I need a delay. But what one?

[Albionic]

Hi guys
Having sold my multi fx I am in the market for a few pedals. I have already set my heart on a ehx small clone chorus. But am undecided on a delay. I play in a covers band doing chilli peppers, paramore, Vaccines etc. I have been looking at a Marshall echohead, a line6 echopark,ehx #1echo and a Digitech x series delay. I think what would suit me best is a digital pedal that can achieve a reasonable analog sound when needed

Any opinions?

[tonedreamer]

I like my Boss DD5, but I don't play your style of music...
I've heard great things about the Flashback by tc electronics

[BritishBluesBoy]

Have a look at the MXR Carbon Copy. I'm very happy with mine.

[dconeill]

My #1 question is always "what is your budget?"

The answer to your question will be constrained somewhat by your answer to that.

My next questions would be:
- Why did you sell your multiFX box?
- What did you like/dislike about the delay that was in your multiFX?
- What delays are used by the players you cited?

[MASONish]

Originally Posted by tonedreamer

I like my Boss DD5, but I don't play your style of music...
I've heard great things about the Flashback by tc electronics

I'd agree with tonedreamer on the Flashback. Very versatile delay and sounds great! I do not own one but have played one out of curiosity. Really impressive unit. They do have a newer version out now called "Alter Ego". It has a couple new settings on it. Haven't played one myself. I have a Cornish TES & it is hands down the very best I have personally ever played. But very pricey!

[Albionic]

Originally Posted by dconeill

My #1 question is always "what is your budget?"

The answer to your question will be constrained somewhat by your answer to that.

My next questions would be:
- Why did you sell your multiFX box?
- What did you like/dislike about the delay that was in your multiFX?
- What delays are used by the players you cited?

I am looking to buy used with a bubget of around £50. I sold the multi fx because I have a few pedals already on a pedalboard such as a boss ns2 and crybaby and I'm trying to reduce the amount I'd gear I take to gigs plus turning knobs on pedals is quicker rather than making the band wait while u scroll through menues to tweak. The delay on the fx unit was ok but could be clearer. I think the guy from paramore uses a boss double pedal thing giga 120 I thunk but I could be wrong

[tbader]

TC Flashback is a great choice for versatility (the Toneprint iPhone app is really neat), and it has a great delay tone without coloring your dry signal.

The Strymon El Capistan would be a great high-budget delay, if you are looking for the best possible quality. It absolutely astonished me how good it sounded, the one time I've played one.

However, I have a DD-7 and it nails almost every practical delay sound, except for the modulated delay. The modulation is too fast, and there's no speed control. I'll likely never sell mine, though.

[markinlondon]

You'd be lucky to score a used DD3 for 50 quid these days. Maybe look for a Digitech Digidelay. It has a range of delays built in and is quite a bit cheaper than the comparable Boss unit like the DD5,6 or 7. OTOH DD6s are a bit unloved, try a low bid on eBay.

[aunchaki]

Here's my personal 2p on the subject (n.b. I am not a delay expert, I'm just getting started):

For me, it all boils down to one issue: Do I need tap tempo or not?

NO, I DON'T
I have two delay pedals that are very simple (Rogue Analog Delay and Berhinger VD400--a BOSS DM-3 clone). These are both three-knob analog-style delays and they'll give me nice warmth and room ambiance. I can dial in multiple, fading echoes at speeds that suit my general playing (no Pink Floyd stuff here). They're cheap ($30 and $24) and I'm happy with them. They sound nice with my electric and acoustic rigs (important to me).

YOU BET I DO!
I'm a church player and tap-tempoed dotted-eight delays are the Praise & Worship flavour of the century. (More than just fashion, I like the sound.) This is a case where one of the simple delays about probably won't get the job done for me. If I'm really going to move into this genre more, I'll need a BOSS DD-7 with an expression pedal or something like that. (I do have tap tempo capability with my VOX Valvetronix amp, I'm just starting to play around with it.)

Check out the intro on Today Is the Day for a taste of what I'm talking about:

[Albionic]

That's pretty cool but I play in a rock Indy band so I'd like a nice slapback and if you listen to the intro to decode by paramore I need that sound. Also as we have no keyboard player I cover some keyboard parts(farewell to the fairground by the white lies) so something a bit more modern would be nice.
I nearly bought an Ibanez de7 but didnt make my mind up in time

[k tone]

Out of your list I would go with the Echohead. I sold mine and missed it so I bought another. Make yourself a tap tempo switch and away you go.

[Stratburst]

The Boss DD-20 met my needs for quite a while and then some. I'm actually pondering another delay but to complement it, not replace it. If you can find one used, snap it up.

[mike257]

I think for £50 I would pick up a used Echohead and a tap tempo footswitch. I spent a while looking at inexpensive delays with tap tempo and a lot of them need tricky methods like holding the pedal down for a few seconds to get you into tap mode and aren't all that practical for live use. The Echohead has a good range of sounds and will take an external tap footswitch - I don't think any others in the sub £50 range will give you that.

I ended up putting a bit of extra cash behind it and picked up a uses EHX Deluxe Memory Boy for about £90, I think the tone and features make it well worth the extra spend.

[kennesawbob]

I had a Boss DD-20 and regretted selling her. I just picked up a TC Nova delay on eBay for $150 (move over Edge) and I love it. I play in a cover band and we throw out several U2 tunes. With this pedal, like the DD-20, I can dial in my settings And save them. We go from Streets right into Pride and all I do is hit the next setting with my foot.

Now if only my drummer can make the change......

[Telenator]

Boss DD-3

They're around, and inexpensive.

Great sound, not loaded with funky features. Just a good solid delay unit.

[JesterR]

Boss DD-7. Can do digital delay, but also has nice modulated delay, analog (smoother, especially with overdrive), and tap tempo.

[artdecade]

Eventide Timefactor. Sure, its a big hunk of dough but its awesome.

[Albionic]

Thanks to all you guys who offered an opinion. i just scored a digitech x series digidelay on ebay for £37 i know its wasn't recommended by anyone but for that price i had to grab it.

anyone use one? the youtube demos seem decent

[aunchaki]

Originally Posted by Albionic

i just scored a digitech x series digidelay on ebay for £37 i know its wasn't recommended by anyone but for that price i had to grab it.

Nice score. The X Series Digitech pedals are well liked around here, generally. The DigiVerb is popular and I like my MultiChorus. I vaguely recall the DigiDelay getting some love.

Play around with it for a few days, then post a review!

Cheers...

[Albionic]

Thanks aunchaki i certainly will give a review of sorts although my experience with delay pedals is limited so i don't really have a point of reference.

happy to get this as i missed out on a memory toy with a bin price of £25 it got sold in the time it took me to ensure there was enough cash in the paypal account.