A lot of guitar players who are into guitar effects often ask the same question: are Strymon pedals worth it? If you’re a guitarist, you most likely heard about this brand before. On one hand, some of their models are absolutely iconic. On the other hand, there are other manufacturers who offer great sounding guitar pedals at much more affordable prices. Is it a good idea to buy a Strymon pedal?
Absolutely. Strymon manufactures some of the best guitar pedals in the world. They offer a high quality sound and an extremely wide range of tonal possibilities. Whether you’re looking for a delay, reverb or something else, Strymon is definitely one of the best choices out there.
Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced player, getting a pedal created by this American manufacturer of audio equipment is totally worth it. Let’s find out why Strymon pedals are so good and why the company became so successful. In addition, there will be a few sound samples too, so make sure to grab your best headphones!
Where are Strymon pedals made?
According to their official website, all of their products are manufactured in the United States – more specifically in Los Angeles area. The company is owned by Damage Control Engineering. What’s interesting, Strymon is a relatively young company, because they are only thirteen years old.
Undoubtedly, the fact that these pedals are being crafted in the US is a significant factor that affects the final price of their product. Most of the other cheaper pedals available online are usually made in Asia. That’s why their quality usually sucks! In this case, the US-based manufacturing is a great indicator of a high quality.
Which Strymon pedal is the best?
The most popular Strymon models include Big Sky, Zuma, Night Sky, Zelzah, TimeLine, Mobius and many more. Since the company manufactures all different kinds of pedals, it’s difficult to pick just one model. Nevertheless, whether you’re looking for a new reverb, delay or flanger pedal, the effects by Strymon are always among the best models on the market. Let’s have a closer look at some of their most popular pedals and let’s prove that Strymon pedals are worth it. If you’re curious, I included sound samples below too!
Reverb – Strymon Big Sky
The Big Sky is one of the most popular and reputable reverb pedals in the world. This is a piece of gear made for professional guitarists. It will be perfect for anyone who’s looking for a wide range of tonal possibilities. Although it’s expensive, it’s definitely worth it. Especially if you’re into playing gigs or recording in studio! What’s more, it also sounds amazing when you’re using synths instead of guitars. Feel free to check out the sound demo below. Sounds amazing, right?
Delay – Strymon TimeLine
Similarly as Big Sky, the TimeLine is one of the most reputable delay pedals in the world. If you’re into ambient music, it will be perfect for you. It offers a really mind-blowing playing experience. If you decide to get it, make sure to tell your boss that you won’t be coming to work for a few days. Once you plug it in, you won’t be able to stop playing! Absolutely amazing piece of gear. Although all Strymon pedals are worth it, this one makes a stunning first impression. There is no other pedal like that one. See how it sounds below.
Phaser – Strymon Zelzah
Something for fans of psychedelic rock. Although there are quite a lot really interesting phaser pedals out there, the Zelzah features a really unique sound and a wide range of tonal possibilities. If you’re into this kind of vintage vibe, you’re going to love it! What’s important, it’s a bit more affordable than Big Sky or TimeLine. Feel free to check out the sound demo below.
Overdrive – Strymon Sunset
An absolute classic. This pedal never fails. It’s really easy to fall in love with it! The Strymon Sunset features a classic and vintage overdriven tone. On top of that, similarly to Zelzah, it features six knobs that offer a really interesting and wide range of sounds. Absolutely amazing pedal for all level guitarists. If you’re into classic rock music, it will be perfect for you. Here’s a sound demo in case you’re interested. And in fact, it’s actually one of the cheapest pedals offered by Strymon! I think that the video below really proves that Strymon pedals are totally worth it.
Chorus – Strymon Ola
Similarly as other pedals on my list, Strymon Ola features a high-quality sound and a wide range of tones. What’s more, it’s not as expensive as Big Sky or TimeLine! Although there are a lot of really interesting chorus pedals out there, the Ola can be classified as one of the best among them. I highly recommend checking it out. You can achieve a lot of interesting sounds on that thing! Here’s a quick sound demo.
Why are Strymon pedals expensive?
The answer is really simple – they’re just amazing! They sound great, they look great and on top of that, they are very durable. Once you get your own Strymon pedal, you’ll notice that it’s cuts through the mix way better than other pedals, it weighs less, allows for more presets and features a lot of options. In my opinion, the quality of this gear is the most important factor that made Strymon that popular. The company is not a product of hype – they just create absolutely amazing guitar pedals.
How much power do Strymon pedals need?
The supply requirements are pretty standard. According to the official data from their official website, the recommended power supply should provide 9VDC (center negative) at a minimum of 250mA. What’s important, using any voltage above 9V can damage your pedal and void your warranty, so make sure to use the right power supply.
Summary
As you can see, getting a Strymon pedal is totally worth it. Although they are quite expensive, they offer the best sound quality in the world. If you’re looking for something special, adding a Strymon to your pedalboard will definitely be a good idea! What do you think about these pedals? Would you buy it for yourself? Let me know in the comment section below!
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