need some direction on getting started..when i played bass i was in a blues band

So a few years back I saved this old Seville acoustic from the dumpster. I have always been a person that loves a project. I am 100% sure this guitar is not worth the time or money I am putting into it but with me being a luthier I dont care I am determined to make this thing sing.

im a combat vet..so when i started therapy i had like a vision that i had left my soul there cuz i came back a total different person..its been waiting for me to pick it up..so i put it to a song https://suno.com/s/SCdA3EFQFhh8ytH7

i had some saved credit so i found this beautiful Tele..nothing big, nothing fany...i bought this strat mainly for looks, love skulls..plus always wanted to dabble in the blues

What is the groups overall thoughts on using pedals? I just purchased a tone pedal, so that I don't have to use multiple guitars when I have to drop down like for Kick Start My Heart, Some people have said it's better just to retune and other have said the pedal is the way to go.