Danelectro DE1 Tape Echo Pedal

Feature:
Well, it doesn't have all the complex features a digital delay might have, like endless repeat, reverse echo, tap tempo, or even set tempo, but how many tape echoes having you seen with all that nonsense? Here its basically four nobs and a switch, the nobs are: Mix - The amount of feedback you get, pretty plain. Speed - The speed of the echo. No numbers or tempo sync here which can be anoying if you want that sycronized echo fade out at the end of a solo, so I simply marked around where the 160, 140, 120 and 80 bpm's where (using a metronome) and problem solved. Repeat - The amount of repeat you get. It can go from a single repeat to a amount which while not endless is defiantly satisfactory. Hi-cut - Which is meant to simulate how the hi's are gradually cut off in a tape echo with each repeat. This is a great feature since you can basically put the repeat to max and the hi-cut to really low and get like an endless trail of echo laying in your wake, while non of it interferes or clashes with what you are currently playing, it's just great. The switch though is a tricky one, its basically supposed to switch you from long delay time to short delay time. On short (or 'lo') you can get it down to only a few milliseconds, making you either sound like your playing in your bathroom or like you haven't noticed the 60's where over. On long (or 'hi') you can get it up to about two-three seconds. My problem with this is switch is that I simply could not find a single repeat speed which sounds good on both settings, I would have really liked it if I coulda gone from like a medium length echo to a long trailing echo in the switch of a switch, but the 'lo' setting is just too limited, and frankly I find myself using it almost never. Another thing worth mention is that (if I'm not mistaken) this unit does not have true bypass, this could have been a worthy addition, but with another 4 effects in chain without I couldn't notice a change in sound quality so I guess this is fogivable.

Quality:
Well I've never really had any problems with is so I guess thats a 10. I would keep a backup, just because I belive you always should, but this seems to be pretty road-worthy.

Value:
As I said before this is probably the best echo effect you can get for around this price.

Desirability:
If you like the design I guess it's kinda 'wantable', and maybe the fact that its trying to be a tape echo adds to that too, or maybe that an anti-want.. I guess you should know if you want it or not.

Sound:
No doubt about it, it just sounds great. Far better then any echo or delay pedal (that I know of) that you can get at these prices. It's got a warm soft feel that's simply charming. Goes especially good with kinda crunchy overdriven 70's leads, but has no problem handling anything from a blazing 80's metal distorted solo to soft clean arpeggios and chords, making them either haunt you or simply caress you with layers and layers of echoey goodness.

Support:
Never had to deal with them, though there site seems kinda short on information.

Overall:
Overall its just great. Great sound, great price, great concept. I guess I will get a different echo one of these because of its lack of "digital" features (as explained in the 'features' segment), but I see no reason of replacing it. It's the tape-echo you've always wanted but never could afford... kinda.

The Hi-Cut knob is great, allowing you to dial in the amount of tape-delay emulation (i.e. it cuts off the top end more and more on each successive repeat) you want. Perfect for '60's psychedelic rock- and if you roll off the Hi-Cut you get a nice "clean" delay besides. Plus a rugged case and cool design- my favorite echo pedal out there . . .