Originally, when I was going to write this post, I was going to do it a little differently. I was going to pull some various resources to figure out the top 5 delay pedals on the market today. The problem is.. this is quite subjective. Top 5 could mean the best, but best is often not realistic (Does expensive mean best? Is exclusivity best? Is workhorse best? Is popularity best?). I wanted to compile maybe the most ‘popular’ or possibly the best bang for the buck set of delays.

So, I thought I would do something different and post my opinion, but ask for you to supply your own opinion of your top 5 delays below in the comments. Please add some explanations of your choices to help others.

For this, I compiled this short list of common delays available today. I know there are delays missing, but wanted to include delays that I often see on Pedal Line Fridays, and see in recurring discussions on forums, etc. If you feel one is not in here… and should be included, comment or contact me, and I’ll update this post. This list is in no particular order.

Empress SuperDelay
Diamond Memory Lane 2
Pigtronix PHI Echolution
T-Rex Replica Delay
Eventide Timefactor
Strymon El Capistan Tape Echo
Strymon TimeLine
Fulltone Tape Echo
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Boy
Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
Akai Head Rush E2
Boss DD-20 GigaDelay
Boss RE-20 Space Echo
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
MXR Carbon Copy
Way Huge Aqua Puss Analog Delay
Boss DD-7 Delay
Boss DD-3 Delay
Maxon AD999 Delay

Okay, for my opinion of the Top 5 Delay Pedals on the Market.

1. T-Rex Replica Delay
2. Eventide Timefactor
3. Boss DD-7 Delay
4. MXR Carbon Copy
5. Electro-Harmonix Memory Man

T-Rex Replica Delay – I own this personally, and I think this is an awesome delay. Love the tone, love the tap tempo, very warm sounding

Eventide Timefactor – I’ve seen mention of this over and over. It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum, but there is no denying that this is a popular delay. It may be more complicated than what I like, but I would love to take it for a spin.

Boss DD-7 – I’m including this because it’s a work horse. I almost want to include all the DD series pedals. For the price, it’s a great sounding digital delay. I own a Boss DD-3 and it’s great for the rhythmic delay overlay. I always feel like I want to exclude it, but every time I play it, I’m impressed.

MXR Carbon Copy – I still wonder why I don’t own this. I’ve thought about buying it a ton. This is a perfect example of following Pedal Line Fridays. The amount of times I see this pedal on the line is ridiculous. Probably one of the most popular delays featured on Pedal Line Friday submissions.

Electro-Harmonix Memory Man – I would probably slap the Deluxe Memory Boy, Hazarai, etc. EHX makes some amazing gear, and this is a classic delay. Upper Mid-Range in price, but unbelievably solid. Love the tone. Jimmy Rolle (who does the demos) has an older Deluxe Memory Man, and the pedal is bad ass.

I have a feeling I’m going to change my mind in about an hour….

So let’s hear what your Top 5 is… and more importantly why. Remember, we’re not just picking the 5 most expensive pedals. I think showcasing ‘working man’ delays with the high end stuff is a good metric on the popularity and the effectiveness of the particular delays. Getting feedback from you guys is a great way to see what is hot or required for delay guys.

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I figured I haven’t asked a ‘community question’ in a while, so yesterday I asked the following question to Twitter and Facebook – “What amp(s) do you play through?“. I like asking these questions to see what people are using out there. Here were the responses:

Twitter

paylor1970 @effectsbay Marshall JVM 410H for live gigs. Just a small Crate for practicing at home.
Guitarblogstar @effectsbay Laney A3012 series 2 valave amp ..its delicious
GiantGentle @effectsbay ah… That’s a secret!
esmasqueunjulio 1974 Fender Twin Reverb
michaeljantz @effectsbay Fender Blues Deluxe!
palavarela @effectsbay ’76 Marshall Super Lead modded by Dave Friedman and Bogner Ecstasy 101B
ERiCtheBuLL @effectsbay Line 6 Spider 3 HD150 through a matching Mk2 4×12 cab.
meneermeijer Blackstar HT5-S totally rules.
palmheroes @effectsbay Epiphone Valve Jr.
Goosoniqueworx @effectsbay Fender Bassman 135 (modded) and Swart Space Tone
SuspendedStudio @effectsbay epiphone valve jr
sbos @effectsbay Chris Custrom Christal – Handmade fender champion-like head
jasonsaurus @effectsbay the chosen amps: http://www.myspace.com/musicworkscharlotte
AndrewElmore @effectsbay i play through a Fender Frontman 212 Reverb, but I would love to one day get a hold of a Super or Deluxe
AustinRemington @effectsbay i play through a vintage Rivera Knucklehead 55. I love that amp oh so much.
dnamusicrocks @effectsbay Line 6 spider II …an old one
TeeAreBee @effectsbay a Raven RG200, a Line 6 Spider III 15 Watt, and a Crate Blue Voodoo head into a Peavey Cab.
PeterBerki @effectsbay I like orange, but they’re too expensive. Carvin X100b for me. 600 made in usa tube
aS_hayashi @effectsbay Marshall 1987X! Would play through a 1959 but it’s too heavy for my to lug around to gigs in my small car.
markgrundhoefer @effectsbay Carvin MTS3212.
ajp71555 @effectsbay Vox AC15CC1 & Peavey Valve King Royal 8
joelcyu @effectsbay blues jr. !
chunter16 @effectsbay Raw signal to desk or PA.
ariasjose @effectsbay none, I just plug a XLR from the table to my Line 6 X3 Live… and for practice I just use headphones!

Facebook

Jahn Xavier It’s all about portability for me. I use a Fender Blues Jr & a Blues Deluxe, depending on the desired tone or size of the venue – both have been heavily modded/rebuilt by Ben Fargen at Fargen Amplification. Also replaced the first 12AX7 in the Jr with a 12AY7, which got rid of that “boxy” sound they can have (as well as that notorious Fender ‘volume jump’”. ALso have Celestion G12H30 speakers in both.
John Elliott I have a Roost Session Master which is like a Marshall copy also with two 12 inch Celestion speakers. Mmmm changing the valves – I have 12AX7s- I might give that a try
Marcelo Donati I use a Behringer V-ampire, but I really want a Fender Stage 112 SE!
Tom Spencer Matchless Lightning 15 Reverb. Yes.
Russ Benoit Just traded in my Crate V50 today for a Fender Frontman 25r. I was sad to see the tubage go, but with 2 small kids I *never* got to play the amp at a decent volume, so away it went.
David Brown Fryette SigX and a TruTone 2×12 loaded with Celestion Blues.
Mike Jackson 1st gen fender cyber-twin. You reminded me to look for a repair place (rotory knobs went iffy) and found one down the street from the office! Nice!
Bill Thompson Two Fender 59 Bassman Reissues,… (((STEREO)))!
Dave Jones Fender 1994 tweed Blues Deluxe and a more recent tweed Blues Junior with Jensen speaker. About to drop a Weber 12F150 into the BDx V1 replaced with a 12AY7 in the BJr and a 5751 in the BDx. Otherwise running Tungsol 12AX7 and 6L6/5881 and JJ EL84 respectively for the amps. Yeah I’m into tubes right now Oh & a volume box in the FX loop to tame that crazy volume on the Blues Deluxe
Frank Levine Fender Blues Deluxe RI. My practice amp is a Kustom Tube 12.
Lionel Oberto JVM 205H
Justin Vigeant Peavey Classic 50 410 & Fender Blues Jr… looking to upgrade to a Dr Z Maz 18 possibly in the upcoming year.
Garrett Haynes Deluxe Reverb Reissue
Anne-Marie Perry Roland Jazz Chorus 120
Ronald Neely II Markbass Little Mark II LE
Kevin Kelsey Peavey Classic 50 410 and a Fender Blues Jr.
T.J. Harris Randall RM50 with Top Boost module (adding a Plexi module soon)
Ron Hostetter Old Fender Stage combo. Love it.
Bryan Aspey Tech 21 Trademark 60
Andrew Johnson Selmer treble n bass sv50 head into old 4×12 cab…

Please feel free to continue the discussion by posting a comment below!

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