The Steel Guitar Forum

hi, i would like to keep my tone pretty basic for now..............just starting on steel......... but i think i would like to add some delay my question is analog or digital? thanx in advance for all advice..............Tommy

Delay is usually a very subtle effect with steel. You'll find most use digital to keep that pristine tone, and usually 1 repeat, fairly fast to fatten it up a touch. Boss DD-3 is very popular.

Modern digital delays sound very good, very natural. Analog delays roll off the highs on each repeat, which sounds much like natural echoes. Modern digital delays often do the same thing.

For a good delay on a budget, look at the Rocktron Short Timer. It's about $55, really well-built, and sounds great. I've been using one for a couple of years, and often prefer it to analog.

I have a T-Rex replica that's on my guitar board but I enjoy using it for my steel too.

While it is digital it has a "brown" switch which darkens the repeats for a more "analog" tone which is what I tend to use with my Tele but tend to leave off with the steel for more pristine repeats.

The best feature of the Replica though is that it has tap-tempo. I find it much quicker to tap in a tempo to match the song rather than use knobs.

It's also hard to get the long delay times of a digital delay with an analog delay, so if you're looking for long echos, you may have to go digital. The little blue Guyatone Micro Delay is another good one, small and inexpensive.

Line 6 Echo Park Delay has a multitude of settings. Has a switch for Tape, Digital or Analog. Also has a Tap Tempo so you can have the repeats in tempo with whatever song you are playing. They're on Ebay all the time.

Another (budget-minded) vote for the Rocktron Short-Timer. Not a lot of features but great sound. Use it with a power supply though, that sucker will scarf a 9v fast.