SavageRiffer
Banned
New member
I've been using a Diamond Memory Lane Jr. for a few years but recently ended up acquiring a Maxon AD9. I set them side by side and at first seemed obvious that the MLJ was clearer and more versatile, but there was something about the AD9 which kept me from moving moving it off the board. Now three weeks later and both delays are still side by side and I can't figure out which one I like more. I have no use for more than one delay so one must go.
Here's the thing that makes it hard to decide. At first the AD9 seemed a little muddy until I figured out how to dial in the delay for more distorted sounds, then it became a warm, organic delay that sounds like a natural element of the amp tone. In comparison, the MLJ is very articulate but still warm and natural. Sometimes it sounds a bit like the delay is riding on top of my tone but I think that is because the controls are so active that any little nudge can throw the delay off. I'm considering buying smaller knobs by the way.
The MLJ is more versatile with the tap tempo and modulation, and has a wider delay range than the AD9. I want to say that the Maxon has a slightly better tone, but then again the MLJ has a great tone too so it's hard to say for sure. Sometimes it seems like I can get away with more on the AD9 than the MLJ because of the way it melds with the fundamental tone. Sometimes I can't get 100% perfect mix on the MLJ because it's so clear that I sometimes stumble over the delayed notes when soloing, but turning down the mix makes for a weaker delay. That could be the difference there perhaps, whereas the AD9 has a better ability to become subtle and the MLJ kind of just becomes weaker at a lower mix level. I know that sounds like the same difference but this slight difference exists.
As far as I'm concerned there is nothing that can beat a Maxon pedal. Other pedals can offer more or something different, but the Maxon tone is extremely well crafted in my opion. That being said, I went through a lot of delays before the MLJ and ended up sticking with it because I thought it was the best delay out there. I know it sounds like I should just keep both, but I'm a home noodler and can't justify having two delays. I'd like to hear what other people's opinions are on these two delays.
Here's the thing that makes it hard to decide. At first the AD9 seemed a little muddy until I figured out how to dial in the delay for more distorted sounds, then it became a warm, organic delay that sounds like a natural element of the amp tone. In comparison, the MLJ is very articulate but still warm and natural. Sometimes it sounds a bit like the delay is riding on top of my tone but I think that is because the controls are so active that any little nudge can throw the delay off. I'm considering buying smaller knobs by the way.
The MLJ is more versatile with the tap tempo and modulation, and has a wider delay range than the AD9. I want to say that the Maxon has a slightly better tone, but then again the MLJ has a great tone too so it's hard to say for sure. Sometimes it seems like I can get away with more on the AD9 than the MLJ because of the way it melds with the fundamental tone. Sometimes I can't get 100% perfect mix on the MLJ because it's so clear that I sometimes stumble over the delayed notes when soloing, but turning down the mix makes for a weaker delay. That could be the difference there perhaps, whereas the AD9 has a better ability to become subtle and the MLJ kind of just becomes weaker at a lower mix level. I know that sounds like the same difference but this slight difference exists.
As far as I'm concerned there is nothing that can beat a Maxon pedal. Other pedals can offer more or something different, but the Maxon tone is extremely well crafted in my opion. That being said, I went through a lot of delays before the MLJ and ended up sticking with it because I thought it was the best delay out there. I know it sounds like I should just keep both, but I'm a home noodler and can't justify having two delays. I'd like to hear what other people's opinions are on these two delays.
