About Me

About Me

Hi! I’m the Budget Pedal Chap — or 'Budge', if you like things short and sweet. I’m a UK-based guitar player, tone chaser, and long-time advocate for all things affordable in the world of guitar gear — pedals, accessories, and everything in between.

Where It All Started

My journey with guitar started in the mid to late 2000s. I’d only just wrapped my fingers around a few open chords and learned the magic of the moveable power chord when I jumped headfirst into gigging. Within a few years, my high school mates and I had become the house band at a local venue and were regularly gigging two or three nights a week. Safe to say, I was hooked.

But as the gigs piled up, so did my frustrations with tone. Relying on whatever amps the venue had on offer — often wildly inconsistent — meant my sound could shift drastically from one night to the next. I needed a better way to control my rig and find my own sound.

The Pedalboard Epiphany

Like many players of my generation, I found myself drawn into the rabbit hole that is guitar YouTube. Somewhere along the line, I became convinced that a pedalboard was the key to unlocking consistency and creativity. Contrary to what many forum-dwelling tone purists might claim, you can shape incredible tones with pedals — not just by plugging straight into an amp.

But here’s the thing: I was in my late teens and early twenties, and dropping hundreds of pounds on boutique pedals simply wasn’t an option. Thankfully, I already had some experience with affordable gear. Back in my gigging days, I’d experimented with those infamous plastic Behringer pedals. They weren’t perfect, but they opened my eyes to what was possible.

Then one day, I stumbled across a video from Andertons showcasing a new range of mini pedals from a company called Mooer — a brand clearly *ahem* inspired by some well-known classic designs. That was it. I was hooked. The pedal obsession took hold — starting with a few Mooers, and expanding to other budget brands (anyone remember Akai’s efforts?). Soon enough, I had a full board of wallet-friendly pedals... but a new problem emerged:

How the hell do you put them in the right order?

Finding My People (Or Not)

So, like any aspiring gear nerd, I turned to the internet. I was part of a growing Facebook community of guitar players tied to a podcast I won’t name — those in the know will know (disclaimer: the podcast hosts are genuinely lovely and their community is a far nicer place today).

In that group, I posted a picture of my humble pedalboard and asked for help with signal chain order.

The replies?

“Why would you even choose THAT pedal?”

“The correct order is: pedals → directly → bin.”

“Doesn’t matter what order — your tone sucks.”

I couldn’t believe it. Sure, they weren’t top-tier brands, but they sounded good to *me*. Why wasn’t that enough? The more I looked, the more I saw the same tone snobbery and gatekeeping everywhere. Guitar should be fun, experimental, expressive — not exclusive.

So, I took my quest elsewhere — to Instagram — in search of my people.

Enter: Budget Pedal Chap

In 2016, I posted my first pedal pic on Instagram. A humble Marshall compressor. Nothing fancy — just a way to document the pedals I was trying out as I built my board.

But it grew. Quickly.

Photos and captions became limiting. I had more to say. More to show. So I moved to YouTube, and that’s where things really clicked. YouTube gave me the space to demonstrate that these so-called “budget” pedals could genuinely sound amazing. It wasn’t about showing off chops (trust me, I’m firmly in the “can get by” camp when it comes to technique). It was about building a community. About helping other players — especially younger ones with limited cash — find gear that works.

Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of affordable pedals. Some were hidden gems. Others… not so much. But they all told a story. And with a growing community of over 12,000 subscribers on YouTube, it felt like the right time to expand again.

Why a Blog?

Videos are fantastic. They let me share how pedals sound, how they behave with different guitars, and how they might fit into a real rig. But they can also be restrictive. Some demos only last a few minutes — and not every story, memory, or nuance makes the cut.

That’s where the blog comes in.

Here, I can dive deeper. I can share personal experiences, anecdotes, and thoughts that don’t make it into the videos. Think of the YouTube channel as the blockbuster film — a complete, polished experience. The blog is the extended universe — a place for behind-the-scenes extras, deep dives, and pedal lore.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to really get nerdy about pedals — not just hear them, but understand their quirks, their vibe, and where they shine — then you’re in the right place.

I’m not here to sell you dreams of tone utopia. I’m here to show you that great sound doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been playing for decades, I hope Budget Pedal Chap can be a place where curiosity, creativity, and community come together — without the gatekeeping.

So grab a brew, poke around the blog, and don’t be afraid to reach out. Whether you're running a full Mooer board, rocking a single Behringer dirt box, or just curious what a £20 fuzz can do - you’re welcome here.