How to Do Pre-Delay Effects on the Electric Guitar

Electric guitar players use effects pedals to produce an endless array of sounds and special effects, which is a big part of the fun and creativity of playing electric instruments. Delay effects produce a repetition of the sound; a pre-delay means that the delay is configured to repeat before the distortion effect is added to the signal. Delay effects are especially useful when playing lead guitar.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Hook a delay effects pedal or box into your system. Select a rhythm setting and set the length of the delay. Next play a passage to give it a try.

2. Play a lead guitar passage with the delay effect off. Then turn it on and repeat the passage so that you can see how the delay changes the result.

3. Set the pedal or box for a long delay. A long delay gives the music an ethereal, spacey sort of quality that might set just the right atmosphere for a particular piece of music.

4. Make the delay very short, and play a lead guitar passage. Notice how it makes it sound as though you are picking really quickly. This is a way to create a very impressive effect in lead guitar solos.

5. Experiment with settings, and if possible with different types of pedals and boxes. Experimentation is part of the heart and soul of electric guitar playing, so let your imagination go and see what musical sound can create.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many kinds of delay effects pedals and boxes, and naturally the more complicated ones offer a wider range of effects options. To find one that suits your needs, take your guitar to a music store and test several different types.