"This is an unusual pedal": Boss SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay review

Somehow Boss has condensed an iconic '80s rack unit down to a compact pedal – has something got to give?

Boss SDE-3 Dual Delay
(Image: © Olly Curtis / Future)

Guitar World Verdict

All in all, on features, sounds, and compact form factor it's hard to fault the SDE-3. The question is, if you fall in love with its sound, and have any space left on your 'board, whether you will always be looking at the SDE-3000D, wondering what could have been.

Pros

  • +

    Great sounds

  • +

    Intuitive Boss interface

  • +

    Stereo delay and doubler

Cons

  • -

    Interface not as cool as SDE-3000D

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Boss SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay: What is it?

The SDE-3 is a new compact delay pedal offering from Boss, aiming to distill something of the magic of 2023's DeLorean-like SDE-3000D delay. The SDE-3000D is a reissue of the rack SDE-3000, famously used by studios, session guitarists, and one Edward Van Halen throughout the '80s.

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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Build qualityA typically robust pedal from Boss★★★★★
UsabilityDual pots take adjustment but it soon becomes intuitive ★★★★½
SoundsThe Offset mode is the star of an impressive show ★★★★★
OverallNot as much of a compromise as some might imagine for the size ★★★★½

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Alex Lynham

Alex Lynham is a gear obsessive who's been collecting and building modern and vintage equipment since he got his first Saturday job. Besides reviewing countless pedals for Total Guitar, he's written guides on how to build your first pedal, how to build a tube amp from a kit, and briefly went viral when he released a glitch delay pedal, the Atom Smasher.