guitar effects pedal to amp?

Question

just bought my first electric guitar and came with a 15w cheap amp. amp has only blues type distortion and i want hard rock or metal type distortion. there are two holes on amp; input and phone.

will a distortion pedal give what i want? how does it work? will it be able to plug into the "phone" hole in the amp? should i just save for another amp?

am on a low budget and dont want anything fancy. just the metal sound.

Answer 1

Try a Boss MetalZone effects pedal. Link below to one that's on Ebay. (If you buy used you will save $.)

You will run the cord from your guitar into the input of the metal pedal. Then you will (have to buy another cord--probably just a short one if you want to save $) run the second cord from the output on the metal pedal into the input on your amp.

Also, always unplug the cords and turn the pedal off when not in use--otherwise you'll wear out its battery fast.

This pedal will give you the metal sound. Then you can listen to it (without being super-loud) by plugging headphones into the headphone jack on your amp.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Ok, to work with what you've apparently got, first 'phone' hole is for headphones and carry a signal OUT. The 'input' is for a signal IN, for example a guitar. You shouldn't plug any device meant for putting a signal out into the headphone jack. I know you said your amp was cheap, but it'll most likely also become useless. To get a hard rock/ metal type distortion out of that amp, yes you're gonna need some kind of effects processor. For example a distortion pedal.
When you ask how does it work, I hope you don't mean the technical stuff that happens to a guitar signal, but you mean how does one use the pedal? The pedal should have a straight through mode and a distorted mode. When you step on the pedal, it will activate the distortion (assuming it was off). You should be able to adjust some of the sounds coming out of the pedal too. For example, gain, tone, volume, etc. There are so many pedals out there, but my advice is to first get a good amp. A good amp will make some bad playing/cheap guitars sounds a lot better than a cheap amp with really expensive guitar/effects.
On a low budget, get a budget pedal, some cords, a battery/adapter and rock on.

Answer 3

Oh, this takes me back. Yes you can get the heavy "metal" sound by just using a pedal; of course a better amp would be ideal, but on a budget a good pedal will work. DO NOT go cheap on the pedal. They are all within $20.00 of each other, per type, give or take. The best product, by far is anything made by BOSS. These are highly rated in any guitar magazine, & I still have one I bought about 15 years ago. I got what is named "Overdrive Distortion", & I still use it today, sometimes.
Remember, you may buy a new amp, but you will keep pedals forever, so don't go cheap, they are not that expensive, anywhere from $30.00 to $100.00.
I paid about $25.00 for mine, but that was 15 years ago.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Here is what you do: Plug your guitar into the input of the effects pedal. The output from this is then connected to the input of your amp. Make sure the amp is turned on as well as the effects pedal.

Answer 5

plug the guitar cord into the INPUT jack of rhe pedal, then plug the amp cord into the OUTPUT jack of the pedal and connect the other end to the INPUT jack of the amp. make sure the pedal has a battery, and when you're through playing, MAKE SURE to unplug the cords from the pedal or it will drain the battery.

i suggest the Boss metal zone pedal. it usually runs at about 100 dollars or so.

oh yeah...the 'phone' jack is for using headphones while you play

Answer 6

BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone pedal is by FAR THE BEST! Settle for NOTHING else. I had this pedal and loved it! They aren't that expensive either! 100 bucks at the most. You'll be happy you picked up this pedal. All BOSS pedals are very good quality both construction and sound. Hope this helps. Later!

Answer 7

Check out the Guitar Center. They might have some metal pedals. I play more jazz and never use pedals.. I basically use a little chorus. Good luck.

Answer 8

You plug your guitar into the pedal and then the pedal to the INPUT of your amp.

Answer 9

if you want a metal sound get a boss distortion pedal and u need to get a nother cord to plug in... i sugest going to Sam Ash or Guitar Center

Answer 10

I agree that you should get a Boss MT2 Metal Zone, but I should also point out that those cheap amps don't really produce any quality sound. I recommend that you buy a better amp (with 30w or more) as soon as you can afford it.