New delay pedal

[marnold]

My Boss DD-6 keeps acting up (see my other thread on the subject) and so I am looking for another delay pedal. I mainly use it for adding some size to my soloing tone and to pretend to be reverb for clean stuff. I'm looking at a MXR Carbon Copy. I also looked at a Line 6 M5 that would have delays and reverb (and a bunch of other things) but complaints about build quality have scared me off a bit. I also looked at a Way Huge Aqua-Puss, but I wonder if 300ms delay would be enough (I don't use a _ton_ more, but still). I'd like to keep it relatively inexpensive (i.e. $150 or lower). Digital or analog, doesn't make much of a difference. This, of course, all depends on how good Santa is to me :) Thoughts?

[oldguy]

Hi, Marnold !
I've been using two Digitech delays for about 3 yrs. now. The first one is the old standard "X-series" hundred dollar model.
The second is the Hardwire Digital Delay/Looper, closer to 160 bucks. I like them both, but if I had it to do over I'd just buy the X series. It does all I really need for live playing and home playing/recording. I have a Jamman looper so I don't use the Hardwire in loop mode much. There are lots of choices out there, I realize, but Digitech is what the nearest mom and pop type music store handles, and I like to buy/support local business unless it's crazy expensive or they can't get what I want.

So far both pedals have worked great. The X series is the one I had first. I think I've had it around 8 years. I've probably twiddled with it and stomped on it thousands of times, and it still works great.
Hope you get one you like, whatever brand you buy.

[Tig]

I really love my Carbon Copy delay. It always sounds so good no matter what I set it to do, from slap-back to atmospheric stuff and Gilmour like delays. It is a great best bang for your buck at $150.

Since I really like to play with delay more than any other effect, I'm looking at something else to expand the palette further. I'm looking at the TC Electronic Flashback Delay (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Flashback).
The only other affordable delay that has my eye is the Red Witch Violetta Delay (http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SSViolettaDly) at $139.


Now if money were no issue, I'd be talking Strymon Brigadier or Timeline. :hungry

[marnold]

Oldguy,

I also pondered the Digitech ones, although I haven't looked at the X series in a while. I'll check them out too.

Tig,

Strymon makes some great stuff, but money is an issue and I don't think I'd use 1/100th of their capabilities. Heck, I don't use most of my DD-6's capabilities. There's something to be said about the simplicity of a Carbon Copy or the like. The TC Electronics Mini Flashback looks interesting too. I may have to research that one a bit. It's smaller and cheaper than the full sized version, but has the cool Toneprint stuff.

I should also add that the pedal will live in my JCA22H's effects loop.

[oldguy]

Matt,

I think any of those you mentioned would work. The Digitech has over 4 seconds of delay, although I can't imagine needing it. I like the dual outs if I'm running two amps. That's the one I mentioned because it's the one I have used. I previously had a Danelectro PB &J. I wouldn't recommend that unless you trust plastic cases and just need a slapback thing. I sold mine cheap when I bought the Digitech.

The Carbon Copy is analog, so it might be a better sounding delay, depending on how good your hearing is. I doubt I could hear the difference, but I'm 60 and have tinnitus.....they always seem to get good reviews, though. Some guys swear by analog if it's a delay pedal.

TC electronics have had a good reputation and gotten good reviews for years, that's about all I know about them. I doubt I'd use the toneprint feature, but that's just me.

I'll just throw this out there if you're on a budget....... a lot of people really seem to like the Modtone pedals. I have no experience with them.

[Robert]

I use my M9 all the time, and I love the sounds in it. I have never had any problems with it, so I would recommend the M5.

I also have a DD-20 that sounds really good. I should sell it - I can't fit it on my pedalboard and I use the M9, so... :) If you ever see a used DD-20 for a good price, it's a really good delay pedal. The modulated delay is gorgeous.

[marnold]

I use my M9 all the time, and I love the sounds in it. I have never had any problems with it, so I would recommend the M5.

I also have a DD-20 that sounds really good. I should sell it - I can't fit it on my pedalboard and I use the M9, so... :) If you ever see a used DD-20 for a good price, it's a really good delay pedal. The modulated delay is gorgeous.

An M5 would be an ideal solution because I could also use it for effects that I wouldn't use much, like Uni-Vibe or flanger (as well as the aforementioned reverb). I'm not really thrilled at how my EX-7's flanger sounds in the effects loop. I thought it might be because most Soldano amps have an effects loop that assumes rack gear, but the JCA22H doesn't. Any pedal should work.

It's hard to know how much to trust sites/reviews that talk about build quality. It shouldn't be a big issue for me because it will probably never leave my office. Of course, Brad Paisley tours with an M13 (and a ton of other pedals) so . . .

What do you primarily use the M9 for? Time-based stuff?

[Robert]

I use my M9 for delay mostly, but sometimes in our cover band, I need some chorus, reverb, of even wacky synth sounds, and the M9 can handle that easily. The reverbs and choruses are quite good.

I sometimes use phaser or tremolo as well, in the band. The vibrato effect is also pretty cool for certain situations.

I find the Screamer sounds really, really good into a tube amp. And for those 80s heavy metal songs, I have that kind of distortion in the M9.

Secret tip: try the Tube or Tape echos - I find both of them add a really pleasing sounding tone, when you have gain before them. They definitely color the tone a lot, but I really like the way they do just that. :) One of them is my favorite, but I can never remember which is which... I have it written down on my phone somewhere.

[Eric]

I don't know if this is the sort of thing you're looking for, but the first thought I had when I read your initial post was a Line 6 Echo Park. It's a dumbed-down DL4 that is cheaper and smaller, but it still has a lot of relevant features and can do a ton of different things.

In the world of digital delay stompboxes, that would be my first choice if I was shopping for one. Not sure how much they are new, but used I think they go for $100.

[Robert]

Used M5s are around $150 on ebay.

[sunvalleylaw]

Hi, Marnold !
I've been using two Digitech delays for about 3 yrs. now. The first one is the old standard "X-series" hundred dollar model.
The second is the Hardwire Digital Delay/Looper, closer to 160 bucks. I like them both, but if I had it to do over I'd just buy the X series. It does all I really need for live playing and home playing/recording. I have a Jamman looper so I don't use the Hardwire in loop mode much. There are lots of choices out there, I realize, but Digitech is what the nearest mom and pop type music store handles, and I like to buy/support local business unless it's crazy expensive or they can't get what I want.

So far both pedals have worked great. The X series is the one I had first. I think I've had it around 8 years. I've probably twiddled with it and stomped on it thousands of times, and it still works great.
Hope you get one you like, whatever brand you buy.

Hey!! Glenn! Great to hear from you!!

Re: the delay pedals, I have really enjoyed my MXR Carbon Copy in terms of sound, but i use it more either as a slap back, or when messing around with long trip sounds. It does not, obviously, have the tap tempo option, and I am no delay expert. but to the extent it helps for me to confirm that it has a really nice sound.

EDIT: I also have a M9, though I have not messed with the delays much. I need to get creative like Tig and some of the others and play with it more. Especially with the tap tempo thing.

[marnold]

Used M5s are around $150 on ebay.

They dropped the price on them. MF has them for $130.

Leaning heavily toward the Carbon Copy though. I reserve the right to change my mind. ;)

My delay has started changing delay modes while I'm playing. Feature. Or it's possessed.

[sunvalleylaw]

They dropped the price on them. MF has them for $130.

Leaning heavily toward the Carbon Copy though. I reserve the right to change my mind. ;)

My delay has started changing delay modes while I'm playing. Feature. Or it's possessed.

A M5 would be cool too. I use the M9 mostly for reverb right now, but it's sounds are pretty good. I really should use it more for some other things. Maybe not AS organic and natural sounding as the Carbon Copy I would guess, but more features too. Either way will be good!

[Tig]

$99! :socool
http://proguitarshop.com/tc-electronic-alter-ego-2.html


http://youtu.be/fKp7ilQJ0Jg

[Robert]

This one is nice too!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BAJ5QFomQY

[marnold]

$99! :socool
http://proguitarshop.com/tc-electronic-alter-ego-2.html

Hmm. Very interesting. I wonder how long that price will be good . . .

[Tig]

Hmm. Very interesting. I wonder how long that price will be good . . .

I'm guessing thru cyber Monday.
I broke down and ordered one yesterday. :hungry

[marnold]

He who hesitates is lost. It's already out of stock. I'll have to keep an eye on the site to see if it comes back.

[Robert]

So now what? M5? Carbon Copy?

Perhaps the Joyo delay (http://amzn.to/1yB0kHs) for $29.03?

[marnold]

Dunno right now. We "invested" in a PS4 so I might have to hold off until my birthday.

[marnold]

Well, apparently I'm getting a Digitech Hardwire DL-8. Musician's Friend has them for $60. Several online places are sold out of them, so I don't know if the line is being discontinued or what the deal is. Regardless, a pedal that typically goes for $160 for $60? Yes, please.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/digitech-hardwire-dl-8-delay-looper-guitar-effects-pedal

[oldguy]

Well, apparently I'm getting a Digitech Hardwire DL-8. Musician's Friend has them for $60. Several online places are sold out of them, so I don't know if the line is being discontinued or what the deal is. Regardless, a pedal that typically goes for $160 for $60? Yes, please.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/digitech-hardwire-dl-8-delay-looper-guitar-effects-pedal

Congrats on the pedal Marnold!
I think you'll like it a lot. The 20 second loop feature is fun to play with, although I use my Jamman for longer serious loop projects.
The modulated delay setting is pretty cool. And the Hardwire pedals I have are built like bricks.

Don't run it on 9v battery power, get an adapter if you don't already have one. They eat batteries like crazy. I tried it once and all the pedals were dying by the end of the gig.
Not good!
With an adapter they're great, though.

[marnold]

Thanks! Yeah, I run my pedals off a 1-Spot so I'm set there. Being able to use it as a semi decent looper is a nice bonus. I'm interested in trying some of the analog models too.

[Tig]

:dance
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQi-w2BxOJoSb8F4mu1ArVhrr5vVxzB7Ep-KwV5VSCL1L5GuCEHBs_kBg

[Robert]

:digit

[marnold]

My only concern is that it is back-ordered. When I ordered it the estimated shipping date was the 19th. Now it's January 3. I can be patient for a deal like this. I just hope it doesn't turn out that they won't be getting anymore in. The would make me a sad panda. MF is usually pretty good about this sort of thing, though. Since the holidays are approaching, I can see shipping estimates sliding.

[kidsmoke]

those red witch pedals are cool, they come up cheap on the "hello music" mailers from time to time as well. I bought a used Strymon El Capistan a while back. Amazing pedal that is like spanish to me...i speak just enough to get in trouble.

The M5 list NEW for less than 130$ seems like that may be the best option based on reviews here!

[marnold]

Yay! My pedal shipped on Christmas Eve! Hopefully it should be here by the beginning of the week. My old pedal is beginning to drive me crazy. Yes, it's a short drive.

[Eric]

Cool deal. I used to have one of those reverb pedals but at this point, I've switched to an HD500 whenever I play guitar. I think I'm sufficiently effects-averse to be about to bypass the stompbox route, though I always found it easier to digest things when I had a pedal with a given set of dials vs. an the infinite options of a modeler.

Please update with your impressions of the new pedal. Why is it that you're upgrading again? I might have to go look at the first post and re-read that.

Update: Oh, I guess it's malfunctioning. That makes sense. This seems like it might be an upgrade over that DD-6 anyway.

[marnold]

I'll do that. I'm looking forward to trying the pseudo analog and modulated settings. The looping functions should be significantly better too.