The world of guitar pedals is filled with a rich history of innovation, and few products have had as much of an impact on musicians and the sound of popular music as the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man with green lights. Launched by Electro-Harmonix (EHX), this iconic analog delay pedal quickly earned a place in the hearts of guitarists, bass players, and producers alike due to its unique blend of warm, organic delay effects, modulation capabilities, and distinctive design features. Among the many versions produced over the years, the early models with green lights are often considered the most desirable, both for their sound quality and collectible value.
Introduction to the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man
Electro-Harmonix, founded in 1968 by David Cockerell, has a long history of producing innovative and groundbreaking audio effects. Initially known for creating the Big Muff distortion pedal, the company quickly expanded into other effect types, such as delay, reverb, and modulation. The Deluxe Memory Man was released in the 1970s as part of Electro-Harmonix’s push to establish itself as a leader in the analog delay market.
History and Development of the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man
The development of the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man began in the 1970s, at a time when analog delay pedals were beginning to gain traction among musicians. Prior to this, most delay effects were created using tape machines, which, while offering high-quality sound, were bulky and impractical for live performances. The advent of the analog delay pedal revolutionized the way musicians approached delay and echoed sound, providing a much more portable and affordable alternative to tape machines.
The Signature Green Lights: An Iconic Feature
One of the most recognizable features of the early Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man is its signature green LED lights. These lights, which illuminate the footswitch and controls of the pedal, give the Memory Man its distinctive visual appeal. While the green lights themselves are not necessarily crucial to the pedal’s sound, they contribute to the overall aesthetic and experience of using the pedal.
Visual Appeal:
The green lights have become a symbol of the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, and they add a unique character to the pedal. In a world of mostly monochrome pedal designs, the green lights made the Memory Man stand out, offering a visually striking contrast to the other delay pedals of the era.
The illumination of the footswitch, as well as the control knobs, creates an almost ethereal glow that adds to the excitement of using the pedal in a live setting. Many musicians and fans of the pedal have come to associate the green lights with the warm, analog delay tones the Deluxe Memory Man is famous for.
Functionality of the Green Lights:
While the green lights are primarily a visual feature, they also serve a functional purpose. The footswitch light indicates whether the pedal is engaged or bypassed, providing clear feedback to the player. Additionally, the green lights around the control knobs help to indicate the settings of the delay time, feedback, and modulation depth, making it easier for users to adjust the pedal to their desired sound.
This functional illumination was not common in pedals at the time, which made the Deluxe Memory Man not only a great-sounding pedal but also an easy-to-use one. In a dark stage environment, the illuminated controls helped musicians navigate their settings more easily.
Key Features and Sound of the Early Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man
The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man was designed to offer a wide range of delay and modulation effects that could be customized to suit a variety of musical genres and styles. Here’s a closer look at the key features and the sound that made the Deluxe Memory Man such an influential and sought-after pedal.
Analog Delay and Echo:
The most important feature of the Deluxe Memory Man is its analog delay. Unlike digital delay pedals, which replicate the original signal using digital processing, analog delay pedals like the Memory Man create a warm, organic echo by passing the signal through a chain of BBD (Bucket Brigade Delay) chips. This results in a smoother, more natural-sounding delay that many musicians prefer for its “musical” quality.
The delay time on the Deluxe Memory Man ranges from short slapback echoes to longer, more spacious delays. This flexibility makes the pedal useful for a variety of applications, from subtle tonal enhancements to dramatic, spacey effects.
Modulation Effects: Chorus and Vibrato:
In addition to the delay effects, the Deluxe Memory Man is equipped with a modulation section that allows for both chorus and vibrato sounds. This modulation can be applied to the delay signal, creating rich, swirling textures that are perfect for atmospheric playing.
The chorus effect adds depth and movement to the delay, while the vibrato effect creates a subtle pitch modulation that can add a dreamy, lush quality to the sound. These effects can be dialed in with the Rate and Depth controls, giving players a wide range of sonic possibilities.
Bucket Brigade Delay Chips:
The Bucket Brigade Delay chips are a key component of the Memory Man’s analog delay circuit. These chips are responsible for passing the signal from one stage to the next, creating the delayed sound. The BBD technology was widely used in the 1970s and 1980s for delay effects, and it contributes to the warm, rich tone that the Memory Man is known for.
Unlike the harsh, digital sound of modern delay pedals, the Memory Man’s BBD circuit produces a smooth, organic delay that’s easy to dial in and complements a wide variety of musical styles.
Control Options and Customization:
The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man is equipped with a range of controls that allow musicians to fine-tune the pedal to their preferences. The main controls include:
- Delay Time: Determines the length of the delay, ranging from short slapback to long, ambient echoes.
- Feedback: Controls how many repeats the delay will produce, from a single echo to self-oscillation.
- Rate and Depth: These control the modulation section, with Rate adjusting the speed of the modulation (chorus or vibrato) and Depth adjusting the intensity.
These controls make the Deluxe Memory Man a highly versatile pedal that can be used for a variety of delay and modulation effects, from subtle to extreme.
Notable Users of the Early Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man
The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man has been used by countless musicians over the years, ranging from rock and pop to experimental and ambient music. Here are a few notable artists and bands who have used the early green light version of the Memory Man:
- The Edge (U2): The Edge is perhaps one of the most famous users of the Deluxe Memory Man, and he is known for incorporating its distinctive delay sounds into U2’s music. The Memory Man helped shape the band’s signature sound, especially on tracks like “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”
- David Gilmour (Pink Floyd): Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour has used the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man on numerous recordings, particularly for creating lush, atmospheric delay effects. His iconic sound on songs like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is partly thanks to the Memory Man’s analog delay.
- Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine): Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine is another guitarist who is known to have used the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man to create his unique blend of shoegaze sounds. The pedal’s delay and modulation features allowed him to craft complex, swirling textures.
These musicians are just a few examples of how the Deluxe Memory Man’s distinctive sound has influenced the music of some of the most iconic bands in history. Its versatility and unique tonal characteristics have made it a favorite for musicians seeking to push the boundaries of sound.
The Market for Early Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man with Green Lights
In recent years, the early Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man with green lights has become a highly sought-after item on the vintage pedal market. Collectors value the green light versions not only for their iconic status but also for their superior sound quality and craftsmanship.
Collectibility and Demand:
Due to its popularity and historical significance, the early green light models of the Deluxe Memory Man can fetch high prices on the used pedal market. This has led to a boom in interest among pedal collectors, many of whom consider the green light version to be the “holy grail” of analog delay pedals.
Modern Reissues and Comparisons:
While Electro-Harmonix has since released reissues of the Deluxe Memory Man, many players feel that the early green light versions retain a certain “magic” that has yet to be replicated in modern pedals. Reissues do capture much of the essence of the original design, but some musicians argue that the sound quality of the early models is unique and unmatched.
Conclusion
The Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man with green lights is a pedal that continues to captivate musicians and collectors alike, thanks to its warm analog delay, versatile modulation effects, and iconic design. The early green light models, in particular, are revered for their sonic qualities and historical significance, making them an enduring classic in the world of guitar effects.
Whether you’re a guitarist looking for that signature delay sound or a collector seeking a piece of musical history, the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man with green lights is a pedal that remains an essential part of the legacy of analog effects. Its influence on music, particularly in the realms of rock, ambient, and experimental genres, is undeniable, and its place in the pantheon of great guitar pedals is firmly established.