Reverb or delay?

[Deafen]

I have a Boss RV-3 Reverb/Delay. It sounds great, is super versatile, etc. But lately I've been thinking that I'd be better served by having the reverb and delay on separate pedals.

So I can either add a delay (and use the RV-3 for reverb), or add a reverb (vice versa). I usually just use the delay for a slap, but occasionally get nutty with it.

Budget is an issue, so I'd be looking at something like the Biyang RV-10 or Behringer DR600 - for delay, the Joyo Digital Delay or Jet City Flood.

So for anyone else who has the RV-3, if you had to choose between keeping the reverb or keeping the delay, which way would you go?

[Webfoot]

Two separate pedals of the right choice will have a higher quality sound.

If only one pedal, most guys would choose delay over reverb because they can also use delay to sort of simulate a reverb pedal... but not the other way around.

For years I have been delay only... but later this year, I may actually consider reverb only for just a hint of depth and ambience. In the delay world there are 'digital' and 'analog' delays. The 'digital' delays are more clean, bright and pristine sounding and more present. The 'analog' delays are warmer, rounder and the repeats or decays... are less in your face. Plus you can get tap tempo. For me, I just want to make sure I don't water down the base tone and it will accept upstream dirt pedals.

When you get something, try to make sure you can return it and really test it out. Also when playing out or loud, typically you use less delay and reverb used because your sound can get lost or watered down unless its really integral to the sound (U2 and delay or surf music and reverb).

A lot of this stuff is a huge amount of fun at home, but maybe less needed at live. Try to see who you like hearing and see if you hear delay or reverb the most. Stacking the two can get really messy. So probably would suggest looking for a nicer delay pedal first. Popular ones are the Carbon Copy (for analog sounding) and the Flashback (for digital sounding). There are many others equally good if not better.

[DannyBigShots]

I recently bought a dano fab delay for really cheap and it does slap back pretty well. I feel like quality would shine through better in reverb so you'd probably get more value out of a cheap delay.

[Deafen]

Turns out the Rogue Analog Delay is the Stupid Deal over at MF today. For $30 shipped, I can't turn that down, so I'm going that direction. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for the advice, guys!

[Mission]

Good move. I did the same. Can't pass up on a lot of those stupid deals they have. Enjoy the new pedal.

[Suttykins]

The RV-3 can produce an exceptional delay sound but reverb is where it really shines.

It's generally regarded as the best reverb BOSS has produced so I think you made the right choice by getting a separate delay.

Whenever I find myself asking the question "reverb or delay?" I always reach the same conclusion.

Both.

In abundance.

Happy stomping!

[mattdean4130]

I have a behringer reverb and i can't recommend it enough. It's virtually transparent and sounds good - plastic enclosure has held up fine, and for the price it's perfect. It does sound digital, but nice enough especially fine for stage use. The best reverb pedal i've heard is from Malekko - but they're boutiquey expensive!

[Big_Bend]

I have an RV-3, great pedal, not sure why Boss discontinued it. I think it sounds great as just a delay, just a reverb, or using both at once.

I mostly use it for slap back delay, since all my amps these days have built in reverb. But when I plug into an amp that doesn't have reverb (like my friend's Marshall) I'm using both reverb and delay all the time.

As for OPs question, I think you did good getting another delay pedal and using the RV-3 for reverb. But honestly I was not that thrilled with the Rogue analog delay pedal... you might find yourself going back to the RV-3.

Have fun!

[Deafen]

Got the Rogue a couple days ago, finally got to mess with it last night. With the delay time and repeats all the way down, it's a great slapback. I'm a little less impressed with the longer / more repeat sound, but it's going to work great for what I need. Thanks for all the advice!