Pedalboards vs multi-effects units, which is best?

[singlecoil]

Well, maybe not best, but which is preferred and why?

I can strum and have an understanding of guitars and the sounds they produce, but I am by no means a guitar player, and I don't have a position on this subject. If I was able to play in a band then I think I would probably want to get some kind of programmable multi-effects unit, but I notice from a lot of posts here how popular individual pedal arrangements (pedalboards for short) are.

I invite comments on the above subject, and am sure I will learn something from the answers.

[singlecoil]

Some good points there, thanks, all valuable stuff.

[singlecoil]

EskimoArapaho said:

There is no 'best'. Or rather, the best one is the one that inspires you to express yourself better. Could be either.

Good point, thanks.

Actually though it's not really for me, not in that sense anyway. I'm setting up a guitar demonstration room and think it would be a good idea if I had some effects people could use so that instead of them thinking 'I wonder how this would sound with a bit of...?', I had something there that would answer the question. With this in mind I bought a second hand Zoom multi-effects unit which has some good reviews, but the thing is so complicated to operate that it's unsuitable for anybody who doesn't want to put the hours in to learn how to work it.

Which got me thinking about getting some pedals instead, and where better to ask than here? I've got a basic understanding of how these things work and what they sound like, but didn't know if I would be heading in the right direction.

So, assuming I get some pedals, I'm thinking that maybe I should get a distortion pedal, an overdrive, a digital delay and a chorus? At least they would be easy for anyone to adjust.

[singlecoil]

6th Gear said:

What's your budget singlecoil?

Whatever it takes, though it's only for a demo setup so doesn't need to be as elaborate as what I might choose for myself (I do like to treat myself* ). I particularly like buying second hand stuff, there's a sense of adventure in it and I've not actually had a bad deal or been ripped off so far.

* because I'm worth it, and you should see the way my face lights up when I unwrap a new and expensive toy, it's worth the expense just for that

[singlecoil]

EskimoArapaho said:

There are KISS multi-FX, such as http://carlmartin.com/quattro/ - quality, one-knob-per-parameter, and all of the basics covered in one pedal.

I must say I am rather taken with that, reassuringly expensive but within reach, I could very well see myself ending up with one of those.

[singlecoil]

davidd said:

I think for a demo room I'd be tempted to have a reasonable amp which would give o/d and reverb and then tell people to bring their own pedals if they really wanted them.

I've only ever demo'd guitars with a very basic setup, never felt the need to do more.

Saying that, I have a boss ME30 kicking about if you want to borrow it.

D

It's quite possible that I am getting a little bit carried away with this, plus I do quite like acquiring stuff

I do actually have a 40 watt all valve combo amp which has reverb and will give overdrive etc, I just thought it would be nice to have a few extra sounds. I like a little bit of chorus myself, and maybe a little bit of delay, and I've just noticed that I always have the compressor on the unit I use at home for my own strumming stuff. I don't suppose any of this really matters in a demo setting, though, but I might still do it anyway.

Thanks for the offer of the loan of the ME30, BTW.