How to Create Reverb Effects on Electric Guitar

The "reverb" effect is popular for electric guitar players. Reverb imitates the sound of a guitar playing in a large room. It gives the amplifier an echoing effect. Though reverb is sometimes put on electric guitar through a foot pedal, it often comes standard on an amplifier as a dial control.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Attach your effects pedal if you don't have a dial control for reverb. You'll have to attach your pedal to the amp and to the guitar using 2 different cords, so that the effects pedal acts as an "in-between" connector. That way, the reverb sound is added to the guitar sound before it is run through the amp.

2. Start out at 0 reverb, at a normal to low volume. Turn reverb to 1 or 2. Play and listen for echoes.

3. Turn up reverb until you can hear it. Decide how much reverb you want on your guitar. Too much can make your playing sound "soupy" and notes can get lost, just as if you were playing in a large room or cavern.

4. Bring reverb effects to the sound check. When you know how much reverb you want, you'll need to fine tune your volume setting. Guitar effects are no good if the crowd can't hear them. Play with other instruments, turning up the volume until you can clearly hear your own guitar.

5. Work with the existing space. Learn the acoustics of where you will be playing and adjust your reverb accordingly. You may want to turn reverb off if it doesn't sound good when you arrive at your gig.