannot hear without reverb. And which helps us enjoy the music and sound.

2. Delay

Delay pedals will enhance the sound of your acoustic guitar. It’s a good way of making your song melodious. Delays are echo effects intended to make your music sound better.

Delay is a common effect that you find in a stompbox. Whenever you are using your guitar, the most natural rhythm is to strum and then take a breathing pause. 

A perfect example is when you play an acoustic guitar and use the stompbox. Playing solo, for example, on an acoustic guitar using a delay pedal will transform your performance. It will give the sound of other instruments. Such as horns and takes away the monotony associated with the same rhythm repeating again and again. It also adds life to your solo rendering it more interesting and fun to listen to.

3. Tremolo

As a guitar player, what do you think when you hear the word 'tremolo'? You're probably thinking about something that creates rhythmical sound effects. When talking about guitars and music in general, they use tremolo to create volume "dips" with low intensity and duration. 

The tremolo effect is often used for creating a sense of motion or even as an auxiliary effect. Nowadays, there's no need for a large and expensive amplifier to produce a good guitar signal going through a small output speaker. Today's technology offers stompbox-powered pedals that are more than capable of giving you what you want. A tremolo effect on your instrument signal.

4. Chorus

The chorus effect is everywhere! From pop and rock to funk and jazz, there's a chorus effect in almost every genre. The only place you're likely not going to hear it is classical music.

When it comes to stompboxes, most people think of electric guitars and their needs. Yet, stompboxes can be great for acoustic guitar as well. The chorus is often used in acoustic shows because it adds a nice effect to your music. It is not surprising that the sound of a guitar is so popular. This may be because it gives off a warm, rich sound and everyone loves this type of music. The sound range of an acoustic guitar is also rich. It can give out smooth and velvety sounds to hard, metallic sounds and soft, gentle sounds to loud rock types of beats. The sounds can vary depending on what you play on it.

5. Pitch Shift

Pitch shifting is a great tool for adding a touch of creativity to your acoustic guitar playing. Creating harmonies and bass lines by looping your guitar's sound can add some interesting textures to your guitar playing. But it requires some very specific approaches. 

When it comes to stompboxes, the pitch-shifting effect is one of the most popular. Pitch shifting is a cool effect as it's easy to get and sounds great. You can use the pedal to thicken up your sound, add a lead part to your guitar lick, or even for singing. Plus, you can use many harmonizers for guitar tuning. And extend the effect by playing chords that can be a real blast!

6. Distortion

Musicians used distortion pedals to alter the acoustic guitar’s sound. This is done by adding gain, which pushes the signal beyond its gain. But it is not as simple as increasing your volume. It may sound odd, but it adds the right amount of dirt and grit to the sound making it interesting. It also allows you to add an exclamation to whatever you are playing.

Think of it as an octave pedal button that you can tune and comes with a natural overdrive to make your sound more interesting. Speaking of enhancing your sound, the pedal adds a little bit of compression to the signal. It adds a rich tone that is warm and clear.

7. Phaser

If you are searching for the best stompboxes for acoustic guitars, you should know that phaser pedals exist. You should also know that acoustic guitars sound different than electric guitars. Combining a phaser pedal with an acoustic guitar is not as simple as plugging it into an amp.

Phaser pedals are popular with electric guitar players. Because they produce a swirling sound that's smooth and beautiful. When using a phaser pedal on an acoustic guitar, it is important to find the right balance between effect and tone. If you cannot dial in the proper amount of phaser, you may ruin the sound you are attempting to achieve.

Types of Acoustic Effects Pedals

Your acoustic guitar is a lot different than your electric guitar since it does not have pickups or electrical components. But, you can enhance the sound of your acoustic guitar by using an effects pedal.

Acoustic Simulator

Acoustic simulators will be one type of pedal that you can use to add effects to your acoustic guitar. This type of pedal makes the sound of your acoustic song like an electric guitar. This will add a unique and new sound to your original acoustic guitar. 

Effects pedals are something that most people associate with electric guitars. They're used by guitar players who want to add more effects or change the sound of their guitar. But in reality, you don't need an electric guitar to use one. You can even use effects pedals on an acoustic guitar as well.

Acoustic Preamp

While an acoustic guitar's construction and materials have a lot to do with its sound, the preamp is one of the elements that can shape this sound. The preamp that is used by your acoustic guitar is dependent upon the type of acoustic effects pedals you are using on your acoustic guitar. Mainly how many and the type of channels you have available. Acoustic preamps are also called acoustic guitar amps. But, there is a difference between the two.

If you have watched any live performance of an acoustic guitar played via a PA system, you noticed how quiet it sounds. In the studio, an acoustic guitar can be amplified by placing the microphone in front of the hole. But this method only works in live shows because the microphone might pick up some unwanted noise from nearby instruments. That is why many performers use a preamp.

Acoustic Singer

Are you a solo singer/guitarist or have a small band and need to give your tracks that extra something? Then it's time to introduce acoustic effects pedals into your setup. These pedals are the all-in-one solution. It provides reverb, delay, and distortion effects that can transform the sound of your instrument.

The right effects pedal can take a good vocalist and turn them into a great one. Add the right hit to a guitar solo, or make an instrument sparkle. Acoustic singers can enjoy using effects pedals to add more dimension and liveliness to their vocals.

BOSS Acoustic Stompboxes

• AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

• AD-2 Acoustic Preamp

• AD-10 Acoustic Preamp

• VE-8 Acoustic Singer

Top BOSS Acoustic Stompboxes:AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

Introducing the latest authentic BOSS compact pedal is the AC-3 Acoustic Simulator. How many times have you been onstage or in the studio and wished you brought an acoustic guitar? Well, this pedal has your solution. The AC-3, by BOSS, emulates the sound of an acoustic guitar with incredible precision.

AC-3 is an AC-based Acoustic Simulator Pedal that recreates the sound of playing a classic acoustic guitar using your electric guitar. Acoustic guitars have long been used in music and are especially popular with folk and country musicians. In fact, there are some songs out there that are only available in acoustical versions. 

This has led to a demand for acoustic sounds from those with electric instruments. While the idea of hauling around a second guitar on stage or in the studio might not be appealing, the AC-3 can provide you with some acoustic sounds while taking up very little space in your gear bag.

The AC-3 was designed to give you the sound of a high-quality acoustic guitar amplifier. The controls allow you to select: body type (jumbo, dreadnought, classical, small jumbo), top material (Spruce, etc.), and pickup type. This essentially allows you to turn your axe into an electric acoustic.

Let’s hear how mrpedal’s electric guitar changed into an acoustic using the BOSS AC-3!

Do You Need Effects Pedals On Your Acoustic Guitar? 

Do you need effects pedals on your acoustic guitar? This is a question that you should ask yourself before buying them. Many guitarists don’t use them, and they are just fine. However, the reason why many guitarists buy these pedals is that they give an interesting sound to the guitar. Pedals can improve the tone of your guitar and make the stand out among other acoustic guitars out there.

If your acoustic guitar is a regular brad, stompboxes may not be considered. You can always make an acoustic sound interesting even without effects pedals by simply playing different chords or strumming techniques. It is important to note that when you are recording or performing live, the acoustic pedal is an effective tool for making some changes in the sound of your guitar.

Conclusion

Acoustic guitars are one of the favorite musical instruments among people who love to listen to a wide range of melodies. Even before the guitar became popular, folk musicians were using the natural acoustic sound of their guitar as an instrument. Although it may not be perfect, it can produce different kinds of notes depending on how they pluck it and strum its strings. However, with the introduction of various acoustic guitar effects, musicians have learned to modify their acoustic guitars to produce a wider range of sounds.

Effects pedals can be confusing and overwhelming for acoustic guitarists, especially beginners. Still, once you get the hang of different kinds of effects and find the right pedals, then your acoustic guitar will transform into something much better. 

Many professional guitarists have at least one or two effects pedals for their acoustic guitar to create different sounds and styles when playing their instrument. There are numerous kinds of effects pedals that can be attached to acoustics. The most common ones include chorus,delay,flangers, rotary speakers, and wah-wah pedals.

Want to Learn More About BOSS Guitar Pedals?

• BOSS Guitar Pedal Overview: BASS
  
• BOSS Guitar Pedal Overview: Synth
  
• BOSS Guitar Pedal Overview: Distortion/Overdrive