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Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 26 May 2015 10:02 pm

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Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 26 May 2015 10:33 pm

That's cool!

Bosse Engzell · Post by **Bosse Engzell** » 26 May 2015 11:13 pm

IT sound goooood!!!!! An eye open for many how to use all small toys.

Bosse in Sweden

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 27 May 2015 9:18 pm

Thanks for listening!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 28 May 2015 3:56 am

Nicely done! I did an experimental recording a few years back with this technique on a version of Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald but I just twisted random dials. You've figured out how to use it with precision and planning, Doug! I tip my hat.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 28 May 2015 7:37 am

Thanks Andy. Most delay pedals have three controls... one for the level (volume) of the repeat, one for the number of repeats, and one for the timing of the repeat. For slow-medium songs you want two or three repeats with the level (volume) of the repeats set way back so the repeats can barely be heard. For faster, single note picking with delay, like Albert Lee does and Bobbe Seymour did so well, you want just one repeat with the volume level of the repeat set about 3/4 or more of the original note. In that case the repeated note is clearly heard, and is not way in the background. That's what I did in this video. I wanted to hear the slapback of the note(s).
In my video "Send Me the Pillow" and other slow songs, I use delay to broaden the sound, a couple of repeats with the volume of the repeats set way back, hardly noticeable.
Another factor is the timing of the repeats. A beat and a half works well... a dotted quarter note. So the repeat comes a beat and a half after the original note. There is a mathematical formula to figure it out, based on the number of beats per minute in a song. Or you could just use your ears and set the repeat on the upbeat, a dotted quarter note... or you could get a delay pedal that allows the user to *tap* on the pedal to sync the repeats to the song. That's what I use, a Boss DD-6. It takes the guesswork out of it. If you're playing with a band you can quickly synch the repeats "on the fly" to any song with three taps. Very handy.

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 28 May 2015 5:59 pm

Great playing Doug!
Playing with a delay like that is a great way to practice both timing and intonation...very unforgiving if you're off, and the repeats really rub it in your face.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 29 May 2015 4:55 am

Doug, great vibe with the delay and precise timing. The Ric model B sounds very chimy also. Is that with the C6 tuning?

Gary Reed · Post by **Gary Reed** » 29 May 2015 5:17 am

Doug,
Are you usng any reverb in the video?
If not, do you like reverb with delay ever?
Thanks

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 29 May 2015 8:39 am

Thanks guys, the tuning is A6 (high to low) E, C#, A, F#, E, C#. It's an easy re-tune from C6. I have to say, this Ric Model B is the best sounding lap steel I've ever played. The sound is so full, so rich, and so lively. This one is a Model B guitar (roundneck) with a raised nut. I hope to get a B-6 lap steel someday.

Besides the delay, I'm using a little bit of reverb. Too much reverb will obscure the delay effect, in my opinion, so I use just a small amount of reverb when using delay. Thanks for listening.

Dennis Smith · Post by **Dennis Smith** » 31 May 2015 8:27 am

Doug, in the first 20 sec's it sounds like you are going into Blinded by the light by Springsteen. Great sounding guitar.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Jun 2015 10:23 pm

Yeah, it does sound a little bit like that song. It's just a random chord pattern though and some hammer-ons and pull-off. Yes, it's a great sounding guitar. I think my tone quest is over... for now anyway.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 2 Jun 2015 2:53 am

Doug, thanks for getting me off the stump on delay. Not doing anything fancy with it yet, but getting a little slap-back
has me on the road to recovery of that all important surf guitar sound.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 2 Jun 2015 8:03 am

That's great, Charlie. Just set the timing of the repeats (by ear or by tapping on the stomp box) to the tempo of the song you're playing and set the volume of the repeats lower than the original note(s), and you're good to go. Have fun with it!