Guitar Gear Forum

Hiya - I'm looking to pick up a delay pedal primarily for use with my church band, where I'm running an SG through my Fender Silverface Pro Reverb. I'll also want to run it through my JCA50H effects loop on occasion.

I've got a line on a used TC Flashback, which looks pretty cool, and has a looper feature that I'm also kind of interested in. I'm wondering how they compare to the other commonly used ones out there, or if any of you can recommend a better alternative. My budget is in the $100 - $130 range.

That's a pretty good delay.

The question with delays is always what kind of sound are you looking for? You're better off with something like an analog carbon copy if you want warm tones but don't need long or infinite loops. The TC does clean delays well, but it's digital and s little sterile as a result.

I have the Flashback X4. I agree that some of the models can be a bit sterile sounding but I like the tape/tube/space/LoFi models. I actually pulled the trigger on the Flashback for those models because...well because they are suited for the type of music I play (tends towards psych, garage, shoegaze). I don't really want pristine repeats. With respect to the tweaking the models to make them less sterile sounding, I have high hopes for the TonePrint Editor - which I have wanted to get my hands on that app since the TonePrint line of pedals was introduced:

http://www.tcelectronic.com/toneprint-editor/

Not sure how to describe just what I'm trying to achieve with delay, but I've been on a hunt to 'widen' my sound a bit. We have an acoustic guitar player in the band that strums the basic chords, and I've been playing more single-note / arpeggio-type stuff, which can tend to get lost. I think what I'm hearing in my head is a series of repeats - kind of like what The Edge does, but also like the versatility of what I'm reading In the TC propaganda. I just want to make sure I'm not setting my expectations too high.

Have either of you used the looper function?

Thanks!

GRIMESPACE wrote:Have either of you used the looper function?

Just to sample it - the pedal is a fairly recent acquisition for me. I have the X4 and the looper on that one is different than on the original/base model FlashBack so any feedback I have on the looper wouldn't be all that helpful if you are looking at the original.

So... the guy I'm talking to is also selling a Small Clone - should I double the NPD?

Can't help on the Small Clone - I've never used one. But...two is better than one. Right? Maybe? Save your cash? I'm no help.

Some of the Edge stuff you need two delays to pull off, sort of getting a ping-pong effect going, and a small clone would be a pretty good complement to the flashback. On the other hand, if you want to get more massive wall of sounding stuff like Bullet the Blue Sky you're better off getting something like a byoc FET preamp clone to go with a delay.

the toneprint editor will be out soon, if you go with the flashback
that's exciting

They're going to make an editor for the toneprints? Pretty cool!

I did wind up getting both the Flashback and Small Clone. Really works great with my old Fender amp.

I used to own one, but I got rid of it. Too many choices on that pedal and none really did it for me. Messed around with some other delays as well, finally settled on an El Capistan.