School me on Ibanez/Maxon analog delays

[Eivind August]

So, I'm getting a christmas present for myself via my parents because I must be doing something right. Analog delay is what I want. Had been looking at the EAR AD4096, but it is so big and fancy and expensive I'm not sure it's my thing or if I "need" it. I mean I would probably love it, but anyway.

These old/reissue Ibanez and Maxon AD-9 seem to be plentiful and relatively affordable. I'm pretty sure I've heard positive stuffz about them, and they look cool, are japanese, and are small. Are they cool? What's the difference between old ones and new ones? Any specific years that are better or worse? I've seen some early eighties Maxons that seem kinda holy grail-ish.

Would I be better off with a Boss DM-2/DM-3 or getting a Malekko again? Or is it all good?

[Chankgeez]

I've got an Eighties Ibanez AD-80. Very warm sounding. Might be my favorite delay ever. At least, it's the one I judge all other delays against. 18V

Still not too expensive.

The AD-9 is nice too.

[Eivind August]

Thanks, I'll add that to the contenders-list. I can do 18v.

What about specs? 300-400ms delay, not true bypass on the older ones? I could just google this, but I think you guys have an opinion closer to mine than some random TGP-thread.

[Pepe]

I had the chance to give the Ibanez Multi Effects UE 305 a test drive a few weeks ago. It also contains the complete circuit of the compact AD-9. My boss gave it to me for inspection, because some of the tactile switches started to become unreliable. The problem was easy to solve - just open the switches and apply tuner spray to the parts. These have no true bypass. But I didn't like the sound. I have two KORG KAD-301 delay cartridges for the PME-40X system and I love the sound of this model. The Ibanez was too clean and sterile for my taste. Even my wife said that there was a noticable difference when switching from the KORG to the Ibanez delay. And to my ears the BOSS CE-2 sounds a lot better than the CS-9 which is also inside that big box. Personally I'm very unimpressed by the Ibanez 9-series so far, but others love them to pieces!

[D.o.S.]

I've always preferred the AD-999 out of all the Ibaxons I've tried, but that's got a lot to do with the horizontal knobs and how much easier those are to tweak on the fly.

[Pepe]

Ibaxons

That's a good one!

[Chankgeez]

Thanks, I'll add that to the contenders-list. I can do 18v.

What about specs? 300-400ms delay, not true bypass on the older ones? I could just google this, but I think you guys have an opinion closer to mine than some random TGP-thread.

You know, I don't even know. 300-400ms sounds about right, it doesn't have the longest delay time. Sort of medium longish. It works well enough for me. I just usually go by what I like to hear. I don't think it's true bypass either.

[UglyCasanova]

Selling your Copilot, doubts about the Afterneath, wanting Ibanez/Maxon delays... are you okay?

[zrobb3]

i had an ad9 and like an idiot i sold it for some dumb shit i don't even have anymore. best delay pedal i ever had

[rfurtkamp]

AD-100 amptop is the hidden gem of the Ibanez line. Still 300-ish MS delay, but has a modicum of headroom because it's AC powered by design.

[frigid midget]

I tried my share of old school analog delays, and my personal favorite would be the Boss DM3. If it weren't for the short delay time, the lack of true bypass or modulation and tweakability, I'd still have one on my board right now. For the money though, it doesn't make sense NOT to get something new-ish that sounds close enough for a fraction of the price. A Carbon Copy fucking slays, and so does the ES-2 impo.

Not saying they're in the same league as those pricey maxons though. So if that's what you're after, and you don't mind having a couple extra knobs/options, you might want to take a look at AD999 Pro. Not cheap, I think it's supposed to be like Maxon's flagship delay these days.

[Gigahearts_FX]

Ive always loved the old DM-2 design, and Way Huge probably did it best with their true bypass version, the Aqua Puss AP-1

Ive built a few

Kinda like this:

[Eivind August]

Selling your Copilot, doubts about the Afterneath, wanting Ibanez/Maxon delays... are you okay?

Just thinning out the collection to the stuff I actually use. Analog delays are awesome?

I tried my share of old school analog delays, and my personal favorite would be the Boss DM3. If it weren't for the short delay time, the lack of true bypass or modulation and tweakability, I'd still have one on my board right now. For the money though, it doesn't make sense NOT to get something new-ish that sounds close enough for a fraction of the price. A Carbon Copy fucking slays, and so does the ES-2 impo.

Not saying they're in the same league as those pricey maxons though. So if that's what you're after, and you don't mind having a couple extra knobs/options, you might want to take a look at AD999 Pro. Not cheap, I think it's supposed to be like Maxon's flagship delay these days.

Lack of true bypass and short delaytime doesn't concern me, I've got other delays. The old Maxons/Ibanezes I've been looking at go for $150-200, so not that expensive really. AD999 Pro might be cool, but I prefer the simplicity of the AD9s.

Ive always loved the old DM-2 design, and Way Huge probably did it best with their true bypass version, the Aqua Puss AP-1

If anyone reads this and wants a DM2 clone with true bypass based on the Way Huge Aqua Puss AP-1 with optional modulation, let me know.
I have a few sets of PCB left and might do a limited run. I have the MN3005 chips just sat here doing nothing :/

Answering your PM right now!

[UglyCasanova]

Selling your Copilot, doubts about the Afterneath, wanting Ibanez/Maxon delays... are you okay?

Just thinning out the collection to the stuff I actually use. Analog delays are awesome?

Hmmmm, 'tis true, 'tis true.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Voice of reason....get the ad4096 if you have the option. It has some cool feature set like the infinite repeats, or the stero output of oscillations that you can fine tune in real time to drone with. Really cool pedal aside from sounding absolutely delicious.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owg272JQdcg[/youtube]