2117 W Sunset Blvd LA, CA 90026 (213)908-5133 Wed-Sun 11-7pm
2117 W Sunset Blvd LA, CA 90026 (213)908-5133 Wed-Sun 11-7pm
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Guyatone Flip Tube Power Analog Delay
Guyatone Flip Tube Power Analog Delay

Guyatone Flip Tube Power Analog Delay

Regular price $299.00 $0.00 Unit price per

Original Japanese made Guyatone Flip Tube analog delay!

The Flip AD-X uses a Panasonic MN3101 multi-tap BBD for the echoes; this is a short delay chip (the specs I've seen say 150-200ms max) which was typically used in analogue reverb units in the 70s and 80s. Apparently, this pedal was only officially available in Japan, and is now discontinued.

This pedal is full of quirks, so I'll start by running through the features.

Like most delay pedals, it has the usual 'Delay Time', 'Repeat' (feedback) and 'Level' (effect volume) controls, but in addition, it has 'Input' (gain for the tube section) and a Mode switch; 'Mode I' being a single delay line, 'Mode II' a double tap delay line.

There is a single input and dual outputs; unconventionally, when using both outputs, Output 1 (which carries the effect signal) is only active when the pedal is engaged - Output 2 carries the direct sound. This - plainly - isn't the most useful implementation of a dual output system; it would have been better had the pedal been equipped with a buffering system allowing both outputs to be used constantly, regardless of whether the delay was on or off.

When used in a mono, one-in/one-out arrangement, Output 1 is a mixed output.

* * *


The first thing that strikes you when using this effect, is that the available delay time is so short, with much of the range on the Delay Time dial being pretty much useless. Up to about 7 on the dial, the echoes are imperceptible and the resulting doubled, comb-filtered effect may not be to everyone's taste. There is a definite sweet spot around 8 on the Time control; this is a good slap-back echo setting, and is the longest delay length before the repeats start to degrade too much and generate too much noise.

Noise? Yes, this thing can get noisy. Perhaps due to the lo-fi analogue technology, the AD-X can be quite noisy. With the delay time above 8, things quickly deteriorate with an increas in background noise and audibly distortion of the echoes. Also, if you set the Delay Level control too high you will fell like you're swimming in a pool of hiss and hum.

It is a balancing act to get the Level and Time controls just right; you have to compromise on either or both to get close to the desired effect.


Uses for this pedal?

It's good for slap-back echoes - if you play muted notes or in a staccato fashion, but in most cases the effect will be lost behind what you're playing. And you can forget about using this for any kind of rhythmic delay effects.