As we all know there are VERY few reverb pedals on the market (I have no idea why). Some have suggested that Guyatone used to make a decent reverb pedal, but they are not easy to find. I see that Boss makes a combination reverb/delay pedal. Is it any good, or junk? How are Boss pedals in general, are there any good ones? I am not a big fan of just having a spring reverb unit. The spring reverbs in my SFSR and my Mark IV sound good, but are not versatile enough for me. I play everything from SRV to Jeff Beck to Metheny and need the versatility.

I also have a fairly old Ibanez stereo chorus pedal that SERIOUSLY affects the tone (in a negative way) when plugged in but not in use. Is this typical for all non true bypass pedals? Or are there any that sound okay while plugged in and not in use?

From my previous posts, you may have gathered that I am switching back from rack effects in effects loops to pedals. I have recently acquired a FD2 and will probably get the DP. I also need decent chorus, reverb and delay. The Boss RV-3 would cover the reverb and delay. I am thinking of a Fulltone chorus pedal as well.

As usual any advice for an old timer going back in time is appreciated.

Cheers

Tim

let me preface this by saying that i am not all THAT experienced with gear, so take what i say with a grain of salt (i guess that is a precaution to take with anyone's advide though)

my humble opinion about the rv-3 is that it sounds very crystalline and digital on most settings. but if you dont mind a distinctly non-analog sound, it's fine. i own one, and use it regularly, except i ONLY use it in the loop of my ? flanger, where it sounds really good for analog delay (the flanger does all the analog repeating work, and it does sound completely analog/warm/organic, yet i can still use the longer delay times). i tried using it alone but it sounded way too sterile and cold for me.

you seem to be buying quality gear, it would be a shame to cheapen your sound by buying just one lesser quality effect....i know, i know, i did say i own one, but it really sounds nothing like itself when it's in the loop of the ? flanger, and i really would not use it alone.

regarding boss, i hear the old (analog) ones are good. but every newer one i've owned/tried has disappointed me. sometimes you do really get what you pay for...

as for serious effects on tone when a non true bypass pedal is bypassed, this is not always the case. lovetone pedals for one are not true bypass, but they do not adversely affect your tone at all. there are plenty of non true bypass effects that sound just fine when bypassed. you have to listen to them yourself though.

as for chorus, there is a rather long thread on these forums somewhere called "the best chorus pedal" or something like that. you may want to read it. i use my ? flanger for chorus, but wouldnt recommend it for just that, since it costs way more than a chorus pedal should, and isnt really worth it unless you intend to use all of its features.

i hope i've been helpful without sounding too self assured. i have only played for 7 years or so and have been buying pedals actively for only the last year or so. i only responded becuase i do have some information/experience pertaining directly to your questions.

krmaplc

Thanks for the feedback krmaplc. The only reason I was looking at the RV-3 is that so far it is the ONLY stereo reverb pedal I can find. Since my original post I have read a bunch of reviews and have decided (like you suggested) that I would probably be disappointed with the RV-3 in the long run. I have NO real preference over digital or analog. Although i would likely prefer digital. I love the reverbs in all the effects units I have in my recording studio. It's just that I cannot use them in an amp without an effects loop, and besides I want to leave them in my studio racks. I can use them with my Mark IV, but I am finding that I am spending more time playing my SFSR and Blues Junior, and neither have effects loops. I can't understand why a company like Fulltone or Line 6 do not make a high quality reverb unit. What is it with all these delay pedals but no reverb pedals? I fibd reverb far more versatile and useful, but the spring reverbs in amps too limiting. Anyway I am looking for a reverb pedal that will sound as good as my Lexicon Halls, Rooms, Plates, etc. and can be used with an amp that has no effects loop.

I also wonder why most pedals don't have two inputs as well as two outputs, so that you can use them in stereo. I like to play live in stereo, but this can only be done with amps that have loops or DI to the power amp section. I was thinking about using a pair of Blues Juniors, but it is looking less likely that it will be possible. I am looking into the THD Yellowjackets to use EL84's with my Mark IV and perhaps adding a DI to the Blues Junior power amp that can be switched on or off. That way I will have the effects loop and two reasonably similar power stages.

Take Care

Tim

i just bought/won an auction, for the "old" Boss RRV-10.
it also has stereo outputs.
and eventhough it's a half-sized rack, running it "always-on" through a loop box, will make it a pedal.
the delays are warm and only 12 bit (14 bit?), so even if it says 'digital reverb' on it, doesn't mean it's CLEAN digital reverb... it means 'screwed-up-old-warm-sounds'... i think...

- ced