What are some of the best Pedals for a Les Paul?
Dunlop wah, analog chorus, tube overdrive, and more.
It's important to note that the types of pedals you use should also correlate with the style of music you play. However, different types of guitars can certainly lend themselves to different sounds, and for the Les Paul (Gibson or Epiphone) we'd recommend starting with a wah, analog chorus, overdrive, reverb, and delay. We'll cover specifics below.
Image via Guitar Auctions at GH
Always keep in mind that guitar pedals and effects are very flexible and can work with just about any electric guitar you throw at them. The genres you focus on and your playing style should have a lot to say about your pedal choice as well. But given the dual humbucker configuration, body design, and intended style of the Les Paul, we can provide a few recommendations to point you in the right direction. First, focus on the following effects categories:
- Overdrive (gain or distortion)
- Modulation (chorus)
- Wah (filter effects)
- Ambience (delay and/or reverb pedals)
From there, we can get a little more specific and highlight particular pedals that fit in nicely with a Les Paul and its intended style. Here are a few we'd recommend:
Pedal | Audio | Shop |
|---|---|---|
 | Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer | |
 | MXR M234 Analog Chorus | |
 | Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah Pedal | |
 | Boss RV-6 Reverb Pedal | |
 | Line 6 DL4 MKII | |
 | Gibson Les Paul Studio |
The Les Paul is designed for heavier styles with dual humbuckers, but also known for lead guitar and classic rock solos. Overdrive, wah, and modulation pedals can all be a good fit. Flickr Commons image via C. Strife
More to Consider about your Effects
To summarize, here's a quick checklist of what to think about, with a Les Paul or otherwise. These apply to getting pedals for any electric guitar. Consider the following:
- Musical styles and genres
- Your playing style (lead, rhythm, hybrid, etc.)
- Your guitar, particularly the pickup configuration (humbuckers, single coils, active pickups, etc.)
We could further break down our suggestions based on these variables, but I'll stick with the above recommendations broadly just to keep things simple. If you have additional questions, drop them in the comments section below and I'll help out.
Selection and Recommendation Methodology
I always recommend gear that I've used and can personally vouch for. If I haven't used it in my hands, I make sure it can be corroborated with people who have. This means you're always getting guitar gear recommendations from actual musicians. If you have questions about our process, please feel free to ask.
The Epiphone Les Paul Jerry Cantrell signature model, that I got to try out with a few of my own pedals.
Price Guide for Pedals and the Les Paul Listed in the Above Table
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
More Les Paul Material
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Reviews
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