Maxon AD80 Analog Delay Reissue

easy as can be-no problems.

good sounding pedal-too bad they have become so expensive. i don't hear a major difference between this and the boss DM-3 i just sold,but the AD-80 won't do the 'runaway' freak-out thing i love...doesn't affect the signal in a bad way when bypassed. the repeats are very warm(muddy/lo-fi)and add a nice funky texture to whatever you run through it-it's not just for guitars!

good quiet switch,nice components(knobs,jacks)-i'd say it's dependable,but i can't rate it yet.

got a quick email reply to my question about the repeat calibration-they included a picture of the circuit board to help me find the right trimpot to adjust(mine has 2)...it still wouldn't regenerate like the DM-3,but i don't really mind-other delay pedals i have will do that.

if you like analog echo and don't need longer than 300ms(or so)delay time,it's a good one to have-the only thing with this one that bugs me is that i tend to change the blend control with my foot accidentally when switching in/out-the knob itself doesn't feel flimsy when you turn it,but it's a bit close to the switch (or my feet are too big)...that's really my only complaint-it's a great pedal overall,but i couldn't see paying 200+ for another one.

Three-knob operation and mono/stereo output give this pedal a solid 10 for the coexistence of simplicity and flexibility.

Second only to the original Ibanez AD-80 (circa 1980 vintage)in terms of sonic quality out of a stompbox delay, this Maxon pedal is about as good as it gets. Very smooth, organic and natural sounding with no added noise or corruption of the original dry signal. Wonderful little (it is small and lightweight) pedal.

Too soon to tell ... but it appears to be built well. Check back with me in 20 years, and we'll see if it's still working like the Ibanez AD-80 (which is about 20 years old now and still working).

Called Maxon to get some advice on tweaking. They were very helpful but did not get back to me on another question surrounding the Ibanez AD-80 (originally built by Maxon). They don't support Ibanez, but it would have been nice to get a return call whether or not they had any real info to offer.

It is a little pricey at $250, but these pedals are continuing to escalate in price due to a supposed dwindling supply of chips (bucket brigade style of IC that renders the great analog sound) that are no longer being produced. Could be a marketing scam, but if these are truly in short supply, then expect prices to keep rising. If you don't require stereo out, then the original Ibanez AD-80 might be a better choice for possibly less money (though these are going up as well).

With only three knobs, it's pretty damn easy. I can get a nice slapback or some spacy longer delays. I bought mine off of ebay, and it came with the original manual, which had some good suggestions on different settings to get you started.

My setup goes as follows: Strat w/Rio Grandes -> Teese RMC3 Wah -> Voodoo Lab Proctavia -> Analog Man/Dunlop Fuzz Face -> Maxon AD-80 -> ZVex Super Hard On -> Roger Mayer Crossroads AB -> Fender Vibrolux & Marshall JCM 900 Half Stack

The only undesired noise I can get out of it is if you are playing a note and you move the delay knob, it makes a weird noise. But that isn't really a problem because I usually make my settings before a song starts or during a song when it is off. In one of my songs I'm playing through my Marshall's Lead channel with the Teese and I step on the Maxon for a 8 bar section for some really crazy space effects. My setting for it is to set the Delay time at maximum, the repeat at a short setting, and the blend knob up fairly high. Also sounds great with my fender when doing quiet appregios or when going through the fender with the fuzzface on and doing a ripping solo. Very cool. I've played around with the stereo out and that is pretty cool also. The only problem I have with it is that it is not true bypass, but I'm going to get a TPDT switch from Fulltone so no biggie.

It is as sturdy as a rock as far as I can see. I've used it at numerous gigs and never had a problem. I don't have to worry about batteries as I use a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power. If it shot craps in the middle of a song, I just wouldn't use it as delay is not an integral part of my sound, I just like to use it for special touches here and there.

I play rock 'n roll varying from classic to hard to blues. I've had the maxon for about six months now and I use it more and more every day. For me natural, warm, big sounding, and analog is the only way for me, so the maxon fits right in. As far as I can tell, it is one of the best analog delays out there and it's not very expensive (though I got a good deal on mine), though I haven't played on any of the old boss analog pedals. If I had to part way of the maxon for whatever reason I would most likely get another one.

Three essential knobs. One for number of repeats(how long of a delay "tracer"), one for delay time(how quick or slow the repeats), one for level(how strong of delay in your signal). Easy and basic.

Ah, man...You have GOT to hear this thing. Sweet. Perfection. I prefer an echo type effect in my sound at all times, not so much as to encroach on my rhythm playing and tight stops. With other pedals, decent solo delay has always been easy to achieve, but one that worked in rhythm playing without getting muddy and still sounding organic was nearly impossible. This pedal does all that and more with perfection. I believe it is the MN3005 BBD that is used in this analog beauty. Sweet!

Same as my old MXR Dyna Comp construction. Solid, metal, good footswitch. Another reviewer stated you could feel the "intestines" move inside. I checked inside and it is only the 9v battery moving (guess they could've put some more foam around the battery). Anyway, it ain't gonna break.

I did try to reach Maxon before I bought it, and got Godlyke(their N. American distibutor instead. They returned my e-mail quickly.

Some bands I play: Led Zep, Stone Temple Pilots, old Metallica, Rolling Stones, B.B.King, Nirvana, old Van Halen, Pearl Jam, Koko Taylor, Malice, Ratt, SRV, '80's pop, Neil Young, Heart, Ozzy, ZZ Top. Compliments all of these and more well.

If you know how to patch and operate a stompbox, this won't add any new tricks. The manual goes into a surprising amount of detail and as a bonus has info on all other maxon pedals.

I pretty much set and forget it for most playing.

I won't give a 10 since I haven't compared it to lots of other analog delays and there may be something better - but to me this was exactly what I was looking for.

I did try it at the store along with the more expensive maxon AD-900 analog delay (with twice the delay - but darker), SIB Tube Delay (but not the older analog one), and a H&K Replex (a bit noisy for me). For the money (and pedalboard real estate) the AD80 was the best.

I also took of a point for not being true bypass (what is the matter with pedal companies - don't they know that this should be standard on all pedals?). I was able to install a Fulltone 3pdt switch without too much trouble - so now I'd give my pedal a 9. It didn't sound too bad before but now I have no worries. If you are the type who likes to keep it on all the time this wouldn't be a problem.

As others have noted it can also create some cool sci-fi sounds (spaceship landing - taking off) when the repeats is maxed out.

It is a pretty quiet unit.

All in all, everything I was looking for to thicken up my leads and make my chording rich and pretty. Fun and Vibe factor with this pedal is very high. 300ms is actually plenty of delay for most applications. Sounds way groovier than my digital Danelectro Echo (which I still think is an ok pedal - I'll use it for back up or longer/brighter delays in the studio).

Well I blew the warranty right away by opening the unit and installing my own true bypass switch. Case is metal. The circuit board looks fine. The 1/4 inch jacks look kind of cheap - shouldn't be a factor when mounted on my pedalboard but could cause problems over time. They are easy to replace though since they aren't directly soldered to the circuit board but are point to point wired.

I play blusey rock and this pedal is perfect. I've been playing for 15 years and am into single coils, Fulltone (and similar) pedals, and Dr. Z amps. I would have loved to try the Way Huge Aqua Puss but couldn't find one. Besides this pedal is way cheaper.

I may buy another one if it comes around used since they don't make them anymore. (boo Panasonic for dropping the chip). Cheaper than the competition (boutique sound at mass produced prices - what else could you ask for).

Again true bypass would have made it the perfect pedal.

Very easy.
Delay time, Repeat and Blend.
one input and two outputs

I play Telecaster ams to Boss EQ to Tubeman plus pre amp to AD-80 to any power amp at any live club.
since this is an 'analog' delay, delay time is not very long but,
I am sure almost everyone will fall in love with its warm sound.

OK. but I feel it has its infestines twirlling whenever I am holding it.

......

I said that I'm sure almost everyone will fall in love with this one.
That's right. I play simple rock music for 10 years and I love AD-80's warm sound. If this is stolen? that won't happen.
I wish I had another AD-80, so I can use it as a 'Reverve' pedal.
Yes, that will work. I had tried and it was fine.

Three Knobs, Delay, Repeat & Blend, Stereo & Dry outputs. Simple
but effective!!

Absolute jaw dropping tone. The AD-80 smokes anything I have tried
& I have tried everything including the Boss DM's, the $500 Whining
Puss & the schoolbus size Echodrive. From subtle slapback to all out
Floyd insanity. The warmest, smoothest most useable delay ever. My
set-up is Nocaster->FD2TR100->Analog Man Clone->AD-80-> 6L6 Bogner
Shiva. I cannot beleive you can buy these new for $170. That is a complete
joke when you consider what other analog delays cost & how inferior they
are to this one. My favorite feature is the "blend" knob. When adjusted full
counter-clockwise the effect is completeley transparent. When I say completely,
I mean absolutley "O" tone loss & I am a huge advocate of "true-bypass"
switching. It was my major concern when considering what analog delay to buy.
"DO NOT" stay away from this pedal because it is not true-bypass. When cranked
full clockwise you can get the "sickest" natural harmonic feedback thang happening
. You can let the delay wind, then go on and play other phrases, allowing the natural
feedback to repeat endlessly. I was in awe & you will be too. Crank all the knobs &
you will be in all out analog heaven with a big smile, a stiffy & some killer "tone". This
pedal can stay on "all the time" and be adjusted accordingly with the blend knob. This
works like majic & is near perfect design, it also conserves the pedals life. What more
can I say, this is quite simply the best delay out there & IMHO is probably the best value
of any kind on any peice of guitar equipment, period. The pedal is nearly noiseless. Imagine
the perfect delay, the lushest, smoothest, most organic sounds you can conceive, the
epitome of mouth watering, dripping tone. If you can envision what those sounds are, then
you can imagine the AD-80. I have never been more satisfied with a peice of guitar equipment
of any kind. EVER!! WOW MAXON!! Thanks!

Excellent MXR housing, super sturdy, the only question might be the
switch but I haven't had any difficulty yet.

I have no idea & I hope it stays that way

Well if I am rating what I wanted out of a analog delay then this is w/o
question a 10. I would give it a 100 if I could. When I consider that this
delay sounds better then any other, costs nearly three times less & is still
available new, then w/o a doubt this is a 10. All I can really say is go play
one because you will not understand until you do.This is not a gushing
review because I feel guilty about the money I spent. these are the facts
Go find one now, they are almost gonzo & will be skyrocketing in price
once they are gone & people realize how incredible they are.

Very easy to use, 3 knobs, 1 input and stereo outs

It's beautiful. Other's nothing. Heaven's Sound.

That is maxon stomp box.

N/A

I like analog sound. Though Ad-80 is reissue, AD-80 makes a beatiful analog sound. It's warm and bright and vague and misty sound!!
You make Roy buchanan- "Hidden" sound.
And this box is small, similar MXR box.

Seems to be set up nicely. Manual easy to follow.

Setup with this effect is Gibson ES-5 (3 P-90s) through Victoria Tweed Deluxe amp for jump blues. Effect seems quiet. I'm looking for a fat, LA Holmes/Rusty Zinn/Jr Watson-cum-T-Bone Walker sound.

Not yet, it arrvied broken, with a short circuit in the guitar input jack. Probably a bad cold solder.

Sent it right back to the dealer for full refund including FedEx shipping. Going to try and replace it elsewhere for the same price.

Despite the fact that I was really miffed when this cool gear arrived in time for my gig and didn't work, I'm certain that by all reports, this is what I'm looking for. I AM shopping for another one. I play all big-bodied Gibson archtops through small Fender or Victoria amps, and my tone ranges from very clean, warm and jazzy to small-amp, natural tube distortion HONK. I don't want to spring the bucks for a vintage outboard reverb tank just yet, and this analog delay pedal seems to get great reviews everywhere I read about it, so I'm giving it another try. But CAVEAT EMPTOR...when internet buying. If you didn't get to test it out yourself in the store, it may not work when it gets to you.

Very easy to use, 3 knobs, stereo outs

killer Analog Delay! Very organic and warm sounding, dead quiet, im using a Amercan Std. Strat with Frailins or American Dlx Tele>Budda Bud Wah>Ibanez TS-808>Fulltone Supa-Trem>Fulltone Choralflange>Maxon AD-80>EH 70's Small Stone>Fulltone FatBoost. i can get that Jerry Garcia, Steve Kimock clean tone with the AD-80 and Fulltone FatBoost. Sounds great with the TS-808 as well! The only thing im gonna do is send it to Mike Fuller and have him put a True Bypass switch in it.

looks and feels dependable

never dealt with Maxon

I was orginally looking for a Way Huge Aqua Puss, i found one only to be over $400.00!!!!!!! screw it. Im glad i just went with the Maxon, ill make it true bypass, and im done. Oh i did borrow a old Ibanez AD-9 from a friend for awhile, i think the Maxon sounds way better..i would buy another if it got ripped off but i don't want that to happen again!