What does a guitar delay pedal really do?

guitar delay pedal image

rattleandh

I'm starting to learn the electric guitar, and I don't really understand the delay pedal thing. I thought delay was when you hit a note and the pedal makes it sound like you hit the note, like 3 times in a row. When I went to the Boss website and listened to samples of their delay pedal, it didn't really sound like that, so what does a guitar delay pedal really do???

Answer
Basically, a "straight" delay pedal is just a glorified reverb. It allows you to adjust how long before the "echo" begins and how much depth and volume to give the echo. But you are right you only get one echo.

You need an Echoplex or an "Echo" pedal.
Like this:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-DE7-DelayEcho-Pedal?sku=150292

you'll notice in the picture a knob labeled "Repeat" that's the effect you are thinking of.
I think some delay pedals may be able to do that, but to be sure, you'd want to buy the one I just showed you.
It's actually a pretty good price for an Echo pedal. A lot of them are $200 bucks.

I have a Line 6 practice amp that has a pretty nice echo effect built in.
But if you want the Echo effect get the Ibanez pedal and you can use it as a "Delay" Pedal too, just put the repeat at one repeat and it will be just like the Boss delay. Or turn it up for Pink Floyd!

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