Discover the best guitar delay pedals with this review of the top 5 options.
Imagine this:
You’re playing a solo, and your guitar sound is soaring through the air.
But then, something magical happens. Your notes start to repeat themselves, but not in a boring way.
They start to dance and swirl around you, creating a lush and immersive soundscape.
That’s the power of the delay pedal. It’s like having a time machine for your guitar, allowing you to create echoes of your own playing that can be manipulated and transformed in endless ways.
Delay pedals are some of the most versatile and inspiring guitar effects pedals on the market.
They can be used to add subtle depth and texture to your playing or to create wild and experimental soundscapes.
If you’re looking for a way to take your guitar playing to the next level, a delay pedal is a must-have.
In this article, we’ll review five of the best delay pedals for guitar this year, covering a range of prices and features.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s a delay pedal on this list that’s perfect for you.
You can’t argue with TC Electronic. They know how to make a darn good delay pedal, and the Flashback is proof positive. This ace-sounding pedal contains some of the most legendary delay sounds around.
Classic TC 2290 delay, ping pong, analog, and tape delay are just a few of the 11 high-quality delays you’ll get in this pedal.
Save yourself time by using the handy TonePrint feature, which lets you import custom-made sounds by a bunch of famous guitarists.
Practice your solos and melody playing over chord progressions and unleash your inner creative player using the Flashback’s 40-second looper.
Useful. Get studio-quality sounds and solid build quality in this one small stompbox delay. We feel that anyone serious about guitar effects pedals needs a TC Electronic on their board. The Flashback is a great place to start.
Best Bits
- 11 delay types including looper – expansive delay options from subtle repeat to total time-warp
- Tap tempo – set delay times by picking or strumming your guitar
- TonePrint technology gives you instant access to custom pedal sounds made by top guitarists
- 40-second looper with infinite sound on sound recording
- Analog-Dry-Through circuitry helps preserve the analogue tone
- Spillover on/off switch gives you super-smooth and natural transitions between sounds
- Delay Time, Feedback, and FX Level controls
- 6 seconds delay
Power: 9V battery (included) and DC Adaptor (sold separately).
You’ll love: The clever way the TonePrint feature works via computer or the free app. Simply choose the sound you want, hold your phone next to your pickup and bang…it goes straight into the pedal.
You might not dig: Tap tempo used on the fly can be tricky because the pedal doesn’t mute straight away.
From bedroom noodler to touring session guitarist, guitar players trust and respect Boss for a reason: They make blooming great guitar pedals.
The upgraded DD-8 Delay pedal won’t disappoint these expectations. The compact and robust DD-8 will make your guitar sing, thanks to its modulation mode for a chorus-like delay and classic analog delay mode. It’s also easy and user-friendly to get your head around.
The pedal’s stereo outputs let you go wild with stereo effects, such as left-to-right sweep panning.
Couple this feature with the nifty 40-second looper, and imagine the immense layers of sounds you can create—the perfect excuse to get lost in your guitar playing.
The Boss DD-8 is great fun, sturdy, and not too expensive. In other words, it’s a real winner.
Best Bits
- Modulation Delay mode with chorus-type delay sound
- Analog Delay mode with classic rounded BOSS DM-2 analog delay sound
- Upgraded delay time of up to 6.4 seconds
- Loop function with 40 sec record time
- Delay time, feedback, and effect level can be controlled via external expression pedal (sold separately)
- Tap tempo controlled by external foot switch
- Durable and quality build construction
Power: 9V battery (included) and DC Adaptor (sold separately).
You’ll love: The bomb-proof build quality Boss is known for.
You might not dig: An extra foot switch is needed to use the tap tempo feature.
With its straightforward layout and ability to fine-tune delay times within the millisecond, the Vox StompLab pedal is an excellent buy if you’re after your first delay pedal.
The best part is that the tap tempo feature is right there on the first integrated footswitch so that you can sync your delay with your playing.
The StompLab is much more than just a delay pedal; you get a vast 103 types of modelling effects, including modulation, delay and reverb options, which means replicating that delay sound from your favourite guitar parts will be a breeze.
The StompLab pedal also lets you edit and save 20 of your own user programs so that you can customize your sound to your liking.
Best Bits
- Combine Loop and Delay effects simultaneously
- 120 memory slots with 20 editable
- 44 amp emulations
- Modelling of vintage delay effects such as analogue BBD devices and tape echo
- Rugged enough to use on stage
- Super low price tag
Power: AA battery x 4 and DC Adaptor.
You’ll love: The famous song presets included. Plug in and play away.
You might not dig: Some users have moaned about the manual being rubbish.
The Electro-Harmonix Memory Boy is an analogue delay pedal inspired by the legendary 1970s Memory Man pedal, and it delivers lush, juicy delay tones.
The Edge’s most iconic delay sounds, heard in “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” were created by the Memory Man. You can achieve similar sounds with the more affordable Memory Boy.
Electro-Harmonix’s effects are often inspired by famous musicians and popular songs, so you may recognize some of the sounds when experimenting with them.
With just four controls (delay, depth, blend, and feedback), using this pedal is a breeze. You can easily switch between Vibrato and Chorus modulation rates to create unique delay effects that range from rockabilly to psychedelic.
And if you want even more control over your sound, simply add an external footswitch to adjust the delay time and mod rate.
Best Bits
- All analog delay with Feedback
- Up to 550ms delay time
- Selectable Chorus or Vibrato modulation rates
- Choose between triangle or square modulation waveforms
- Expression pedal control of delay time or modulation rate (expression pedal extends the range of modulation rate)
- Robust industrial-like appearance
Power: 9V battery and DC Adaptor (included).
You’ll love: The characteristic dark and depraved delay sounds.
You might not dig: Limited delay time compared to some other similar-priced pedals.
If you’re after a warm analogue delay sound that’s simple to use, the MXR Carbon Copy is your pedal.
It has a tiny footprint, is cheap as chips to boot and has an impressive 600ms of delay time for you to have fun with.
The Carbon Copy can create a bunch of different effects. You can get that classic rock sound with the slapback echo or switch it up with some rhythmic repeats.
The best part is that it’s all analogue, so it has that warm, authentic feel. Plus, it looks unique with its gorgeous dark green spark finish.
The Carbon Copy is not only visually appealing but also produces a great sound. It’s a winning combination.
Best Bits
- Pure warm analogue delay
- Up to 600 milliseconds of delay time
- Modulation controls emulate tape echo tones
- True bypass with bright led
- Controls for delay time, mix (dry/wet blend), and regen (delay repeats), optional modulation via a top-mounted switch
- Controls: Mod switch, Delay time, Mix, Regen
- Small and compact size
Power: 9V battery and DC Adaptor.
You’ll love: The warm vintage analogue tones other digital delay pedals struggle to achieve.
You might not dig: The power input is in an annoyingly close place to the 1/4 inch jack input, meaning it could potentially be tricky to place on your pedal board.
Summing it Up
So, you can improve your guitar sound and lose yourself in hours of playing fun by getting a delay pedal off this list.
You don’t need any more reasons to justify adding one of the most inspiring guitar effects pedals to your gear list. Just go for it. We salute your good taste.
