“People get too dependent on the sound they’re getting from the pedals”: Duane Betts on why less is more on his pedalboard – but a tuner and a boost? Everyone should have one

Duane Betts wears a western shirt and cowboy hat as he plays his Gibson Les Paul Standard onstage during the during the Allman Betts Family Revival at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

“The general methodology behind my board is that my sound is more about a natural, pure tone coming from the amp. So my approach to pedals is very minimal at the moment. I do think having a tuner is very important, and everyone can use a boost in the heat of battle.

“Over the years, as far as how my board has shifted, I would say my board has gotten more minimal. I’ve used delay pedals in the past and, sometimes, different fuzz pedals. But at the moment, my sound is basically the guitar into the amp.

“That said, pedals are a great way to help a guitar player develop their own style and their own unique sound. However, people get too dependent on the sound they’re getting from the pedals.

“Having said that, my board starts with my tuner, a TC Electronic Polytune 3. After that, I’ve got an Analogman King of Tone [overdrive], and I’m rounding out my minimalist board with the Solar Flare [distortion] by Sarno Music Solutions.”

(Image credit: Courtesy of Duane Betts)

If I had to choose only one pedal for a full show...

“Definitely my TC Electronic tuner. But aside from that, when I’m playing through reissue amps for fly-in shows, it is great to have my King of Tone.”

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