Boss: Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 12:48 AM

As infrequently as I actually put them to use, I must admit that I enjoy tinkering with effets pedals sometimes. I had heard that the tremolo effect built into the Boss: Fender Deluxe Reverb Pedal was very good so I used that as a way to rationalize this purchase. It arrived today, in good shape and looking like new (even though it was sold as "used"). I plugged it into my One Spot adapter and let fly.

When I took it out of the box all of the controls were set at 5 so that's where I started. On this setting there was deep tremolo, a lot of reverb and some very healthy amounts of overdrive. The default speed for the trem was pretty fast and I didn't want to enter the tap-tempo right off the bat so I turned that to zero and concentrated on the rest of the features.

The reverb is quite nice but seems to have some strange behaviors if it's turned too high. I've heard of this problem before and, by gum, the rumors are true in this case. It's a great sounding reverb but if you turn it much past 3 or 4 its digital character comes through. Pity.

The overdrive is one of the more convincing examples I've ever heard. Many overdrive pedals have that "I'm a fuzz box" sound, sort of an all or nothing feel to the overdrive. This pedal is the only pedal I've ever played that behaved like the natural overdrive of an amp being pushed into breakup. IMO, they did a good job of capturing both the sound and the behavior of a Deluxe Reverb breaking up.

I did revisit the tremolo using the tap tempo feature. Like any such device it may take a while to adapt but I think it will be more than adequate for my tremolo needs.

Overall, I'd have to give the pedal and 8 out of 10. As an overdrive pedal it's hard to beat. The fact that it can do tremolo and do it well allows this pedal to replace both an overdrive pedal and a tremolo pedal. The disappointing feature is the reverb and it's not bad, just limited to lower settings. If you plan on using this pedal for a surf reverb source you might want to try before you buy. Still, all-in-all it's well worth the price and the real estate that it consumes on a pedal board.

araT · July 3rd, 2009, 01:03 AM

Very cool Mark! thanks for the great review!

sounds like a great pedal, despite it's minor flaws & I hope it brings you many hours of joy!

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by araT

Very cool Mark! thanks for the great review!

sounds like a great pedal, despite it's minor flaws & I hope it brings you many hours of joy!

Thanks. I hope to build a pedal board I can live with, reliable, inexpensive and adequate. I wouldn't be surprised if when all is said and done I end up with an ME-70 multi-effects unit.

Amaryllis · July 3rd, 2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro

..well worth [...] the real estate that it consumes on a pedal board.

Synchro - Thank for this review. Comes just to the right time, as I plan to get a reverb pedal, and this was on my list. And, moreover, your review exactly recognizes the key-indicator for me: Is it worth th real estate on the pedal board... Thanks!

Squeaker · July 3rd, 2009, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro

Still, all-in-all it's well worth the price and the real estate that it consumes on a pedal board.

Excellent news!

That would allow me enough space to squeeze (no pun intended) the compressor onto the board. Now to find one...

Crooner · July 3rd, 2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeaker

Excellent news!

That would allow me enough space to squeeze (no pun intended) the compressor onto the board. Now to find one...

Let me put my vote in for the new JangleBox 2 compressor. If you've never heard one go to their website and listen to some of the many sound clips. It's definitely a specialized compressor as it re-creates the super chimey tone of the Beatles and the Byrds. It works as both a compressor and a clean boost but its unique tone is one of a kind. They recently released the second version of the pedal, keeping all of the cool features but adding a bit more conventional compressor features to make it a bit more versatile. It is definitely the next stomp box I will buy.

http://www.janglebox.com/janglebox_o...=29&category=6

jb2full.jpg

Sunshine · July 3rd, 2009, 05:40 AM

Thanks for the very good review, Mark! I've been searching a tremolo pedal and looking this FDR-1. I've been also looking new FRV-1. I'm trying to find a good "surf sound". I also have been looking "Van Amps Sole-Mate" as a partner to my Vox AC4TV. But it seems to be a hard work to find decent tremolo/reverb combination. Unless you pay thousands. Any recommendations guys?

Pappy · July 3rd, 2009, 06:29 AM

How does the overdrive compare to the Seymour Duncan twin tube classic?

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappy

How does the overdrive compare to the Seymour Duncan twin tube classic?

It's not quite as versatile. It's a great overdrive but it's modeled after the sound of a DR cranked up. A great sound, but only one of many great sounds.

Scott · July 3rd, 2009, 09:00 AM

Yeah, the OD's not quite up to snuff compared to the Twin Tube, but it doesn't actually have preamp tubes in it, as the Twin Tube does. I quit using my TT for just the reason Mark mentioned...real estate. It's a big sucker, just like the Boss RE-20; I decided I wanted to go with a smaller simpler kinder gentler pedalboard.

I bought my FDR-1 off dafreeze a few weeks back, and my observations are on par with Synchro's. However I will mention this: to anyone that's been trying to use tremolo in recent years, a lot of the tremolo pedals available give you options such as a squared or triangled signal...the FDR-1 won't do all that. It does a tremolo like the old Fender Deluxe Reverb was equipped with. And it takes some getting acquainted with the tremolo control...it's just one knob, and as best I can remember that knob only controls tremolo speed...no control for depth. I guess it's preset and that's what you get. But the way it's set up is quite useable. I can dial in the trem along with a nice slightly driven sound(gain set straight up 12 o'clock) and play "Voodoo Cadillac" or "Camel Walk" by Southern Culture on the Skids...sounds almost like Rick Miller does on the CD!

The reverb is something I would use in limited doses. I turn mine up to only about 8:30(probably like turning it up to 2 on an amp)...sounds good there. Turn it up a little further there it gets kinda harsh and unpleasant to me. But a good basic reverb for someone like me. If I was playing surf and needed healthy doses of reverb I wouldn't rely on this unless the stage you're working is limited in real estate(and there's a lotta those out there!).

So far I haven't gigged with this pedal...not yet. I play a Mesa Boogie Mark I onstage so this pedal isn't really needed(unless I need tremolo, and it hasn't been called for yet). But I can see using it in the future if I decide to do a gig with my '72 Super Reverb or my '97 Holland Gibb Droll...both very clean amps(and the Holland is like a Bassman; no reverb or tremolo).

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

It does a tremolo like the old Fender Deluxe Reverb was equipped with. And it takes some getting acquainted with the tremolo control...it's just one knob, and as best I can remember that knob only controls tremolo speed...no control for depth. I guess it's preset and that's what you get. But the way it's set up is quite useable.

The knob actually controls depth while the tempo can be tapped in. You have to step on the pedal and hold it down for 2 seconds, then the light flashes alternately from red to green. At that point you can tap in a tempo.

dafreeze · July 3rd, 2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

...getting acquainted with the tremolo control...it's just one knob, and as best I can remember that knob only controls tremolo speed...no control for depth. I guess it's preset and that's what you get.

Scott, if I remember right that knob has 2 functions, both speed and intensity. To adjust one of those that knob must be held in for a few seconds. The little manual should spell it out.

Scott · July 3rd, 2009, 10:04 AM

Dave, that knob is a concentric knob...the outer skirt of that knob is for the reverb.

But Mark hit the nail on the head. I read all that in the instructions and decided I don't care to mess with that. I found a nice tremolo setting I like, ala Duane Eddy but a little faster, so I just leave it there. I never cared for tap tempo anything because unless you work with a metronomic drummer the song's tempo will change from time to time. So I just like to set it and forget it...if I need tremolo I just turn the trem knob up and all is golden!

dafreeze · July 3rd, 2009, 10:07 AM

That's right...I didn't see the post Mark had made made right before mine...knew something had to be pushed and held

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafreeze

Scott, if I remember right that knob has 2 functions, both speed and intensity. To adjust one of those that knob must be held in for a few seconds. The little manual should spell it out.

You're right, threre is a second method. directly from the manual:You can also set the rate by turning the VIBRATO knob while depressing the pedal switch (p. 11). When you’ve finished setting the rate, release the pedal switch, then depress it again, holding it down for two or more seconds.

BTW you can also set the default rate with the tap tempo feature. After you set the rate using the tap-tempo feature if you press and hold the pedal for two seconds that stores it as the default rate.

Sarah93003 · July 3rd, 2009, 12:36 PM

Excellant review Mark. Thank you!

Synchro · July 3rd, 2009, 01:38 PM

I try.

coolbus18 · July 3rd, 2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crooner

Let me put my vote in for the new JangleBox 2 compressor. If you've never heard one go to their website and listen to some of the many sound clips. It's definitely a specialized compressor as it re-creates the super chimey tone of the Beatles and the Byrds. It works as both a compressor and a clean boost but its unique tone is one of a kind. They recently released the second version of the pedal, keeping all of the cool features but adding a bit more conventional compressor features to make it a bit more versatile. It is definitely the next stomp box I will buy.

http://www.janglebox.com/janglebox_o...=29&category=6

Attachment 3470

I think JB makes some of the finest boxes around. Go to their site is right. Oh the GAS

Scott · July 3rd, 2009, 02:36 PM

Synchro said

Quote:

You're right, threre is a second method. directly from the manual:You can also set the rate by turning the VIBRATO knob while depressing the pedal switch (p. 11). When you’ve finished setting the rate, release the pedal switch, then depress it again, holding it down for two or more seconds.

Yep...that's essentially what I ended up doing. Works great for me!

Pappy · July 3rd, 2009, 04:22 PM

Thank you, Mark and Scott!