Electro Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man

After years of searching, I finally got my hands on this pedal and it instantly became my favorite. It’s no wonder that so many players still use and treasure it. The modulation is really what sets it apart. The only downside is that it requires 24v power, but with the right power supply, it’s well worth the hassle. While I do miss having a tap tempo feature, I’m an old-school player who relies on my ears for reference. This is hands-down the best analog (if not the best overall) delay pedal out there.

This delay is truly outstanding. When I first started playing (too many years ago), I got a Deluxe Memory Man from the 80s at a local shop. Unfortunately, my original unit took a beating over the years and needed to be replaced. In the past three years, I’ve tried countless delays – from boutique to digital, small companies to large companies – but none quite hit the mark. Don’t get me wrong, they all sounded good, but they just weren’t what I was looking for.

So, I decided to go back to the Deluxe Memory Man and I’m so glad I did. It has everything you could ask for – fantastic tone, warmth, and modulation. Looking back, I don’t even know why I bothered with the other delays in the first place. This unit is truly exceptional.

Paired with my Tele and some other high-quality boutique pedals, this unit creates an incredible musical experience – particularly with the feedback, dark delay, and chorus modulation that gives a howling effect when playing high strings. As long as I keep it elevated for easy knob access, the sound never becomes stagnant.

Unfortunately, I found that this unit doesn’t quite live up to my expectations when paired with my new analog synth. The narrow frequency range of the modulation doesn’t quite capture the same spirit and energy as the combination of tubes and the edge of the Tele. Despite this limitation, the Memory Man remains a fantastic addition to my setup.