Boss delay minefield?

robgilmo

There are tons of them in the used market, dd2 all the way up to dd8,  for just everyday stuff which one would be best?

tone1

I love my DD-2……and I hate delay pedals….

thomasw88

Dd500.. 

UnclePsychosis

Analogue? DM-2W
Digital? DD7 
Need presets? Dd-200

Stratavarious

DD7 covers all the bases. Nice Analogue mode.  Add a tap switch for gigs.

Gassage

MIJ long chip DD2. 

soma1975

So in summary all of them.

Sporky

soma1975 said:

So in summary all of them.

Yes. So RE-20. 

EricTheWeary

Of the single box DD series I think there's been the 2,3,3T (tap tempo), 5 (never seen one in the flesh), 6, 7 and 8. They can all be used as straightforward three knob delays. The 7 and 8 have additional voicings (the 8 does a lot of stuff) such as analog style as some people can find straight digital delay a bit harsh. To buy new it’s the 3T or 8. 

The DM2 which was a classic analog delay which new would be the DM2W. The DM isn’t as dark sounding as many analogue delays and is very simple so if you are looking at Boss only I’m sure it would be fine but these are older pedals now and they are an early 1980s design with a relatively short maximum delay time, although probably fine for most stuff. The DM2W adds a longer, brighter mode and new costs little more than a used DM2. 

Oh and the RE-2 but that’s maybe a more specialist option. And the TE2 which was an ambient echo thingy and the least likely option for you I would think. Probably something else I’ve missed somewhere (Edit: the DM3, never seen one but YouTube wanted me to look at one).

In bigger boxes there’s the complex DD500, DD200, DD20(long since discontinued but had a lot of love and might be worth keeping an eye out for a used bargain), RE202 (more of a specialist option I guess) and RE20 (also discontinued but had a lot of love and like the other REs I’m guessing it’s  not what you want). Oh the Boss DM101 big box, expensive analog thing. Phew…
Edit: dammit, Boss SDE3000D. Big, digital delay thingy. I don’t really know what it does, will go watch a demo.

Gassage said:

MIJ long chip DD2. 

The DD2s and early DD3s had a different chip than later models which apparently is less harsh, more desirable and therefore these pedals are attracting higher prices. 

soma1975 said:

So in summary all of them.

Yep, so probably whichever you can get a decent deal on. The DD3 is the bog standard delay pedal that sold by the millions and the one most likely to turn up at non silly prices on eBay/Reverb/here. The new version is the DD3T but they are pretty similar so one of those might turn up used. 
The DM2W has been around a few years now so I think that would be the other one to look for although more expensive than the DD3. Basic three knob delay but you can have the custom mode for a slight difference in sound and longer delay times. You can also use an expression pedal for delay times if at some future point you want to get a bit wackier.




[Boss don't usually do 4s as that's an unlucky number in Japan, they only ever made one the PQ4 (parametric eq).]

digitalkettle

Everyone always had a Boss DD-something on their board...over the years, as function has generally been added Boss have got up to the DD-8. Its essence is a nice clean digital delay with a 'mode' switch for different flavours, e.g. analog, tape, etc.

Everything else is a larger form-factor and/or a specialised delay...except the DD-3T which is a nostalgic reissue.

You can't go wrong with a DD-something. If you found a used DD-7, you'd be winning.

robgilmo

Thanks guys, I will keep an eye out, EBay prices seem silly for Boss delays compared to the rest of the world.

Keefy

I wouldn’t say Boss delays are a minefield, because I don’t think there is a bad one. It’s just a matter of finding one that you get along with.

Lestratcaster

DD3 is the industry standard, though I like my DD6. Haven’t used the others so can’t really comment.

maltingsaudio

My tuppence is avoid anything with a tap tempo to start with because you’ll never use it . Likewise any pedal with stacked control knobs just a pain in the fingers if your going to tweak it whilst your playing. DD2or 3 great place to start keep it simple!

chrisj1602

DD-3 for me, but I do like the DD-200. It has options without being complicated.

digitalkettle

Whereas, I can't remember the last time I dialled-in a delay time without tapping!

OP, it doesn't have to be a Boss pedal...I've been gigging with a (now discontinued) Diamond ML Jr for years.

english_bob

Depends what features you need. "Everyday stuff" means different things to different players.

I've had a few of them:

DD3- sounds really good, but is *just* a digital delay. Not a very long maximum delay time (but more than enough for most common types of delay), no tap tempo, no tone control, no bells, whistles and definitely no kitchen sink. Very basic, next to useless "looper" that can hold 800ms.

DD5- didn't sound as good as the DD3 but *does* have tap tempo (either press and hold the footswitch or attach an external footswitch). Still no tone control, still no useful looper. Nice reverse mode. 

DD20- Lots of delay time (23 seconds!). 4 presets. Basic but useable looper. Different delay types, tap tempo, special effects (warp, twist, hold etc). Clicky knob for delay time means you can't do spaceship noises, although warp and twist effects compensate for this a little.

DD500- Spendy. Massively versatile, deep, deep editing (although it involves a lot of menu diving). Everything the DD3/5/20 can do and more. MIDI, PC editing. Clicky wheel delay time knob again, so still no spaceship noises, although if you can get your head around it you can make it make all sorts of other mad noises.

maltingsaudio

digitalkettle said:

Whereas, I can't remember the last time I dialled-in a delay time without tapping!

OP, it doesn't have to be a Boss pedal...I've been gigging with a (now discontinued) Diamond ML Jr for years.

Yup there’s always one!! Bet it took you a long time to get fluent with it, I’ve tried in the past and just doesn’t work for me on a pedal, yet use it all the time when I’m mixing.

distressed

maltingsaudio said:

My tuppence is avoid anything with a tap tempo to start with because you’ll never use it .

I use it 99% of the time. Apart from slapback effect, it sounds pretty ugly when repeats don't follow the beat.

english_bob

soma1975 said:

So in summary all of them.

This. Picking a Boss delay isn't what I'd describe as a "minefield"- to me that implies that you might potentially make a bad choice.

If you buy a Boss delay, it will be good. None of them are bad, AFAIK, they just might not do all the things you need (or do too much, I guess). If you don't like it you'll be able to sell it on easily at a decent price.

Musicman20

ALLLLL of them. But if if was just one, I'd get the DD8.