[Harp-L] Re: Boss DM-2

[AV1901@xxxxxxx]

mac asked about the lowdown on the Boss DM-2 analogue delay pedal.
 
I know 3 harp players that use(d) the Boss DM-2: William Clarke, Jason  Ricci 
and me. OK, 2 outta 3 ain't bad....
 
William Clarke (may he rest in peace) used one to great advantage. The last  
time I saw him he was playing a Shure 57 mic through a low to hi Z transformer 
 through the Boss DM-2 into an original 4 hole Bassman amp. 
 
Jason Ricci uses almost the same setup at times except his Bassman is a  
reissue.
 
I use an ElectroVoice 605 mic with a Shure CR element through the Boss DM-2  
into a Sonny Junior 410 amp. 
 
I bought my DM-2 @ 2 years ago on EBAY for $135 (to replace a digital delay  
that was too cold and exacting) and have loved it ever since. I've never liked 
 reverb. The best delay I ever played through was a vintage tube EchoPlex. I 
just  can't see spending $700-$800+ or more for something I'd be afraid to gig 
with  due to age and value. The Boss DM-2 is pretty indestructible, smaller & 
 lighter to carry, and comes close to the warmth of tape delay. For  
transport I put it in a plastic box meant for 3x5 index cards and toss it in the  gig 
bag with no worries. 
 
I dial in a very small amount of delay (the DM-2 is analogue and doesn't  
allow for huge/long delays anyway) and this rounds out my sound in a way I like.  
Sometimes on a Dminor blues using a Chromatic harp I'll lengthen the delay a 
bit  and sometimes it is off all together. The pedal doesn't rob tone when its 
on and  doesn't seem to do so when its in the line but off. 
 
My only beef? It goes through the 9 volt batteries pretty quickly (I've  
never tried a 9 volt transformer with it). I have to try hard to remember to  turn 
it off *and* unplug the mic cord between sets so it is completely off and  
saving juice.
 
I would HIGHLY recommend the DM-2. Prices have been rising pretty steeply,  
but unlike tubes and harps and guitar strings, once you buy the DM-2 it should  
last a long time.
 
Andy Vincent