12 Pedals Acoustic Players Should Check Out

The acoustic segment of the guitar effects kingdom is a different beast. Plenty of acoustic cats take pride in sounding as pure as possible as they travel along a traditional path. Many others enjoy using effects to wash the woodiness right out of their acoustic tones. In addition, loopers, high-tech direct boxes, beat boxes, and all-in-one multipurpose machines can be godsends as practice tools, as well as to raise live performances to new heights.

Looking at the effects beast from all angles, I selected 12 pedals for their innovation, price, controls, connectivity, and, of course, tone. This list is by no means meant to be comprehensive, but, hopefully, each pedal represents the kinds of processing today’s acoustic player should consider.

BOSS
Waza Craft CE-2W Chorus
$199 street

Chorus is the tried-and-true modulation effect for acoustics, because a good one can make your 6-string sound as big and beautiful as a 12-string, and a 12-string sound like a symphony. The CE-2W combines the chorus and vibrato effects of the fabled BOSS CE-2 and CE-1 pedals.
boss.info^[1]

D’ADDARIO
Chromatic Tuner Pedal
$69 street

Even if you’re only messing around with different tunings, you need a quick, accurate chromatic tuner, and it’s absolutely essential for open-tuning aficionados. This one is affordable, small, and has a fine full color display.
daddario.com^[2]

EARTHQUAKER DEVICES
Avalanche Run
$295 street

The Avalanche Run produces a rich stereo reverb and delay with tap tempo, and it offers oodles of sound-shaping controls with six functions assignable to an expression pedal. Bound to inspire creativity.
earthquakerdevices.com^[3]

ELECTRO-HARMONIX
Tone Corset
$89 street

Compression is essential for acoustic fingerpickers, harmonic slappers, and body tappers alike. This great-sounding, yet affordable analog compressor/sustainer features controls to dial in