RobbieZ wrote: It seems that winter is leaving, and suits me fine ?.

+1 Million. Dollars. :roflmao:

It would really depend on what genre/style you're aiming at?

If I was doing a lot of covers, I'd get a decent multi-fx so I can easily get all the specific sounds with a patch change.

In general,

I'd have a clean boost (ala MXR Micro Amp). Long story why, but I'm finding a preamp before the amp helps with dynamics and smoothing out the sound. (particularly with lower output passive pickups). A TS style pedal with the gain on 0 is also similar.

A delay. Because. I reallly like the look of the latest TC flashbacks with the mash button.

A reverb if you amp doesn't have one.

And then the distortion/overdrive if you need a specific style of drive that your amp doesn't do or that you can't dial in you amp with with the clean boost or a TS style pedal.

Then maybe : some kinda modulation (chorus, flanger, phaser), a EHX pitchfork for octave down/up or a POG for some weird synth-y vibes, a wah (if I ever find one I like) and one of those knarly dwarfcraft pedals (Red Particle) for when I wanna do some ambient layering.

For starters....Distortion, Overdrive, Delay, Chorus and Reverb (if you don't have on your amp) if you have Reverb, get a Tremolo.

RobbieZ wrote: Hi guys.
It seems that winter is leaving, and suits me fine ?.

Which is the top 5 effects, and why? I want to start buying pedals, but I do not want to buy just for the hell of it. Need some guidance.

Thanks

Assuming you have reverb on your amp, I'd suggest the following, in this order (if you don't plan on buying all at once):

1. Tuner. You can't go without it.
2. Delay. This is a personal preference I guess, but it does add nice spacial characteristics to your sound. I use a Boss DD7, haven't tried any other pedal, works for me.
3. Power supply such as the TRex Fuel Tank or Voodoo labs pedal power. Technically not a pedal, but crucial in my opinion. Flat batteries and multiple seperate power supplies aren't cool.
4. Overdrive. My personal preference is the TS808. Blues driver also seams like a bang for buck overdrive pedal. Works great with a valve amp.
5. Graphic Equalizer. Very underrated addition to the pedal board, but very handy. I use mine to make fine adjustments to add some sparkle to my tone. One can also use it to boost your signal or cut frequencies to create interesting tones.

I think this creates a nice foundation to build on, other pedals like chorus, wah, fuzz, phaser/flanger etc. are less crucial and are more dependant on your personal preference.

Then also plan to spend a bit on cables, don't skimp here, a weak link in the chain will destroy your tone!

1 Start with a Good power supply, really irritating when there is hum and noise while playing. Need clean power to pedals. I am planning to build one, soon. Soon.
2 I use a Chorus all the time, well almost all the time, my (ancient) Ibanez Stereo Chorus adds some "richness" and depth and space to the sound, apart from the chorus effect. The chorus effect does not gell with long sustained note playing.
3 Gain/Boost/Fuzz/Overdrive/Distortion. A good bet seems to be the Ibanez TS8 or such, although some say it is a bit weak. I have a Boss DS1, which only works with some guitars. Not a popular choice, but cheap, and can give a gain to your signal, as well as adjust tone, and if needed, go into really horrible, uncontrolled, unmusical distortion.
4 Echo (is this the same as delay?) - not used very much, but a nice effect to have. My one amp has it.
5 Reverb if amp does not have it, I really do not use my reverb on the amp at all, and do not miss it... But others say it is required.
6 I have a Boss Acoustic Simulator, which, well, does not, really.... It needs a very clean power supply, and well, makes my electric guitars (all of them, single coil or humbucker) sound like, well, sick electric guitars. If you are after that Pink Floyd "Wish you were here" sound as per "Delicate sound of Thunder" album, yes. Can almost get there. Otherwise, no. I am still in two minds whether I should not just sell it, but it might have a use somewhere, somewhere, ?

Resist temptation, do not build a huge pedalboard with twenty pedals. If you need more, rather follow the advice of one modelling thingie. I am happy with just two effects, but I am a "hobby" player, as soon as you start to play out, you might need a lot more sounds.