The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Equipment: MXR Carbon Copy is possibly better than RE-20

MXR Carbon Copy is possibly better than RE-20

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- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 7:17 p.m. wenzel:

I loved the RE-20, but what I learned to dislike over time was the coloring of my tone. I started playing a while with no effects and the guitar seemed to sound better. I thought it was all in my head, so I hooked up the RE-20 and BAMM! The guitar was tone was colored again. It makes the tone more shrill and bright sounding. That's at least the best way I could describe it. Then it had added noise or buzz/humm when the effect was disengaged.

So, I read some good reviews on the GDP about the carbon copy and it sounds to my ears more like a real tape echo, even though it's not one. It is analog and has a hard wired true bypass system, so your clean tone is the normal tone of your guitar and the engaged tone doesn't jump in volume or EQ frequencies either way. I was playing around with it and it really sounds a lot like the Shadows guitar tone. When I added my blues deluxe's new 3 spring reverb and shortened the delay to a slap it was pure Dick Dale surfer heaven!

I don't want people to believe me, go try one out for yourself. Another plus is that I got it for $120. That's over half off of the RE-20. It's analog and sounds great. I imagine that when they stop making this pedal that it will become a collectors item and well sought after.

Anyway, I just wanted to share. Anyone interested in a sound demo?

Here's what musicians friend has to say about it.

Analog pedal with time-tested tone and flexible settings in an amazingly compact package.

The MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay Pedal features a completely analog audio path for the ultimate in rich, warm delay-made possible only by old-school bucket brigade technology. This design boasts an amazing 600ms of delay time with optional modulation via a top-mounted switch and a simple, three-knob layout that controls Delay time, Mix (dry/wet blend), and Regen (delay repeats)-all in a pedal no bigger than a Phase 90. In addition, the M169 pedal has two internal trim pots that offer user-adjustable width and rate control of the modulation for even more tonal options. The Carbon Copy effect pedal will take you from crisp "bathroom" slap echoes to epic, Gilmour-esque delays with a twist of a knob. True hardwire bypass, single 9-volt operation, and stage-ready blue LEDs round out the package.

MXR M169 Carbon Copy Analog Delay Guitar Effects Pedal Features:

Analog audio path Extremely compact 600ms delay time Controls: Mod switch, Delay time, Mix, Regen True hardwire bypass 9-volt operation Blue LEDs
- Rated: 212 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 7:36 p.m. Proteus:

Guy at my local guitar store just put one on his board, and he swears by it. I have trouble believing a great delay in such a small box, but that's just prejudice...

I've been wanting to add an RE-20, but this will be worth a listen to. (And either will have to prove it has anything to offer I don't already get from the DD-20.)
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:21 p.m. wenzel:

The way the delays repeat and get darker and more analog is something that the RE-20 seems to lack. I have messed with the internal flutter and wow knobs yet, but straight out of the box even the "mod" switch sounded cool. It gave it that chorus effect that I sometimes liked in the danelectro reel echo, but this is way better quality of sound IMO. The mod knob doesn't really sound like chorus, it's more like that out of tunish thing that sometimes you hear from tape echo's. The best way I can describe the sound is pure "Shadows". It's simply delicious sounding compared. Not to say the RE-20 sounds bad at all, but there were things I didn't like about it and this "small package" really offers some groovy sounds baby!
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:37 p.m. Brandon02:

I like my Carbon Copy. I use it for a slapback. I have been thinking about getting an actual Roland Space Echo, but I keep thinking with all the moving parts something will go wrong with it that may not be able to be fixed.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:39 p.m. wenzel:

Brandon, if you like the carbon copy, I'd stick with it. Try one out in a store before you buy. The RE-20 does have some cool oddball repeat patterns, but they aren't that useful really. Just my $.02
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:52 p.m. Brandon02:

Actually wenzel, the Roland Space Echo's I was thinking about were the tape echo's, like the RE-150, 201, or 301.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:53 p.m. dignan:

Oh, I've been terribly interested in the Carbon Copy... but will it make me stop crying in my beer for ditching that Maxon AD-80?
- Rated: 56 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:55 p.m. otterbean:

The MXR Carbon Copy has been on my wish list for a long time. That is what I asked my wife to buy me for Christmas this year. Hopefully she will remember.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 8:58 p.m. wenzel:

Brandon, duh. My bad, I didn't realize you were talking about an actual tape echo. lol

dignan, I don't know? I've personally never tried the Maxon. I'd say that if it's close to a Memory Man that, yes, you'll like it better.

Otterbean, do you want me to bring mine down to LA so you can try it out? I hope you get one for Christmas!

Chris
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 9:00 p.m. roadjunkie:

If I make the Jam next month I'll bring that SPF Intersate 5 and see what you think of it! I had it with me in Nashville but it sat forgotten about in a corner of the barn.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 9:22 p.m. wenzel:

In a corner of the tick ridden barn? You may have to check the internal workings to make sure it's not infested with ticks...

Yeah, bring it! I hope you can come out... I'll also bring the carbon copy and see what you think of it as well.
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 9:42 p.m. roadjunkie:

Ah! I think the 3 ticks that got me were from the night we were branding those plaques. They were so small I never noticed them until I got home. I think the barn was ok unless that owl chasing maniac dragged them back!
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 9:58 p.m. wenzel:

RJ, what did you do with the branding irons?
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 10:12 p.m. roadjunkie:

That's when we burned those G-brands into those plaques. Proteus should still have the iron since he's the one to have it made up. There were pics posted thoughout that Nashville thread.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 11:13 p.m. otterbean:

My hearts already set on the MXR Wenzel. You don't have to bring it along for the ride. Of course, if you have room in the luggage, I could give it a whirl. There aren't any of those in local shops as far as I know.
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 11:21 p.m. wenzel:

Otter, I'l bring it, don't worry...

RJ, What do you mean Proteus made it? I want one. I remember seeing the thread, but I recall reading that he made them? That's awesome!
- Rated: 40 ↑
Sep 5, 2008 11:30 p.m. roadjunkie:

His brother made them in his shop. If Tim was a really good business man he'd send one out with every tru-arc bar bridge sold!
- Rated: 30 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 12:08 a.m. Wishinfora(nother)Falcon:

Hey Wenzel, I thought you were giving up pedals altogether? I knew you couldn't do it!!
- Rated: 115 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 7:23 a.m. wenzel:

I was, but I still need slapback! I sometimes use the Proco Deucetone a volume pedal and a tuner pedal. That's it though.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 8:06 a.m. ruger9:

I've owned both. I think it's apples and oranges... the CC is a good analog delay with some modulation. The RE-20 is a digital simulation of a tape delay, and has the ability to do multi-head delays.

That being said, the RE-20 DOES color your tone, the CC does not. And if all you need is 1 repeat, the CC does that as well as the RE-20.

I sold the RE-20 due to the tone coloring. If it didn't do that, I'd still have it, because it sounded great otherwise.

I sold the CC because I prefer my AD-999 for analog delays.

If Boss decided to fix the buffer (or maube it's the ADDA conversion?) in the RE-20, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 1:09 p.m. J(esse James)D:

That's why "loopers" were invented.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 1:10 p.m. BigA:

I just bought one of these from MF. They had a good deal on a "scratch-and-dent" item.

Unfortunately it showed up and didn't work properly.

Fortunately, they're sending me a brand new one at the blem price!

The broken one is on the way back now - looking forward to getting one that works!
- Rated: 11 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 1:40 p.m. g6120:

ive got a few effects units including a RE-20 that i toy with from time to time but for most of my guitar playing i always go back to just a fender tube reverb unit that goes directly into a fender amp .

g6120
- Rated: 22 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 1:49 p.m. gretschiam:

Sounds good to me. I'll go get one Monday or Tuesday. With the Holy Grail I picked up on Proteus' recommendation, it ought to be just what I was looking for to go with an old Princeton amp I have.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Sep 6, 2008 5:06 p.m. ruger9:

J(esse James)D wrote: "That's why "loopers" were invented. "

No. That's not what we're talking about. It changes the tone when it's ENGAGED. We're not talking about a bad bypass here. And the RE-20 doesn't really have a "bypass" anyway. It's always on, even when the effect is off: the level control functions regardless.