Which Delay < $250 ??

afroman · #1 08-28-2008, 02:26 AM

I know this has been discussed before. I've spend the past week reading reviews, viewing video reviews, TB reviews, Harmony Central, You Tube, everything I could find. I can't try any of this pedals out because no store around here sells them. I'd like a good warm sound and with enough headroom for bass. Looper and tap tempo are a plus but not obligatory. So...

Here's my list:

1. Malekko 600 Dark: love, love the sound, great warm analog delay. Expensive ($250). True bypass/buffered switch. Don't know if it's $100 better than the Carbon Copy. Doesn't run on 9V. Don't know if the Bright might be better for bass. Up to 600ms of delay which is good.

2. MXR Carbon Copy: inexpensive($150) and sounds great on guitar. Haven't been able to hear it on bass. People are not raving about the MOD feature. Runs on 9V. 600ms of delay.

3. TC Electronics NOVA Delay: versatile, has tap tempo, has presets. Analog simulation is not up to par with the analog CC and Malekko600 but the rest sound great; on guitar anyways. Good deal for $250 with all the features. I think it runs on 9v. A lot of delay time.

4. Subdecay Echobox: Versatile. Has a good balance of digital and analog sound, but I still prefer the CC and 600 soundwise. More options and knobs. Runs on 9V. Expensive at $225. Up to 800ms.

The Eventide Timefactor looks and sounds great but is way too much for me and has just too many features that I dont need yet. I have tried the Line 6 DL-4 and while I like it and it has tap tempo and looper, the sound is not as good IMO as these others.

It's hard because all of them would be good and useful but I'm just having a hard time deciding.

Help guys...

irvinz · #2 08-28-2008, 02:44 AM

nova delay is real amazing, runs on 12 V btw.
the echobox and the echo has only but stellar reviews, so you cant really go wrong there

sk8 · #3 08-28-2008, 02:57 AM

echobox is great on bass. Really smooth and warm sounding IMO

theunknowndude · #4 08-28-2008, 03:10 AM

I was going for a toss up between the dd7 and the MXR carbon copy,...

have decided carbon copy cos out of all of the delays its the simplest one that achieves the sound I like,...

do a search for it as I did find one bass sound sample on talkbass

GeoffByrne · #5 08-28-2008, 03:15 AM

I'm surprised you don't have the Marshall Echohead on there - have you tried it?

sk8 · #6 08-28-2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

I'm surprised you don't have the Marshall Echohead on there - have you tried it?

or the echo park for that matter

coreyfyfe · #7 08-28-2008, 09:42 AM

I use a carbon copy and a DL4. I rarely use the DL4 for delay amymore since picking up the carbon copy, I've found some really good sounds with it and the DL4 is now strictly for looping. The stock MOD settings don't give that much variation, but you can change them by opening it up and adjusting the trim pots.

Joe Gress · #8 08-28-2008, 09:48 AM

No Stereo Memory Man with Hazari?

coreyfyfe · #9 08-28-2008, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeinsprings

No Stereo Memory Man with Hazari?

Good call. Definitely one you should check out, the only thing I didn't like about that pedal vs my DL4 was the way it quantized time on the tap tempo for the loops. Couldn't get it to work for me and that was the only reason I wanted to buy it.

Swimming Bird · #10 08-28-2008, 11:36 AM

Not much love for Boss, eh? DD-6, DD-20 and RE-20 are all viable options here.

These days I'm rocking a PS-3, DD-6, Korg KP3 and an EHX DMM and they are all fantastic delays (among other things).

afroman · #11 08-28-2008, 11:53 AM

I knew this was gonna get some great responses and even more other pedal recommendations. I've read and seen almost all reviews and videos from all of those other pedals: SMMWH, BOSS DD-20, Echo Park, DL-4, etc.

I've tried to narrow it down to these 4. If not, I could keep going forever and never get any delay pedal.

Keep the help coming please.
This is how I see it in my head (and pockets):

Tonewise: Malekko
Bargain: Carbon Copy
Versatility: Nova Delay
In the middle: Echobox

I'm thinking I could get the CC and see if I like it and then move from there. I'm just worried about headroom of this pedal for bass. I've read that a lot of people here like it, but also have seen issues about headroom and about it getting too crazy at modest settings.

Keep them coming..

afroman · #12 08-28-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theunknowndude

I was going for a toss up between the dd7 and the MXR carbon copy,...

have decided carbon copy cos out of all of the delays its the simplest one that achieves the sound I like,...

do a search for it as I did find one bass sound sample on talkbass

Found the soundclips. It sounded very nice. Maybe I should get one before MXR ups the price!!!

SteveMcB · #13 08-29-2008, 04:38 AM

If you go used, and wait a little, I bet you could get a Carbon Copy (for the warm, short, analog) and an Akai Headrush E2 (for digital/longer/tape sim/tap tempo/easiest looper I've ever heard of/used). A lot of pedalboard realestate, yes! Great tones, yes! (I haven't used the CC, but have an Ibanez AD99 analog delay which I completely love - I could live without analog delay, I just wouldn't want to). Best of both worlds.

Steve

theunknowndude · #14 08-29-2008, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afroman

Found the soundclips. It sounded very nice. Maybe I should get one before MXR ups the price!!!

you should be so lucky, its 300$ AUD here!!!

and yeah I like it alot, simple delay whilst also having the ability to do feedback from hell,... all in a tiny enclosure, what more could a bass player with a cramped pedal board ask for?

afroman · #15 08-30-2008, 02:11 AM

I think I'm gonna go with the Carbon Copy and I'm looking at the Nova Delay too. Maybe having both will provide me with the best of both worlds. If not, I'll get both and sell one.

SteveMcB · #16 08-30-2008, 02:00 PM

I don't think you'll be disappointed - a real analog delay + a great digital delay/looper is a great combination.

Steve