The 80s was a decade of iconic guitar tones that still inspire guitarists today. From the soaring leads of Van Halen to the crunchy riffs of Guns N' Roses, the sounds of the 80s continue to influence modern music. But how can you recreate these classic tones with modern-day pedals that you can add to your pedalboard? In this post, we'll show you how to do just that.
Overdrive pedals
Overdrive pedals are the foundation of many classic 80s guitar tones. The Boss SD-1 and the Ibanez Tube Screamer are two of the most popular overdrive pedals from that era. But there are plenty of modern-day alternatives that can give you that classic overdrive sound. The Wampler Tumnus and the JHS Morning Glory are two pedals that have been designed to capture the sound of those classic overdrive pedals from the 80s.
Delay pedals
Delay pedals were also a big part of the 80s guitar sound. From the slapback delay of rockabilly to the atmospheric delays of post-punk, delay pedals were used to create a wide range of sounds. The Boss DD-3 and the Electro-Harmonix Memory Man are two classic delay pedals from the 80s. But again, there are plenty of modern-day alternatives that can give you that same sound. The Strymon Timeline and the Chase Bliss Audio Tonal Recall are two delay pedals that have been designed to capture the sound of those classic delay pedals from the 80s.
Modulation pedals
Modulation pedals, such as chorus and phaser pedals, were also a big part of the 80s guitar sound. The Boss CE-1 and the MXR Phase 90 are two classic modulation pedals from that era. Again, there are plenty of modern-day alternatives that can give you that same sound. The Walrus Audio Julia and the EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter are two modulation pedals that have been designed to capture the sound of those classic modulation pedals from the 80s.
Reverb pedals
Reverb pedals were used to create the big, spacious sounds that were a hallmark of many 80s guitar recordings. The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail and the Lexicon PCM70 are two classic reverb pedals from that era. Again, there are plenty of modern-day alternatives that can give you that same sound. The Strymon BigSky and the Eventide Space are two reverb pedals that have been designed to capture the sound of those classic reverb pedals from the 80s.
By combining these modern-day pedals, you can create classic 80s guitar tones that will transport you back to that era. And the best part is that you don't need to spend a fortune on vintage gear to do it. With modern-day pedals that have been designed to capture the sound of those classic pedals from the 80s, you can add those iconic tones to your pedalboard and take your playing to the next level.
In conclusion, recreating classic 80s guitar tones with modern-day pedals is not only possible, but it's also a lot of fun. By combining overdrive, delay, modulation, and reverb pedals, you can create a wide range of sounds that capture the spirit of that era. So go ahead and experiment with these pedals on your pedalboard, and see what kind of classic 80s tones you can create.
