The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Equipment: Which Echo to get

Which Echo to get

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- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 3:30 p.m. Brandon02:

I'm looking at getting a new echo/delay pedal. I currently own a Visual Sounds H2O Chorus and Echo pedal. I'm trying to decide between two pedals, the Boss RE-20 Space Echo and the MXR Carbon Copy analog delay. Has anyone here used either of these?
- Rated: 114 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 4:11 p.m. wenzel:

RE-20 is awesome!!! Try one if you can. It's all I use now.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 6:09 p.m. Brandon02:

I don't know if any of the stores around my area has an RE-20. The closest GC or Sam Ash is an hour drive. I would like to try one out.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 7:50 p.m. david^5:

I've had both and liked the Carbon Copy way more. That's just my opinion though and I also never really NEEDED all the functions of the RE20. If you're going to actually use them, then its rad, I didn't so I got rid of it.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 8:02 p.m. RockinBones:

I've got the MXR Carbon Copy and like it. I use it pretty much only for slap back, and it sounds great. I'm sure the RE-20 is great also, especially if you want to emulate a tape echo, but I personally just didn't see the need to spend another $100 bucks for the tape sound. My two and a half cents.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 9:06 p.m. Brandon02:

I'm leaning more towards buying the Carbon Copy becuase of the price. I've been watching demo videos on YouTube and like the sound of both, but I don't need both.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 9:17 p.m. Brandon02:

Does the Carbon Copy come with an A/C adapter?
- Rated: 2 ↑
Jun 30, 2008 2:45 a.m. david^5:

No. Just a 9v.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Jun 30, 2008 5:51 a.m. noelweller:

I am a fan of the Marshall Echohead. It has differant settings, Digital, analog,tape and reverse. I use the tape all the time, and I find for the price of 75 dollars it sounds great.

Don't feel the need to drop a butt load of money on a re-20. if you can get the sound the same sound from something alot cheaper.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 30, 2008 4:20 p.m. Brandon02:

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- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 30, 2008 4:21 p.m. Brandon02:

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Jun 30, 2008 4:21 p.m. Brandon02:

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- Rated: 6 ↑
Jun 30, 2008 4:22 p.m. Brandon02:

I ordered a Carbon Copy and a Dunlop adaptor for it today. I should get it on Wednesday or Thrusday.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 5:51 a.m. ruger9:

I had an RE-20, Carbon Copy, AD999, and Echo Park side-by-side.

I sold the RE-20. I don't like the buffer... it changes the base tone just a little, has something to do with the really high (or low?) input impedence. Most people can't hear it apparently, I can & don't like it. otherwise, the RE-20 rocked. If the buffer issue wasn't a problem for me, it would have been a keeper.

The CC is a great, cheap, analog delay. But it can't hold a candle to the 999, so off it goes.

The Echo Park does a pretty convincing tape delay, and I got it to sound almost exactly like the RE-20 (on single repeats, the EP doesn't really do the multi-head thing like the RE-20 does). I kept it for it's digital delay power tho.

The AD999 is the king of analog delays for a reason. And sometime soon Maxon will be releasing a "multi-head"(multi-tap) version, with 3 "heads" that you can turn on or off.

Between the CC & RE-20, as cool as the RE20 is, I can't handle the buffer. The CC is true bypass & therefore I would have to pick the CC if chosing between the 2. But I'd never really be happy unless I had an AD999.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 3:17 p.m. ADR:

Re-20 is great device.

If anything, I think that Boss got the preamp on the RE-20 a little too bright. The real items roll off a bit more high end.

True/buffer bypass is tertiary consideration in my books. I listen to the end result. And I love what a real roland does for my tone.

IMO, the money for a maxon is better spent on a real tape echo. The RE-20 (at 2 bills street price) treads that thin ice of "maybe I should spend the extra bill and get a RE-150." The only thing against a real tape echo is care and portability. But the sound is the BEST!

I got the RE-20 mainly cuz of curiosity, and portability. It's a great gigging box. I'm also devising a foot-switchable box for the RE-20 that will toggle between two adjustable preset delays (but with no mods to the RE-20 needed!), adding the missing functionality that I require. (I can never tap tempo my slapback if I've tapped in a longer delay time.)
- Rated: 25 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 4:06 p.m. Scott:

That sounds like a good idea ADR. I know I have to turn around and reach down to change settings on my RE-20(since I keep my pedalboard close to my amp...don't like 'em underfoot). I'm sure the audience enjoys the view of my ass in mid-air for those few seconds!

Let us know how it turns out.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 4:30 p.m. ADR:

I'm sure the audience enjoys the view of my ass in mid-air for those few seconds!

That's what I dislike doing too.

It will use the expression pedal out on the RE-20. (This way, one can keep the RE-20 on top of the amp head, but have the footswitch on the ground). It'll be simple enough to build, but I've just got a STACK of stuff that needs to get done first... a stack that is turning GREEN!
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 6:30 p.m. ruger9:

ADR wrote: "True/buffer bypass is tertiary consideration in my books. I listen to the end result. And I love what a real roland does for my tone. "

I agree. I use a line buffer, so true byapss, in & of itself, isn't a "litmus test" for me at all. But there's something funny going on with the RE-20 input impedence/buffer- I notice a distinct loss of highs, especially on the wound strings (they seem to be "softened"), and I really don't like something messing with my base tone. I hear it, others may not, but my opinion is what counts if I'm the one who has to have it on their pedalboard! :)

The RE-20 is a neat machine, that I actually would have LOVED if it didn't change my base tone.
- Rated: 25 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 7:48 p.m. Scott:

I can agree with what you're saying ruger9. My difference is I actually like the extra "grease"(for lack of a better term) I get from the RE-20. I like the slight high-end roll off that I hear, because a lot of times it seems my Gretsches can get a little "ice-picky"...maybe my ears are just getting older along with the rest of me. Of course I can still compensate at the amp, either raising or lowering treble as needed.

After this past weekend's show I was thinking about swapping out for a smaller delay, in the process switching to a smaller easier to carry pedalboard. But last night while trying out several delays I have here at the house I came to the conclusion that for my needs onstage I can't do without the RE-20.

Your trash is my treasure I guess. Not the best analogy I know, but "different strokes" has been used to death...Cheers
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 2, 2008 5:57 a.m. ruger9:

I feel the same way about ice-pickyness. I've gone to great lengths to get rid of it (pickup adjustments, Weber Beam Blockers, etc.) I'm always on alert for the "nails thru the cranium" tones, they hurt. :)

As far as "grease" goes, the AD999 has TONS of it- that's why I love it so much... the repeats are darker & slightly distorted, sort of like old tape I guess. But the Maxon doesn't change my base tone at all. The RE20 was also wonderfully greasy, but I can be a bit anal about things changing my tone, that's all.

I can't wait for the AD999 Pro with multi-taps to be released... it'll cost a mint, but it'll be sooooo coooool.....
- Rated: 19 ↑
Jul 2, 2008 7:40 p.m. Vinkie:

I love the RE-20 for it's multitapped delays which sounds more lively and random in a good way to me. I have tested the Carbon Copy and while it sounds good I found it a bit to straightforward because it's just a single delay. It oscillates well and has a beautiful wide sound. I prefer settings with treble rolled of a bit. I used to own a RE501 so I feel right at home with the RE20.

The buffer does have a sound on it's own, mine is in a footswitchable TBP loop so it doesn't bother me.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 7:01 p.m. Brandon02:

I got my Carbon Copy yesterday and it sounds great. I don't know if I really like the modulation button or not. I think I might get an RE-20 down the road, but right now the Carbon Copy is good enough.
- Rated: 12 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 9:52 a.m. atomicwash:

Brandon, I agree with you on the mod button. I haven't found a good use for it. I haven't tweaked the pot inside yet - maybe that will make it a little more subtle for slower songs.

I set the regen at 8:30 and the delay at 9:30 for my slapback. The mix is usually around 10 or 11, depending on the room. The manual's suggested setting for slapback was crap.

I've been very happy with this delay. I've simplified my pedal board to the CC, an MXR Microamp, and a Boss tuner. It's been really nice having this setup. I was tired of hauling the larger board around, plus I think it forces me to play better. :)
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 8:52 p.m. Brandon02:

I didn't look at the manual when I was setting my knobs. I just kind of played around until I found a sound I liked. I'm using a simple board with my Bassman. I'm running a Boss tuner, Boss Super Overdrive, Boss Metal Zone (for 70's rock), and the Carbon Copy.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Jul 8, 2008 4:01 p.m. teleharmonium:

ruger9, could you elaborate on the comparison between the Maxon and the MXR Carbon Copy ?

I am looking at the CC because I love a good modulation delay sound and that pedal seems to be well regarded, is not overly large or expensive, and is analog with the modulation feature. Of course if the sound quality is not great, it's a non starter.

The only other choices I am aware of which are analog with modulation are the Jacques Prisoner, and the Diamond Memory Lane. The ML is expensive and large and requires 18V DC meaning I would have to use a dedicated wall wart just for that pedal - and I HATE wall warts - or get a dedicated power supply (might be able to use the one I already have, which is a wall wart that is velcro'd to a power strip which lives on my board) and a special cable to use 2 of my 9v slots. But, the ML seems to sound great based on clips and it has more control over the modulation compared to the MXR or the Jacques as well as more features generally.