why do guys use delay when soloing?

[drockilles]

And you can't really feel anything if it's too wet either.

[Endrik]

I have yet to hear a good lead tone without delay or reverb

[rjohnstone]

I use delay mainly to help smooth out my some what choppy picking technique.
And yea... to cover up mistakes.

[horns666]

And you can't really feel anything if it's too wet either.

Yeah that's common. Good thing my wife had a C-section..so it's still all good..

[Soap]

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

Yep, sooooo true.
If we could just get the many that doesn't understand this, to understand it.

I can't count the times I've told various players I managed to play with, "back off your delay your killing me man, it sounds awful."
The response I got most of the time, "I love it."
Only you would you over saturated delay moron.
It only takes a touch of it and your golden.

[jgcable]

I agree with JP. I love a nice light reverb and delay for my solo's.

[horns666]

Yep, sooooo true.
If we could just get the many that doesn't understand this, to understand it.

I can't count the times I've told various players I managed to play with, "back off your delay your killing me man, it sounds awful."
The response I got most of the time, "I love it."
Only you would you over saturated delay moron.
It only takes a touch of it and your golden.

Yeah besides I noticed that dudes that use delays especially A LOT get really F'd up when they play live at times. Due to that the sound man will add verb or delay on top on their own effects..and then it REALLY sounds like shit..

JG should be able to confirm that..I dealt with that before..and heard my buds Cleveland John and a couple other friends turn to mush when that happens..then I gotta tell 'em to back it off..your standing by your amp, so you think everything's fine..walk out to the front of the PA to see how your tone is being conveyed to the crowd..

When and if you do use delay or verb ..let the soundman know..hopefully he won't be too high, drunk or dense not to forget forget..

[charvelguy]

I started to use mine because I really could not count on the soundman to be there with delay on my solos and I felt naked being dry in the mix. I used an old Multivox analog tape which was quite warm and adds a bit of drive to the preamp as well as a mid boost. It has a decent reverb built in. So.. I use a light reverb and a various amount of delay depending on the tune.
Like everyone has said.. use too much.. it sounds like crap.

[memphiskat]

So anyone what to post some examples of their settings?
When you say just a bit of delay, how much are you talking about? Delay time? Mix? Repeats? Just curious if one persons "a little" is anothers "too much". Karl

[Endrik]

350ms, repeats/feedback 30%, level 30%

[JC_Denton]

+1

[rjohnstone]

350ms, repeats/feedback 30%, level 30%

Almsot the same here.
300ms repeat, FB at 25%, level 35%

[Bryan]

+1 here. My delay settings are in that area as well.

[wicked_lester]

350ms, repeats/feedback 30%, level 30%

Very close to what I like, with the level cranked back to about 20%