The Steel Guitar Forum

I use the delay on my POD all the time! Usually in a slapback or like a reverb, but sometimes with long repeats to create a texture. Delays (and the old Echoplexes) are my favorite effects, they're so much fun to goof around with.

Brian Wampler has a new delay/reverb pedal. It's both in one pedal called the Ethereal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1e9BESlEic

And it does sound like it's name.

As I mentioned in another discussion, I usually add just a touch of delay (one subtle repeat) with reverb when we play outdoors. I think it can make it sound more like a large room, with just a hair of reflection coming off a wall.....that isn't there.

I'll also use a touch of delay in a dead room that has lots of carpet and drapes.

I hate hearing over-used delay pedals creating extra notes pinging around, getting in the way of the music.

Jerry Overstreet wrote: https://youtu.be/ZhbtOavlIgg Yeah, so was this guy, THE Master...known to be fond of the DD3 as well as other devices. I don't know if it's on this clip or not, but maybe.

I'd love to hear the effects haters' clips of anything near this sweet. Anything can be made to sound bad if you try hard enough.

I didn't hear it on this video.

I love a 300 ms delay with a few repeats on some ballads, going for a David Gilmour type echo sound on long held notes. I use a Boss DD3.

Otherwise, I use a barely noticeable reverb.

Tap tempo feature is good.

I'm a nobody, but I like just a bit at times. If I'm playing an amp with spring reverb that has a long decay, like my twin, I'll pass on it.

I generally prefer to use it when the amp has an effects loop. If I'm playing my twin, it's old school, no delay.

One subtle repeat, if it's too noticeable, I need to scale it back. I generally decrease the dwell ( if the set up allows ) on the reverb if I'm adding delay. Pre-delay is a really cool feature if you have it.

Like any effect, it can be overused.

I compare it to cooking . A pinch of salt can help , too much salt, can ruin the meal.

I've been using a delay since the 80's. It was a DD3. I liked it a lot. I could add longer repeats for ballards and shorten the response time for quick stuff. I'm using a TC Electronics M-300 now, with my Stereo Steel set up. The same approach, but, more options of delay. I find it fattens the notes/chords up and gives a fuller sound. Plus, on ballards or slow tunes it sustains the notes/chords longer without having to raise your volume in order to do that. You don't have to work so hard to keep the sustain going. Of course, when playing live, it just gives me that sensation. I have no idea what their hearing in the audience. I've never had a complaint though. Normally, when I've recorded, I've gone straight into the board and we've added effects afterward. I've done some live recordings, but, they're hard to discern how much the echo affects the overall sound as compared to a fuzz or flanger or chorus.

I recently played on the same outdoor show with Bobby Eddinton (I think that's the correct spelling of his last name) Anyway, he was using a delay set at about 400 m.s. and very strong on the delayed signal. It sounded so good, I've started using mine that way too. Only about 1 1/2 repeats, with the repeated signal almost as loud as the dry signal. It really makes it sound thick and BIG. Tommy......

I watched Buddy and Jeff use it, I use it. Part of the sound I like and have for over 30 years....

Agreed with Brian, I also use the El Capistan by Strymon. Very gentle settings, and it gives that 50s warm tape machine delay vibe.
Video of me using it here along with some reverb too.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nUenEmNyDIM

I have a Boss DD2 on my little board but only use it for ambient effect when needed. Otherwise it stays off. Little verb is fine from LTD 400 or my Nash 400. That and my Earth Drive. Only 2 pedals on my board besides tuner. Used to run it all the time but no more.

As an expert who plays twice per year, echoplex with oil can reverb.

The audience is very forgiving.

I use a DD-6.Much easier to manage than my old rack with a Quadraverb,Alesis 3630,and a Rackrider power supply.Been leaving it off more and more and just using the internal reverb.Playing mostly thru a Fox-mod NV112.

I use a Peavey Pro Fex through my Walker Stereo Steel. And I adjust the level of the effect through the effects control on the Walker.

Chris Lucker wrote:As an expert who plays twice per year, echoplex with oil can reverb.

The audience is very forgiving.

Ya mean no boos for all the hiss???

I you need and/or think one or both of these enhances your technique, then you some considerable, self-disciplined practice to smooth out your changes. I've played steel guitar and pedal for 70 years and I never needed such crutches. However, as always, there is absolutely no accounting for taste.

Robert Leaman wrote:I you need and/or think one or both of these enhances your technique, then you some considerable, self-disciplined practice to smooth out your changes. I've played steel guitar and pedal for 70 years and I never needed such crutches. However, as always, there is absolutely no accounting for taste.

Crutches??

The original question "Is everyone still using a delay?" is a little flawed. There are no absolutes in the world of pedal steel; everyone simply uses what they feel (or what they have heard) will give them the best sound. Neither a reverb unit, a delay unit, or no effects at all, should be considered "best" - that's all just personal taste. There are up-sides and down-sides to everything on earth, and our little corner of it ain't no different.

I like just a little Delay...and a little Reverb on my amp!

I used to use one of the old Boss DM-3's...but I started using a Boss DD-7...and I liked it so well...I put my old Boss DM-3 away...and don't even know where I put it!

Donny Hinson wrote:The original question "Is everyone still using a delay?" is a little flawed. There are no absolutes in the world of pedal steel; everyone simply uses what they feel (or what they have heard) will give them the best sound. Neither a reverb unit, a delay unit, or no effects at all, should be considered "best" - that's all just personal taste. There are up-sides and down-sides to everything on earth, and our little corner of it ain't no different.

I suppose the title of the thread is flawed in so much as the answer is simply "no" since at least one person doesn't use it.

But I don't see anything wrong with the more detailed question that was asked which was how many people use them and what are their thoughts?

He didn't ask what is "best".

Does anybody remember that little analog delay pedal Buddy Charleton used at that smoky little teaching studio of his in Maryland ? I used to love going over there.

Larry Behm wrote:I set my Boss VF1 to about 420 with 1 slap back at about 15%, it gives my sound the illusion of wetness, thus I can cut back on the amount of reverb and still not appear to be dry.

Would you mind explaining what is meant by wet or dry reverb? It may sound like a dumb question but I'm sure this is the place for an answer. Thank you.

Norman Watson wrote:

Larry Behm wrote:I set my Boss VF1 to about 420 with 1 slap back at about 15%, it gives my sound the illusion of wetness, thus I can cut back on the amount of reverb and still not appear to be dry.

Would you mind explaining what is meant by wet or dry reverb? It may sound like a dumb question but I'm sure this is the place for an answer. Thank you.

The dry sound is the original signal and the wet sound is the reverb sound and so you choose a mix between wet and dry that suits you.

100% wet would be just the distant echoey reverb sound with none of the original at all.

Picked up a Minifooger bucket brigade delay the other year. Pretty underwhelmed by the thing after a year of having it. It does the feed back regeneration thing really well but for normal clean tone delays I think there are better options out there.

I think Maxon delays do the same thing better. Tried the Moog on my steel last night and it colors the sound too much. The Maxon AD-80 I have is better at a subtle repeat and slap back imo.