A Guitarist’s Love Letter to the BOSS ME-80 Multi-Effects Pedal

Armand
3 min readNov 7, 2023

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Hey there, fellow strummers and shredders! I want to share a piece of my musical journey — the BOSS ME-80 pedal. It’s been a central part of my setup for years, and even as its successor, the ME-90, steps onto the stage, my ME-80 is like that trusty old axe you can’t part with. Check out the full love story at Zopimo, but let’s jam through some of the highlights right here.

BOSS ME-80 Multi-Effects Pedal
BOSS ME-80 Multi-Effects Pedal

The Magic of the BOSS ME-80

This pedal is my guitar Swiss Army knife. It’s a piece of gear that’s transformed my sound and simplified my life. With this multi-effects pedal, I ditched a tangled mess of cables and a pile of pedals growing faster than my bank account could handle. The ME-80 delivers a variety of premium BOSS amps and effects in one convenient package, with an intuitive, knob-based interface that makes it feel like those old-school stompboxes we all love.

Twist, Stomp, and Rock

When I first plugged into the ME-80, I was floored by how simple it was to sculpt my sound. No deep menu diving, no fuss — just twist those knobs and step on the footswitches, and you’re crafting tones that range from classic crunch to spacey ambient washes. The real kicker? The built-in expression pedal. It lets me inject soulful wahs, and dynamic volume swells with the tap of my foot.

The ME-80’s Legacy in the Wake of the ME-90

So, the ME-90 is out, and it’s hot. But here’s the deal — the ME-80 is still as cool as ever. It’s like that favorite leather jacket that fits just right; you know, the one that’s broken in perfectly. The ME-80 has character, and for many of us, its straightforward, no-nonsense approach to sound shaping is something we’re not ready to move on from just yet.

BOSS ME-90 Multi-Effects Pedal
BOSS ME-90 Multi-Effects Pedal

Rocking Out with the BOSS ME-80

From bedroom practice to studio sessions to live gigs, the ME-80 never let me down. I’ve pulled off entire sets with just the presets while in a pinch. And when inspiration strikes, I dive in and dial in my own custom sounds, saving them right into the pedal for later.

Why I’m Still All About the ME-80

This pedal invites you to play and explore. It’s a blend of the old and the new, a testament to BOSS’s legacy of quality and innovation. Sure, it might not be the freshest face in the crowd, but it’s got a vibe that’s hard to replace. The ME-80 has earned its permanent spot on my pedalboard, and from the looks of it, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Tuning into the Bigger Picture

Of course, the ME-80 is just one note in the symphony of gear I use. It’s all about the mix, right? Like staying in tune with the Joyo JT-01 clip-on tuner or jamming late into the night without waking the neighbors, thanks to my JBL Tune 570 BT headphones. When laying down tracks or streaming live sessions, tools like TC Helicon’s GoXLR, Rode’s Rodecaster Pro II, and the Zoom F3 field recorder are part of my sonic arsenal.

Final Encore

Whether new to the game or a seasoned pro, the BOSS ME-80 Multi-Effects Pedal is worth your attention. It’s more than just an effects unit; it’s a piece of musical history that continues to write new chapters. Sure, give the ME-90 a look — but don’t overlook the classic charm and rock-solid performance of the ME-80. It’s a pedal that keeps on giving.

Rock on and let the good tones roll!

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Armand

Product reviewer, photography expert, electronics whiz, restoration guru. Sky's the limit with my RC planes and tales.