$310

What has been anyone's experience using effects pedals for acoustic guitars? I play with a praise band in church and do some solo gigs and would like to add a few new things to the shows.

It seems to me that it really isn't worth it buying a "specialty" pedal like Boss' AC-50 for acoustic effects. I know it says that the pedal is specially tailored to an acoustic, but I really think that general effects (especially analog ones) sound so much more powerful and carry a much greater, well, effect. I've found the same thing with effects that say they're tailored for bass. I usually use analog effects when I can.

If you're looking around for some good effects, I highly recommend:
Electro-Harmonix
Moog
Line6
Tech 21
MXR
(and in some cases) Dunlop

There are plenty other recommendations I could make if I knew what specific effect you were looking for (like an MXR Phase 90), or if you happened to be after a multi-effect pedal (like Boss' GT-3, GT-6, GT-8, and GT-10)

Although I agree that a multi-effects pedal is probably overkill on an acoustic, I have heard both a chorus and a compressor used to good effect on them. One of the acoustic players in my praise band uses a Boss CE-20 Chorus Ensemble, which has six different chorus models, including one of the old Roland Chorus Ensemble, which was one of the first chorus pedals and, in my mind, still one of the best. The CE-20 has an Acoustic setting and can be used on bass and electric as well. It sells for around $170. A compressor will add "sparkle" to almost any acoustic and is useful both live and in the studio. Both the Boss CS-3 and MXR Dynacomp do a good job and come in at less than $90.

It really does depend on what you are looking for. As Lakelander said, chorus is often a neat effect to add to an acoustic. However, it must be used sparingly. There are some effects that are made to simply enhance the sound (in an EQ sense) of the guitar. Martin makes the "Martin Aura" pedal which is quite a stunning pedal. There is also a nice, less expensive pedal from Aphex called the "Acoustic Xciter." These pedals are made to "excite" the frequencies lost through a conventional piezo pick up. The technology is really quite unique. I will be reviewing each of these pedals in detail very soon. Thanks Bob!

One of the guitarists in my band uses the BBE Sonic Maximizer on both acoustic and electric. I think it's kinda like the Aural exciter, which I used to use on bass. The BBE pedal adds presence and clarity, yet it's very subtle. Only costs $99, too.