The thrash metal genre is characterized by its fast tempos, aggressive guitar riffs, and intense solos. To achieve the iconic thrash metal sound, guitarists rely heavily on various guitar pedals. These pedals shape the tone, add necessary effects, and enhance the overall performance. Understanding the essential pedals for thrash metal can significantly improve your sound and performance.
TL;DR The Best Pedals for Thrash Metal Guitarists
The table below lists the guitar pedals worth adding to your pedal board if you play Thrash Metal.
| Pedal | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Boss DS-1 Distortion | Distortion | Sharp, edgy distortion, versatile for rhythm and lead playing. |
| Ibanez Tube Screamer | Overdrive | Tightens low end, adds midrange boost, great for lead tones. |
| ProCo Rat | Distortion | Gritty, aggressive distortion, known for sustain and clarity. |
| MXR M116 Fullbore Metal | Distortion | Extreme gain, comprehensive EQ, designed for heavy metal tones. |
| Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff | Distortion | High-gain distortion with built-in EQ and top boost, ideal for thrash solos. |
| MXR M108S Ten Band EQ | EQ | Fine-tune tone with ten frequency bands, control over sound. |
| Boss GE-7 Equalizer | EQ | Seven bands of EQ and level control for precise tonal adjustments. |
| TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster | Booster | Up to 20 dB of clean boost, ideal for solos and pushing amp overdrive. |
| Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Linear Power Booster | Booster | Simple, effective boost to drive amp harder and increase volume. |
| MXR Phase 90 | Phaser | Warm, swirling phase effect, enhances depth and dimension. |
| Boss CH-1 Super Chorus | Chorus | Rich, sparkling chorus effect for texture and fullness. |
| Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress | Flanger/Chorus | Flanger/chorus pedal with lush, sweeping effects. |
| TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato | Vibrato | Range of vibrato effects from subtle to dramatic. |
| Boss DD-7 Digital Delay | Delay | Versatile delay pedal with various types and settings for spacious, echoing sounds. |
| Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb | Reverb | Range of reverb effects from subtle to vast, enhancing clean and distorted tones. |
| TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb | Reverb | Multiple reverb types for rich, immersive effects. |
| MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay | Delay | Warm, analog delay sounds, from short slapback echoes to long, ambient delays. |
| Line 6 Helix | Multi-Effects Processor | Comprehensive multi-effects processor with vast array of effects and amp models. |
| Boss GT-100 | Multi-Effects Processor | Wide range of effects and amp simulations, intuitive interface. |
| Zoom G3Xn | Multi-Effects Processor | Affordable, compact multi-effects pedal with high-quality effects. |
| Pedaltrain Classic 2 | Pedalboard | Durable pedalboard with ample space for organizing pedals. |
| Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus | Power Supply | High-quality power supply with isolated outputs for noise-free operation. |
| Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 | Power Supply | Reliable power supply with multiple isolated outputs for consistent performance. |
What Makes a Pedal Suitable for Thrash Metal?
Thrash metal demands a specific tonal quality that is both aggressive and clear. The ideal guitar pedals for this genre should provide high gain, tight response, and the ability to cut through the mix. Overdrive and distortion pedals are crucial for creating the heavy, crunchy tones associated with thrash metal. Additionally, EQ, modulation, and reverb/delay pedals play important roles in refining and enhancing the sound.
Characteristics of Thrash Metal Sound
Thrash metal guitar tones are often described as sharp, aggressive, and punchy. Key characteristics include:
- High Gain: Essential for achieving the powerful, distorted sound.
- Tight Low End: Ensures clarity in fast, palm-muted riffs.
- Midrange Focus: Helps the guitar cut through the mix.
- Sustained Leads: Important for solos and melodic parts.
Overdrive and Distortion Pedals
Boss DS-1 Distortion
The Boss DS-1 Distortion is a legendary pedal known for its sharp, edgy distortion. It offers a wide range of tones from subtle overdrive to full-on distortion, making it versatile for various thrash metal styles. The DS-1 is particularly effective for rhythm playing, providing a tight, focused sound.
Ibanez Tube Screamer
The Ibanez Tube Screamer is another iconic pedal that thrash metal guitarists often use. While traditionally known for its bluesy overdrive, the Tube Screamer excels at pushing the front end of an amp, tightening the low end, and adding a midrange boost. This makes it perfect for lead tones and adding definition to rhythm parts.
ProCo Rat
The ProCo Rat pedal delivers a gritty, aggressive distortion that is ideal for thrash metal. Its unique clipping circuit provides a distinctive sound that can be tailored from mild overdrive to intense distortion. The Rat is known for its sustain and clarity, making it a favorite among thrash metal guitarists.
MXR M116 Fullbore Metal
The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal pedal is designed specifically for heavy metal genres. It offers extreme gain and a comprehensive EQ section, allowing you to sculpt your tone precisely. The Fullbore Metal is perfect for achieving the crushing, modern metal tones required for thrash.
Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff
The Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff is a high-gain distortion pedal with a built-in EQ and top boost. It provides a massive, tight distortion that is ideal for thrash metal. The Metal Muff’s top boost feature allows you to add extra bite to your solos, ensuring they stand out in the mix.
EQ and Boost Pedals
MXR M108S Ten Band EQ
The MXR M108S Ten Band EQ is an essential tool for thrash metal guitarists. It allows you to fine-tune your tone by adjusting ten frequency bands, providing complete control over your sound. Whether you need to scoop the mids for a classic thrash tone or boost certain frequencies for solos, this pedal is invaluable.
Boss GE-7 Equalizer
The Boss GE-7 Equalizer is another excellent choice for shaping your thrash metal tone. With seven bands of EQ and a level control, it offers precise tonal adjustment. The GE-7 is perfect for making subtle tweaks or dramatic changes to your sound.
TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster
The TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster is a compact pedal that delivers up to 20 dB of clean boost. It is ideal for pushing your amp into overdrive or adding extra volume for solos. The Spark Mini Booster is transparent, preserving the natural tone of your guitar and amp.
Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Linear Power Booster
The Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 Linear Power Booster is a classic boost pedal that can drive your amp harder and increase your overall volume. It’s simple, effective, and perfect for giving your thrash metal riffs and solos extra punch.
Modulation Pedals
MXR Phase 90
The MXR Phase 90 is a staple modulation pedal used by many famous guitarists. Its warm, swirling phase effect adds depth and dimension to your sound. In thrash metal, the Phase 90 can be used subtly to enhance clean passages or more prominently for solos and rhythm parts.
Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
The Boss CH-1 Super Chorus provides a rich, sparkling chorus effect that can add texture and fullness to your guitar tone. It’s particularly useful for clean sections and solos, giving them a wider, more immersive sound.
Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress
The Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress is a flanger/chorus pedal known for its lush, sweeping effects. It can create everything from subtle modulations to dramatic, jet-like flanging sounds. This pedal is perfect for adding a unique touch to your thrash metal sound.
TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato
The TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato offers a range of vibrato effects from classic to modern. It adds a warbling, pitch-shifting effect that can make your solos stand out. The Shaker Vibrato is versatile and can be used to add subtle movement or dramatic vibrato to your playing.
Reverb and Delay Pedals
Boss DD-7 Digital Delay
The Boss DD-7 Digital Delay is a versatile delay pedal that offers a variety of delay types and settings. Its digital precision ensures clarity, making it perfect for creating spacious, echoing sounds in your thrash metal solos and riffs.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb
The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Reverb provides a range of reverb effects, from subtle room sounds to vast, cathedral-like reverbs. It can add a sense of space and depth to your thrash metal sound, enhancing both clean and distorted tones.
TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb
The TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb is a highly regarded reverb pedal with multiple reverb types. It offers rich, immersive reverb effects that can enhance your overall sound. Whether you need a subtle ambiance or a dramatic effect, the Hall of Fame Reverb delivers.
MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
The MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay is known for its warm, analog delay sounds. Its simple controls allow you to create everything from short slapback echoes to long, ambient delays. The Carbon Copy is ideal for adding depth and dimension to your thrash metal solos.
Multi-Effects Pedals
Line 6 Helix
The Line 6 Helix is a powerful multi-effects processor that offers a vast array of effects, amp models, and routing options. It’s a comprehensive tool for thrash metal guitarists, providing everything you need in one unit. The Helix’s high-quality effects and versatility make it a top choice for professional musicians.
Boss GT-100
The Boss GT-100 is another excellent multi-effects pedal that provides a wide range of effects and amp simulations. Its intuitive interface and robust construction make it a reliable choice for thrash metal guitarists looking for a versatile, all-in-one solution.
Zoom G3Xn
The Zoom G3Xn offers a variety of effects and amp models in a compact, affordable package. It’s a great option for guitarists on a budget who still want access to high-quality effects. The G3Xn’s user-friendly interface and versatility make it suitable for both live performance and studio recording.
Pedalboards and Power Supplies
Pedaltrain Classic 2
The Pedaltrain Classic 2 is a popular pedalboard that provides ample space for arranging your pedals. Its durable construction and versatile design make it an excellent choice for thrash metal guitarists who need a reliable and organized setup.
Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus
The Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus is a high-quality power supply that can power multiple pedals simultaneously. Its isolated outputs ensure noise-free operation, making it essential for maintaining the integrity of your thrash metal sound.
Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12
The Truetone 1 Spot Pro CS12 is another reliable power supply that offers multiple isolated outputs. It’s capable of powering a wide range of pedals, ensuring consistent performance and reducing noise. The CS12 is a solid choice for any thrash metal guitarist’s rig.
FAQs
What are the essential pedals for thrash metal?
Essential pedals for thrash metal include overdrive/distortion pedals, EQ/boost pedals, modulation pedals, and reverb/delay pedals. These pedals help achieve the aggressive, tight, and powerful sound characteristic of the genre.
Why is the Boss DS-1 Distortion popular for thrash metal?
The Boss DS-1 Distortion is popular for thrash metal due to its sharp, edgy distortion and versatility. It provides a wide range of tones suitable for both rhythm and lead playing.
How does an EQ pedal benefit thrash metal guitarists?
An EQ pedal allows thrash metal guitarists to fine-tune their tone, adjusting specific frequency bands to achieve the desired sound. It can enhance clarity, cut through the mix, and shape the overall tone.
What makes the MXR Phase 90 suitable for thrash metal?
The MXR Phase 90 adds a warm, swirling phase effect that enhances depth and dimension. It can be used subtly to enhance clean passages or more prominently for solos and rhythm parts in thrash metal.
Are multi-effects pedals a good option for thrash metal?
Yes, multi-effects pedals like the Line 6 Helix and Boss GT-100 offer a wide range of effects and amp simulations in one unit. They are versatile and convenient for thrash metal guitarists, providing high-quality effects and extensive customization.
What is the advantage of using a power supply like the Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus?
The Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus provides isolated outputs for noise-free operation, ensuring the integrity of your thrash metal sound. It can power multiple pedals simultaneously, offering consistent performance and reducing noise.
Conclusion
Choosing the best guitar pedals for thrash metal involves understanding the specific needs of the genre and selecting pedals that enhance your sound. From overdrive and distortion to EQ and modulation, the right pedals can make a significant difference in achieving the aggressive, powerful tone that defines thrash metal. Whether you’re building a pedalboard from scratch or looking to upgrade your existing setup, the pedals discussed in this article are excellent choices for any thrash metal guitarist.
