5 Awesome Pedals for a Squier Stratocaster (great for beginners)

The Squier Stratocaster is a solid guitar for beginners, and if you're ready to get into effects pedals for the first time, I'll cover five that I recommend as a sort of starter pack to go with this guitar. These pedals are beginner-friendly, are easy to use, affordable, and versatile. Some of them are even used by the pros. Watch the video above or browse below. If you have questions, leave them in the comments section.

1. Boss DS-1 Distortion

• Why It’s Great:
  This is a good beginner distortion pedal, but there are plenty of well-known artists that use it as well. It's one of the cheapest distortion pedals on the market that still meets a high quality standard. Boss never misses.
• Pro Tip:
  Set the Tone knob around noon for balanced EQ and the Distortion knob around 2 o’clock for a strong, crunchy rhythm tone.

2. TC Electronic PolyTune 3

• Why It’s Great:
  Every guitar player should have a pedal tuner, especially for electric guitar. The TC Electronic PolyTune is another affordable pedal that you'll never need to upgrade. If you want to go more expensive, the Boss TU series is another good option.
• Pro Tip:
  A tuner pedal should go first in your signal chain.

3. Caline Simon Super Delay

• Why It’s Great:
  I like Caline pedals for the price, and the Simon Super Delay is a good starting spot for time-based effects. It has 3 modes and a mix knob (controls wet/dry mix). You'll eventually graduate from this one, but it'll serve you well in the meantime. When you do level up, grab a delay pedal with a tap tempo.
• Pro Tip:
  Start with a short delay time and low feedback for two or three repeats that add depth without overwhelming your tone.

4. Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini

• Why It’s Great:
  The full version of the Tube Screamer is one of the most popular pedals of all time, but the Mini saves you some money and gets you a similar sound. If you can upgrade, go with the TS9 or TS808. If not, the Mini is a great compromise.
• Pro Tip:
  Use it as a boost by setting the Overdrive low and the Level high to drive your amp naturally.

5. MXR Phase 90

• Why It’s Great:
  The Phase 90 is a bit more expensive than the others on this list, but it's another beginner-friendly pedal that will stay on your board forever. Pros, including Slash, Tom Morello, and others, have all used it for decades.
• Pro Tip:
  Dial in a low setting to add a subtle modulation layer to your rhythm playing or crank it up for dramatic, psychedelic effects.

Bonus Recommendations

Donner Yellow Fall Delay

A budget-friendly alternative to the Caline Simon Super Delay (which is already pretty cheap).

Joyo JF-14 American Sound

A versatile amp simulator that can mimic the sounds of classic Fender amps. Perfect for beginners without a high-end amp.

How to Build Your Beginner Pedalboard

1. Start Simple: Focus on core pedals like a tuner, overdrive, and delay.
2. Experiment: Try delay and modulation pedals to explore different styles and textures.
3. Order Matters: Place your pedals in the following order for a clean signal chain: tuner → overdrive/distortion → modulation → delay.
4. Power Supply: Invest in a reliable power supply to avoid battery issues.

Questions or thoughts?

Do you have questions or thoughts about these pedals? Do you have a Squier Stratocaster and want to mention some of the pedals you use? If so, drop them in the comments section below. We love having community input in these posts so everyone can benefit from one another's experience.

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