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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink What is the best digital echo/delay pedal for a surf sound?

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Hello! I am new here.

I'm looking for a digital pedal because I feel like they'll last longer - I know it would be more 'correct' to go for a tape echo, but tape doesn't last forever.

I'd love to hear what you all think is the best pedal. For the kind of sound I'm looking for, think of The Shadows, songs like Apache or Wonderful Land.

Anyway, I'm sure this topic is probably done to death on this forum. Apologies if you're all sick of this topic - let me know where I can read threads that have already gone over this.

Thank you. X

Strymon El Capistan

Jack
aka WoodyJ

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money
(1978-1990)

I asked Ivan P. once what he was using, and I believe it is (or was then) am El Capistan. I hope I'm not giving away a family secret, but it sounds fantastic.

I still use my Flashback, but I'm not as picky about delay as I am about reverb.

Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Sep 24, 2020 12:07:12

I've never tried the Strymon, but I'm a huge fan of the Catalinbread Belle Epoch.
The pre-amp boost is something you're going to want to leave on all the time!

Paul
Atomic Mosquitos
Bug music for bug people is here!
Killers from Space

Cool! Thank you everyone. I'll check these out.
x

Strymon Volante. Catalinbread Echorec is also very good and is a more affordable option, both of these pedals have the multi-head function that reproduces the type of delay heard in The Shadows, at times a sort of galloping rhythmic sound.

I use the Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe. It's simply incredible. Closest pedal you are ever going to find to a real Echoplex unit. It's a joy and is incredible for slapback stuff, surf tones, rock, surf-punk, etc, etc.

I've been using the El Capistan for several years now and believe it is the best echo for clean, retro, echo. I use a Belle Epoch for dirty echo. I recently added a Belle Epoch Deluxe and an expression pedal which controls many parameters within the BED. I don't have enough time on it to have an opinion but the BED is built to replicate all the function and tone of the EP3 down to the 22 voltage rail output.

The Kahuna Kings

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https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Last edited: Oct 28, 2020 18:04:58

For me, it is a JHS slapback echo+boost pedal and for multi-head type repeats either a Dawner Prince Boonar or the Boss RE-20. I have had both the El Cap and the Volante from Strymon and the Catalinbread Echorec as well as the Dunlop MXR Echoplex and I moved on from them. I have heard good things about the Belle Epoch standard and deluxe versions but have never tried them, myself.

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

Last edited: Oct 28, 2020 23:25:34

Depends on a couple of things:
- Do you want a digital or analogue sound? The latter is more darker with each repeat the first is an exact copy of the original tone.
- Do you need a tap function?

Strymon El Capistan and Catalinbread Belle Epoch are the analog choices, with the Strymon also adding a tap function.

I recently exchanged my Capistan on my board for a TC Electronic Nova Delay. It has a great analoque sound, but also a true digital option. One of the few affordable digital pedals with a tap function. And it isn't as complex as the Capistan. Plus it has a great preset bank. The Capistan was a bit of an headache, the knobs would turn to easily and I made the error to often not to check the settings before a show, ending up with a really terrible sound!

www.alohasluts.com
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From years back, Ivanp recommended the Korg Echo 301dl to me. Graciously, he even sent me a PDF of the owner's manual so I could do the presets.
I liked it so much, I bought a second one as backup.
They're still around at about $100.00

J Mo'

Nocturne Mystery Brain 301?
https://www.thenocturnebrain.com/collections/pedals/products/the-atomic-brain-mini


'65 Fender Tremolux, '74 Princeton; '80 Princeton Reverb
Dr. Z MAZ 18 Jr. + 1x12 Cab
Various Telecasters and noise-making pedals
Farfisa Compact Duo

To add to my thoughts of the El Cap, At first I found this peddle a bit overwhelming as far as the hidden features are concerned. I never use the reverb function and found the sweet spot for all the hidden features. This took some trial and error. I never go back into those leaving just the existing face to work with. This simplifies the entire pedal. I have a generic favorites pedal that I have never used as I have dotted positions with a wax pencil. I feel very comfortable jumping all around the pedal but for my surf settings general I just use the single head mode in the A setting. Tape age and wow and flutter usually barely on. At this point I just dial in the time, mix and repeats. Very simple. I will occasionally use the fixed head mode for incredibly musical slap. This just requires changes to time and repeats. It's a very simple pedal and produces beautiful and lush repeats for surf and and anything clean.

I don't care for the EP3 boosting of the Belles for surf. I find they cut drip and treble. I do use an EP boost and the Belles for all of my non-surf playing through high gain amps. They are tone magic and bypass having to use a overdrive or distortion pedal.

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Last edited: Oct 30, 2020 07:26:50

Edit

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

Last edited: Oct 30, 2020 07:20:28

I like the Belle Epoch a lot but Catalinbread's Adineko is really cool as well. It adds some oscillation and feedback if you want. Really atmospheric and wet.

The Stanley Blue Nebula is purpose built for all of the classic Hank Marvin delay patterns. It also has a great Plate reverb, modeled on Abby Road’s plates.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

I've spent many hours this weekend with my BED and the expression pedal. It's been a simply amazing experience. This combination makes for a whole new way to play an echo device. I've been mainly focused on using the expression pedal to control the echo sustain. It utilizes an echo oscillation switch that puts the echo's into immediate oscillation. I have left that feature on and used the expression pedal to control the echo's from no echo to full oscillation and everything in between. what this does is give you the ability to add a bit more echo sustain at the end of certain notes and back it off as you start the next series. This cleans everything up so that notes step all over each other. Remarkable!

The Kahuna Kings

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447

https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases

I was trying a lot of analogue and digital delays recent years and wasn’t happy with either. This summer I’ve tried this one and was just blown away, now at last I could buy it and really happy. As far as I understood it imitates first digital rack units from the end of 70s with some tweaks and this digital cleanliness with tint of analog warmth is just what I need. Highly recommended! I also got their 4 type in one booster and it is also unbelievable.

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Last edited: Feb 09, 2023 10:10:33

WoodyJ wrote:

Strymon El Capistan

Exactly what I was going to say! You can even get a used one for a pretty decent deal.

--
Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available!

Strymon Deco is pretty good also. I use it for rockabilly.

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