So, here I am again in the Electric section around Christmas trying to figure out what to get for my son. You know, my acoustic doesn't have any options for different sounds/tones except for a slight change in tonality with a string change. I like it that way. I really do prefer the acoustic sound to any electric. Every time I pick up one of their guitars, I fiddle with the controls on the amp and the switch on the guitar until it sounds... almost like an acoustic. LOL!
Anywhooooo... My son is 15 now and doesn't seem to want much of anything (except money, never having to do chores, and to drive my car in about 5 months when he hits 16), but he did mention maybe a multi-effects pedal, or something of the sort for Christmas. Sooooo, I really don't know the first thing about them. What should I get AND what do I need? Can I really just pick up a pedal, or is there some do-hicky I need that goes with it to make it work properly? Will I need extra cable? More about my son if it helps... My son doesn't have much rhythm built into him, he likes to figure out lead guitar parts, he can read chords and tab, he seems to like some of the classic rock (yes, it's making a come back in the youth), and he also likes pop music (I consider it to sound a bit like rap, but apparently it's really Pop and I'm old and don't know anything. I really don't see him playing any of it on an electric guitar... he can make some neat beat box noises though). He just has a SMALL practice amp, you know, what would come in a beginner package deal. I know he probably could use a slightly stronger amp, but as a general rule... he just uses headphones in the amp so it seems kind of silly to me to spend money on a better one. If he needs a better one though because he needs extra imputs or something, that would be important to know.
Thanks in advance for any help that anyone can give. I know my Chordie friends will be able to help me out as always! I realize there are TONS of options out there for pedals, I just don't have a clue where to start or what goes with them, we want to make sure he can play something on X-mas morning and rock the house!
Amy
.edited to remove information that might ruin a surprise to one of the few people on my list.