The Boss RC20-XL

This year’s Christmas was full of fun surprises, not least of which was some cash to aid in the purchase of a loop pedal for my guitar. Last night, I purchased said loop pedal at Joe Riff’s, a small establishment in Middletown CT.

A loop pedal is an expensive tool considering its apparent limited complexity. The goal is simple: provide a pedal that will allow recording and overdubbing of tracks in an easy to navigate system. While conceptually elementary, this pedal will prove an invaluable tool for my practicing. Now, I will be able to lay down a chord track and then solo over myself without having to wire my guitar through my computer and switch back and forth between keyboard and instrument.

Recently, Tony Guitar has been giving me songs with reduced chord structures. For example, the song might call out a Db, but Tony wants me to embellish the chord with additional notes so that it has a more complex elaborate sound. That Db might sound more interesting if it were played as a Db6 or a Db6add9. When I customize a song with these embellished chords, without someone else to play the parts I have no means of hearing how well it all comes together.

PROBLEM NO MORE.

My new loop pedal allows me to record my exciting embellished chords and play over them! How perfectly convenient!

Look out 2010, I’m going to rock you like a hurricane.

6 thoughts on “The Boss RC20-XL

  • 1/12/2010 at 6:11 pm
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    ROck ON! In about a year or 3, maybe I’ll be ready for the same.

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  • 1/12/2010 at 6:21 pm
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    Loop pedals! Andrew Bird uses one with a violin and guitar to pretty much sound like a one-man symphony!

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  • 1/12/2010 at 11:45 pm
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    You should check out older Howie Day, specifically the Madrigals EP. He does some sweet things with multiple loop pedals.

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  • 1/13/2010 at 9:29 am
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    Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely check it out.

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  • 1/13/2010 at 9:31 am
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    While my original intention was to use it primarily as a practice tool, even after playing with it for just a few short hours I recognize the pedal’s incredible potential as a song writing and performing tool.

    I’ll see if I can find that Andrew Bird tune.

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  • 1/13/2010 at 9:32 am
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    If you have some extra funds, it might be worth it to buy one sooner than that. If you have sheet music or want to practice soloing, it’s a great tool to have handy!!

    Oh man. I love guitar.

    Reply

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