Great tone shouldn’t be a luxury purchase, and Tom Miles is here to prove it. We invited the creator behind Tom’s Pedal Demos to talk about the sounds, strategies, and small choices that help players build inspiring rigs for a fraction of boutique prices. Tom lays out his clear budget tiers, explains why “less talk, more pedal” is his guiding motto, and shows how context—pickups, guitars, and amps—matters more than brand hype when you’re choosing a stompbox.
We get specific about signal chains and tone stacks, from the muscular synergy of a Boss OS‑2 pushing a Marshall JCM800 to the sleeper wins that happen when you put certain guitar pedals on bass. Tom walks us through his rotating test rigs, the reason he’ll re-demo the same pedal through different amps, and the practical Boss board he’d gig with tomorrow. If you’ve wondered whether a multi‑FX unit like the Boss ME series can hang next to a spread of individual stomps, you’ll hear why durability, speed, and simplicity often beat menu-diving and massive price tags.
Beyond gear, Tom opens up about rebuilding his chops, finding the right online teacher to unlearn bad habits, and booking gigs with a deadline to create momentum. We trade “oh no” gig stories, build a punch‑list for a trustworthy gig bag, and talk honestly about band dynamics—why singers can be both your edge and your headache, and how preparation saves shows. Expect shout‑outs to Joyo, Donner, Boss, and Peavey, plus a fast tour of influences that runs from Elvis and Kiss to Metallica and Slayer. If you want practical pedal advice, budget‑friendly tone tips, and a boost of confidence to keep playing, this one’s for you.
If this conversation helped you, follow the show, share it with a bandmate, and leave a quick review—tell us your favorite budget pedal and why it stays on your board.
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https://franklinsgaragetostage.buzzsprout.com
https://franklinsgaragetostage.com
