Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Pedals: 1998 Yield Era Guitar Pedalboard and effects

During the release of their 2002 Album Riot Act, Sony music posted on their website the full details on the gear the boys in Pearl Jam used to create the album.  Also posted was their stage set-up as of 1998 (which coincides with their return to steady touring following the release of Yield).

According to the chart provided, here is what composed Mike McCready’s Pedal Board, in the order following the signal (from guitar to amp):

Dunlop Univibe Chorus Vibrato

Technically, this pedal appears just before the pedalboard, and into which the original guitar signal is entered (through wireless, of course).  This gives the guitar a phasey, or quivering, effects.  This pedal is probably what contritubes to the tone at the beginning of “Given To Fly”.

Dunlop Univibe Speed Control

A companion to the Univibe Chorus Vibratio, this allows Mike to control the speed of the vibrato.  This is the first pedal on the pedalboard itself.

Dunlop 535 Crybaby Wah Wah

Next on the board (from Guitar to Amp), is Dunlop’s 535 Crybaby Wah Wah.  The Crybaby is the most popular of the Wah pedals, and is must for any guitarist.

Boss DM-3 Delay

Following the Crybaby is the Boss DM-3 Delay.  I believe it is used on, among many others, on “Lowlight”. Note that this is the Analog Delay, and not the DD-3 Digital Delay, which offers a different sound. I don’t believe there are new DM-3s for purchase, therefore it might be best to look at other analog delays, such as the Ibanez AD9 Analog Delay.

MXR Phaser 90

As I profiled in the past, Mike uses the MXR Phaser 90.  For the purists out there, I don’t believe it’s the “Van Halen” edition of this pedal, although it would do the job just as well.

Ernie Ball Volume/Pan Pedal

I believe this is used to pan between a “clean” signal without the upcoming Tube Screamer, and with the Tube Screamer.  It is also used on the solo to the recording of “Wishlist” on “Yield”.

Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer

The last pedal on the board before heading to the amps is the Ibanez Tube Screamer.  Mike uses the more affordable a Keely modified TS-9. although no word on any modifications to this pedal.

2 thoughts on “Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready Pedals: 1998 Yield Era Guitar Pedalboard and effects

  1. RC

    I’m afraid you’re wrong – Mike McCready and Stone Gossard’s Ibanez TS9s have been modified by Robert Keeley. Both of them use Keeley-modified Tube Screamer pedals.

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