Getting Slapped by the Echo

[lennon211]

I received a new, even though they're apparently discontinued, Danelectro Reel Echo unit about 3 days ago in the mail. This is one of the effects that I won't go too often without.

I've been delving more and more into 50's era rock, playing my Gretsch '57 Duo-Jet RI and '52 Tele RI a lot. I'd figured out that reverb just wasn't quite doing it for the tracks I'd been working up, so I went in search of this pedal as I was somewhat familiar with it. This pedal is easily one of the most user-friendly and effective pedals that I've ever used. After I received it, I plugged in with a '62 Tennessee Rose RI with Hilo-Trons into a '59 Bassman. WOW! I was immediately impressed with the echo that this pedal produces. I started messing around with the settings and wound up playing for another hour before I realized it. Anyhow, the pedal is very user-friendly and offers some great echo and delay. The controls are very simple, although I was having a little difficulty with the "Sound on Sound" mode. The warble switch is ok in small doses. However, everything else is spot on. It can change modes from simulating a tube or solid state echo unit, provide lo-fi roll off of high frequencies on repeats, and offers different capabilities for timing the delay and echo.

Basically it boils down to this: this pedal is worth it. If you spot one used or a new left over, at least try it out.

[sloop_john_b]

I've always been interested in this one, but it always looked weak to me, especially the buttons.

What do you think, Matt - is she sturdy?

[lennon211]

She certainly seems it. It weighs in at a solid 2.5 pounds. Metal construction all around. The buttons are a lot stiffer than the usual cheap-o Danelectro pedal. Everything seems pretty substantial to me. Kinda reminded me of some of my Vox Cooltrons in how solid it felt.

[whojamfan]

Got one, sounds great, built rock solid. The only thing I don't like about it is you an't adjust the slider on the fly to get those crazy tape delay space ship effects out of it. Versatile unit, , but is quite large. Definitely worth checking out.