You're going to want effects. It's inevitable. And even as a beginner, after learning how to get a reasonable tone out of your fingers, you deserve an icecream treat! Seriously effects make the Stick interesting and FUN and THAT'S WHY WE PLAY. Just to add some SPICE (sorry I'm a chef) Chorus, delay, reverb, compression, FUZZ, they make playing FUN and you can get something like a ZOOM used cheap that will give you that variety of tones and help you decide what you want later & yer ready to part with some $$$. No I don't work for ZOOM I'm 62 and play the Stick because I love it, it keeps me from going outside and spitting on people