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Average Price: $173

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$150

$601+

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Boss ME-20, a powerful and compact multi-effects pedal designed to elevate your guitar soundscapes. Perfect for both stage performers and studio enthusiasts, the ME-20 offers an impressive array of effects that cater to a wide range of musical styles. From warm overdrives to rich choruses, this pedal ensures you’re always ready to capture the ideal tone.

The ME-20 is engineered with a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for guitarists of all levels. With an intuitive design, you can quickly navigate through its comprehensive effects library, which includes everything from delay and phaser to flanger and tremolo. Its rugged build makes it a reliable companion for any gig or rehearsal, while the integrated expression pedal allows for seamless control over volume and wah effects, providing dynamic flexibility at your feet.

Whether you're crafting ambient soundscapes or driving hard rock riffs, the Boss ME-20 is your versatile partner in sonic exploration. Its blend of quality effects and ease of use makes it a standout choice for musicians seeking to expand their tonal palette without the hassle of a complex setup.

Key Features:

  • Multi-effects pedal with a wide range of effects including overdrive, distortion, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, rotary, and EQ
  • User-friendly interface for easy navigation and quick setup
  • Built-in expression pedal for volume and wah control
  • Durable construction for reliable performance on stage or in the studio

Product specs

Brand Boss
Model ME-20 Multi-Effect Unit
Finish Gray
Year 2000s
Made In Taiwan
Categories Multi-Effects Pedals and Processors

FAQs

What types of effects are included in the Boss ME-20?

The Boss ME-20 features a range of effects including overdrive, distortion, modulation, delay, and reverb, making it versatile for a variety of musical styles.

Is the Boss ME-20 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Boss ME-20 is designed with a user-friendly interface and durable construction, making it suitable for live performances.

Does the Boss ME-20 require a specific power supply?

The Boss ME-20 requires a PSA-series AC adapter for power, or it can run on six AA batteries for portable use.

Can the Boss ME-20 be used with a bass guitar?

While primarily designed for electric guitar, the Boss ME-20 can be used with a bass guitar, though some effects may not be optimized for low frequencies.

How does the Boss ME-20 compare to the Boss ME-70?

The Boss ME-20 offers essential effects in a compact form, while the ME-70 provides more advanced features and additional effects for more detailed sound shaping.

Reviews

PROS

  • Compact design with 14 effects and 30 memory slots

  • Simplifies pedal board by replacing multiple individual pedals

  • Fully adjustable 4-band EQ for precise tone control

  • Metal wah pedal adds durability

  • No patch switching lag for seamless performance

  • Easy to modify with custom settings

  • Sturdy build, withstands knocks and rough handling

  • Great starter pack for beginners

  • Fits easily into gig bags or backpacks

CONS

  • Wah pedal functionality can be unreliable

  • Limited to using a maximum of three effects simultaneously

  • Lacks variety in delays and reverb options

  • Considered outdated compared to newer models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss ME-20.

Features and functionality

  • The Boss ME-20 is primarily used for its volume pedal, tuner, basic EQ, and occasional modulation effects by experienced users.

    Source
  • The ME-20's compressor and basic effects (like fuzz/distortion) can work for bass, but its compatibility isn't ideal compared to bass-specific multi-effects.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users have successfully replaced the original power adapter with any standard 9v pedal power supply after the original failed.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Some owners continue to use the Boss ME-20 for effects even after upgrading, highlighting its enduring utility for specific sound applications.

    Source
  • Some effects on the ME-20 may work for bass, but users report mixed results, indicating it might be useful for experimentation rather than reliable performance.

    Source
  • For bass, users recommend adding an octave pedal and envelope filter to achieve a funk-inspired sound better than what ME-20 offers.

    Source

User experience

  • The ME-20 is often integrated into signal chains with other pedals like the Dunlop Crybaby and MXR Micro Amp for enhanced sound versatility.

    Source
  • Owners who perform in small venues often prefer multi-effects like the GT-1B for convenience and space savings over individual pedals.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users suggest the Boss GT-1B as a better alternative for bass, highlighting its use by musicians like Robert Bubby Lewis and its affordable price of about $200.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Boss ME-20 Guitar Multiple Effects review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Boss ME-20 is a budget-friendly multi-effects unit that caters well to novice and semi-pro guitarists with its ease of use and competitive price. It boasts straightforward functionality, including the EZ Edit and Solo functions, allowing for fast adjustment of effects without complex menus. However, it lacks advanced modeling capabilities, which might be a downside for those accustomed to more sophisticated processors. While the intrinsic quality of Boss effects remains commendable, optional extras can inflate the cost, and the unit isn't ideal for direct recording. Overall, it offers solid value for money for those seeking basic versatility without breaking the bank.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 14 Ratings

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thewoodenman

A one stop shop for overdrive, modulation and delay, jack of all trades.

The Boss ME-20 sports 14 different effects and a memory bank of 30 slots. On the boss site they present it as "the same as three Boss pedals side by side" and to be honest that's not far wrong. The pedal allows Overdrive/distortion + Modulation + Delay/Reverb in order and as a standalone it's pretty good. A great "one size fits all" starter pack for guitarists, or if you just can't be bothered buying separate Phaser/Tremolo/Flanger/Chorus pedals for convenience. Personally I have my own Overdrive/Distortion pedals and really use the modulation and delay at the end of my pedal chain. The unit is chunky and feels like lego, not plasticy at all should be able to take a knock.

al_rivara

Outdated and sort of limited

A nice stompbox for first timmers giving their first step into the world of guitar effects. Sturdy, with some decent sounds (some good distortions), but really limited (with a maximum of 3 effects in the chain, without the wah ) and only 2 delays and one subtle reverb. Totally outdated compared to almost any other stompbox from the last decade.

Artist usage

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See how Julian Wolf uses Boss ME-20

Julian Wolf

Guitarist

Funk Fragment

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Verified via Photo

German guitarist used a Boss ME-20 Multi-Effects pedal for his performance with his first band "The Strafers" in the summer of 2013.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss ME-20, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Ampeg SS-70C
Ampeg SS-70C Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1

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