why do guys use delay when soloing?

[Thor Von Clemson]

I was listening to Herman Li, Petrucci, and Rusty Cooley and noticed they all use a bit of delay in their lead tones... granted that Petrucci uses a bit of EVERYTHING in his tones but hey..

It seems a lot of shredders use some delay. Is it because it helps tie the notes together and makes the solo more fluid?

[Grandturk]

Three things it does for me - hides mistakes, smooths the pick attack and fills out the mix.

[Endrik]

because dry tone just blows donkey cock when playing single notes. Seriously!!!

And it just not the shredders, every great lead player uses delay or reverb. (wheter it's from pedals, effect units, amp or mixing board)

[GodOfRhythm]

From Petrucci himself (on his Boss stereo delay effects):

"I love the way it makes it breathe more and adds more room and space to the sound, in addition to making it smoother"

[jjw]

gives you more depth,but its an art in its self to get the right wetness so it doesnt mask your playing.I use delay on some lead settings but am normaly happy enough for a room reverb just to add that space needed>

[jcm800x]

I like it for bending and hiding sloppy picking!

[Newc]

Yeah, what Petrucci said.

I try to keep it set low so you hear it mostly after sudden stops. It sounds a bit like an echo rather than reverberation, which can get muddy or tinny, but I do have a couple of things where it's louder so I can play with the taps (good for working on your timing).

[MBreinin]

It fills out the sound and smoothens it. I can't stand an all dry sound when soloing. Dry is ok for rhythm...but not solos. Of course, I always use a little grease, but it is not too wet.

Oh, it also hides mistakes and slop!!!

Mike

[ApeDosMil]

It sounds smooth.

[horns666]

yes..always..for all the above reasons..

[Dreamland_Rebel]

cause it sounds good .

[drockilles]

or so you can be badass and harmonize a long delay a la nuno

[khabibissell]

I know that delay or any effect for that matter can add color and enhance your tone, but I don't use anything other than an overdrive or wah in my signal for the reason many people stated above... it hides mistakes. When I have tried using it I felt like I was cheating. Also, the other guitar guitar player in my band runs a very wet signal and things would sound like mush it I did the same.

[demeyes]

I've never been a huge fan of reverb or delays in solos. A little is alright but I'm sick of hearing players on the net masking their playing with a wall of mush.
It depends on the style of music too. I think it works better in more epic light rock solos than heavier styles.

[horns666]

Oh it will sound like MUSH if it's too wet..just a little is all ya need..