Shark Diver
New member
So, which model is the one to have - beige, black, pedal? Any differences? Thinking of picking one up to try.
SLOgriff
Well-known member
Black one.... Great unit but too expensive and kind of a one trick pony. I can get the same tones with my TC Flashback pedal.
stephen sawall
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
I had the beige one back in the 80's ... too long ago to remember much.
T
TrueTone500
Banned
New member
Get a beige USA made model. I've been playing these since the early 90's. Not only is a great delay, it is also one of the best sounding flanger/chorus/doubler devices you will ever play. Your picked notes sit on-top of the mix, just as if you were playing a real Echoplex. The repeats are modulated for emulating tape-slip and warble. The 'hi-cut' switch makes it the most analog sounding digital echo ever. As much as I love my TC 2290, I do miss my Chandler.
cardinal
Well-known member
Just echoing the other posters (bad pun), but the beige is the USA model and the black ones I think were made in Japan?
There's three types: beige, black, and the black SDE II. I've read that the beige and first black units are functionally the same. The SDE II adds a knob to control the input level, but I think otherwise is suppose to be the same.
I have a black SDE (not the SDE II), and I think it's great. I keep the high cut on, add just a touch of modulation, and use short repeats for always-on ambiance. It sounds great for longer delay, too. Kinda wish it had presets, but since one of the things I love about it is that it's dead simple to use, I can deal with it.
There's three types: beige, black, and the black SDE II. I've read that the beige and first black units are functionally the same. The SDE II adds a knob to control the input level, but I think otherwise is suppose to be the same.
I have a black SDE (not the SDE II), and I think it's great. I keep the high cut on, add just a touch of modulation, and use short repeats for always-on ambiance. It sounds great for longer delay, too. Kinda wish it had presets, but since one of the things I love about it is that it's dead simple to use, I can deal with it.
T
TrueTone500
Banned
New member
If I remember correctly, the USA model has hand-wired pots vs pots on a pcb on the MIJ model. The USA circuit is a cleaner design, but both sounded the same to me. The SDE II has an input level adjust that comes in handy for use as a BTA type delay.
reverymike
Active member
Yes, beige and black are the same. The story is, that they ran out of the chips that made them sound the way they sound, and they had to redesign them. . .hence the SDE 2.
I have the first version of the black one (used to have two of them). And, it's one piece I would never, ever get rid of. I also have a SDE 3000 but actually prefer the Chandler for a set and forget ambient delay.
I could never get the modulation to sound like the SDE3000 though. The Chandler's modulation sounds more like that fucked up tape delay modulation, where you actually hear the tape warping. When I had two of them, I used one just for chorus, and it was great.
I have the first version of the black one (used to have two of them). And, it's one piece I would never, ever get rid of. I also have a SDE 3000 but actually prefer the Chandler for a set and forget ambient delay.
I could never get the modulation to sound like the SDE3000 though. The Chandler's modulation sounds more like that fucked up tape delay modulation, where you actually hear the tape warping. When I had two of them, I used one just for chorus, and it was great.
reverymike
Active member
The Beige and first version of the black are both USA made. I think the SDE2 was made in Japan.
IntenseJim
Active member
PM TGPs GAT: he had a Chandler rack delay and sold it; he now has a TC2290 like you and has gone through many delays.
metalmaniac93
Well-known member
Beige or the first black model. I sold mine last year!!! Great delay. I have three SDE3000s so i did not use the Chandler much!!!
5150clone
New member
I had 2 beige ones in the early 90's .used them for a little bit. They were cool and everything but too much of a tone sucker. They sat in boxes for years and i sold them for $300 a piece couple years back
T
TrueTone500
Banned
New member
The Chandler sits well in a mix, but not as good when the 'hi-cut' is turned off. Without the hi-cut it sounds like an average delay pedal to me, but still closer to analog than most digitals. I would compare its performance to maybe a Rocktron 'Replifex'. The downside to the Chandler is its lack of headroom, which I think is typical with most 9 volt devices.
In only 1 month of owning it, my TC 2290 has become an integral part of my rig. The switching system alone was worth the price I paid for it. I remember seeing pictures of pro players back in the 1980's with a TC 2290, but for some reason I never looked into purchasing one?
In only 1 month of owning it, my TC 2290 has become an integral part of my rig. The switching system alone was worth the price I paid for it. I remember seeing pictures of pro players back in the 1980's with a TC 2290, but for some reason I never looked into purchasing one?
Shark Diver
New member
I have 3 TC 2290s. Love them. Eyeing a few Chandlers on Ebay. Just never tried one and I have heard good things. Probably will get one to try, and if I don't like it I don't think I will lose too much $. thanks fo the input guys 
metalmaniac93
Well-known member
Stick with the 2290s and do not look any further!!! I have three SDE3000s that I will keep until I cannot play anymore.