Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory BoyFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 22 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment60%
PROS 60%
CONS 40%

Rank based on 22 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want tap tempo, modulation, and an effects loop on a budget analog delay
  • You like dark, warm, lo-fi/mushy repeats for psychedelic or ambient textures
  • You want expression pedal control over feedback and delay parameters

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You prefer brighter, clearer repeats like the old Memory Man or DM-2
  • You want the simplest, cheapest option (some say the Memory Toy sounds just as good for less)
  • You need guaranteed long-term reliability without knob/circuit issues

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Boy
Distinctive dark, warm toneVersatile for creative soundsFeature-rich for the priceFeature confusion/ambiguityCheaper Memory Toy often preferredReported reliability issues
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Boy
Distinctive dark, warm tone
Versatile for creative sounds
Feature-rich for the price
Feature confusion/ambiguity
Cheaper Memory Toy often preferred
Reported reliability issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A darker, murkier voice than its EHX siblings. Multiple commenters place the Deluxe Memory Boy in a distinctly darker, more atmospheric tonal group compared to the brighter Memory Man and grainier Memory Toy. Some love this warmth and dark contrast against bright clean tones, while others find the repeats mushy or muddled compared to clearer vintage analog delays like the DM-2, wishing for more clarity while keeping the extra features.

Loaded with features for the price. Reviewers repeatedly highlight tap tempo, subdivisions, built-in modulation, an effects loop, and expression pedal options as strong value at its price point, with one calling $180 reasonable given the feature set. Users also enjoy creative extras like square wave modulation, an octave trick in the fx loop, and running it at 12v for extra gain and sensitivity.

Mixed views versus cheaper siblings and some reliability concerns. Several commenters say the cheaper Memory Toy sounds just as good or better for less money, questioning the Deluxe's added cost. A few users also report problems, including a feedback knob failing after days of use and a unit where only the gain knob affected the sound, raising some durability concerns alongside the pedal's praised versatility.

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