Which delay to get?

[Zappstorius]

Guyatone MD-3 (which I hear has reliability issues)

Boss DD-3 (leader in the clubhouse)

Digitech Digital Delay (trouble with the switching on/off)

Any suggestions?

[Swift713]

Boss DD3

[bongomania]

Is there a reason why those three are the options named? Are they quick cheap local deals? 'Cause otherwise there are a ton more delays out there with equal or better reputations. A search will reveal them. If those three are really it for you though, then I'd hit the Boss just for reliability.

[Zappstorius]

Well the reason that those three were named was for three reasons: affordability, simplicity and that they are all digital.

I tried an analog delay and it sounded muddy, unclear, warbly...all things that I do not want in a delay pedal. Maybe I'm a little naive, but I figured that all things analog would be warmer than all things digital.

And that a digital petal would be more crisp, pingy if you will. But I'm open to other suggestions if you have some.

And as far as the search function goes, I did that...for all of the pedals...and the first thread listed was about "best flanger for bass". I've tried to do my homework before posting, but I don't want to pull the trigger on something without getting some advise...alas why I narrowed the thread to three pedals.

[ishouldbeking]

I was looking for something similar (mainly for guitar mind you, i don't find much use for delay on bass, but that's just me) and wound up with the Guyatone MD-3. As many other posters will probably attest, I found the MD-3 to have a much more pleasing sound (less harsh) than the DD-3. Not that the Boss is bad; it is, after all, the standard for digital delay stompboxes. Another thing that doesn't always get mentioned 'bout the MD-3: you can set it to self-oscillate, which is an uncommon feature outside of much more expensive pedals or noise-specific pedals... it's not something you'd use very often, but when you need a "spaceship taking off then exploding at mach 19" sound, you'll be happy you got it. The size is another plus... it's tiny.

I've had no reliability issues with it, and haven't heard of any either (not to say they don't exist, just my experience). The rubber gasket construction bugs a lot of folks, as does the small battery compartment... I use a 1-spot adapter and keep it velcroed to my pedal board where it's sturdy and solid as can be. The Boss is certainly more robust, but I've never had an issue with the MD-3's construction. One nitpicky issue though: the switch on mine doesn't "click" when you stomp it. It just slides up and down. The satisfying click of an expensive switch really can't be beat, but the MD-3 has an LED anyway, so there'll be no question whether you turned it on or not. Oh, and this thing EATS batteries. Digital delays tend to consume batteries faster than anything else, but this one can drain a 9 volt in an hour easily. I recommend a power supply, and i would for the Boss as well.

I've never heard nor tried the Digitech, so I won't comment there.

[RickenBoogie]

I've never been big on delay until I found the EHX Stereo Memoryman. This pedal rocks, has 8 modes, will do a 30 sec. loop, has reverse. What's not to like. It's more $$ than the others listed, but not that much, around $200. Well worth checking out.

[Kitsapbass]

Originally Posted by Zappstorius

Digitech Digital Delay (trouble with the switching on/off)

I use this one, I haven't had any problems with it yet...I use the reverse delay the most, and then the looping. It works and I got it cheap (used here on TB)...

[El-Bob]

i've heard that the on/off switch on digitechs eventually stop working for no apparent reason, but i don't know about the other pedals.

[Kitsapbass]

Probably needs a new switch design....?

[timmbass]

A pretty interesting analog read here...but I do not know how they perform with bass...

http://www.analogman.com/IbanezMaxonAD91.htm

[casio]

I'd go with the dd3, its a nice pedal, but for the ammount of delay I use, I find my deluxe memory man to do the job!

[timmbass]

I have heard good things about the Visual Sound H2O Liquid Chorus Echo / Delay Pedal. But I do not know if you want to spend that much.

[bass-shy]

Of the three choices that you listed, the Guyatone would be my pick. It is the cleanest, sharpest and most accurate delay you are likely to find. The other two are decent..............the MD-3 is great. (IMO of course.)

[fishtx]

My two picks would be either the Guyatone MD-3 or the Line 6 Echo Park...

The Guyatone is the best sounding in it's price range...and the Echo Park is feature rich.

[El-Bob]

Originally Posted by Kitsapbass

Probably needs a new switch design....?

i'd say. my friends digitech distortion stopped working the other day in the same manner as i described

[Kitsapbass]

Maybe that's why the have that 6 year warranty...but I'd still prefer it to run right without needing to use it!

[iualum]

...another MD-3 vote...plus, including myself, I know a 1/2 dozen people who own this Guyatone mini, no problems w/the box...

[assboglin]

I've owned the Guyatone. It's a great sounding pedal, but I hated that it was too small and I had a lot of problems with it's switch. I now use a DD-3 for a small simple delay that is more reliable.

[metallist]

I own a Digitech DigiDelay - definatly go with the Boss DD-3 or DD-6
At least the switch won't stop working (like my digitechs one did...)

[jollygiantchris]

my buddy that plays guitar let me use his ibanez DE7 delay/echo pedal i rather liked it and it's probably the cheapest delay pedal out there might wanna give it a shot i plan on buying it myself after i get a fretless