players, the answer to this question might be
“just one good one.”
Some guitarists actually will make use
of a wide variety of echo tones in their
playing, but for others the best option will
be something simpler, with a great core
delay sound that can then be tweaked and
manipulated to achieve colorful variations
on that signature tone. Examples of modern
pedals designed in this way include the
MXR Carbon Copy and the Keeley Magnetic
Echo. These effects are based on classic
models that had one readily identifiable
fundamental tone, and there’s still a lot
to be said for this way of doing things.
Think of the impact classic delays like the
Maestro Echoplex, Electro-Harmonix Deluxe
Memory Man, and the Boss DM-2 had with
but a single core sound to work with. Some
guitarists thrive when presented with endless
options, but most would do better with
fewer variables and an enhanced focus.
Tame vs. wild
In the old days, delay effects could be
somewhat unpredictable in nature. Stepping
on the switch was always an adventure, and
would often result in a variety of different
tones, some intended, and some not. Tape-
based units were especially fickle, with
all sorts of warbles, wobbles, and ghost
modulation tones appearing as tape and
transport became dirty or began to degrade
over time. Some units were also prone to
varying degrees of self-oscillation, and with
vintage manufacturing tolerances being
what they were, two different examples of
the same unit might not sound the same or
behave in exactly the same way.
ToneReport.com
17