Echo Delay Pedal

Echo Delay Pedal
Can someone explain the difference between a tape delay pedal and delay pedal?

Real quick question! I play a lot of Jimi Hendrix, and I don't know a whole lot about pedals, there's just too many out there, too many brands, and too much confusion. Anyways, I got sidetracked! Jimi used a lot of fuzz pedals, but he also actually used a tape delay pedal. So, I began researching tape delay pedals, and I'm real close to purchasing the Danelectro "Reel Echo" Echoplex Tape Delay Pedal. My question is, what the hell is the difference between tape delay pedals and just delay pedals?

Tape delay is analog. Before the digital revolution, the only way to
simulate echo (delay) was to record it onto tape.
The tape delay was simply a loop of magnetic tape.
There would be one erase head, one record head, and two or
more playback heads. The signal would go on to the tape,
and reach the playback head after a certain interval had elapsed.
The greater the distance between the record and playback heads,
the longer the delay. And decay could be adjusted by changing
the output level of the record head.
At the playback head, the signal would be sent in two
directions; one, back to the record head, and the other
to the units' output.
A digital delay, converts the analog input signal to digital information,
which is simply stored on a memory chip, and fed out at
preselected time intervals, and converts the data back to analog.

The problem with tape delays was lots of mechanical parts that
would wear out, including the tape itself. And they tended to be
big, heavy and expensive.
A "Roland, Space Echo" went for about $600,
and was as big as a make-up case.

As you know, a digital signal is nothing more than numbers
(zeros and ones) which are reproduced with 100% accuracy.

The tape echo had one attribute than current players miss:
Due to the limitations of magnetic tape, each repeat would come
out slightly different from the original input signal.
This "error" would increase each time the signal was re-recorded
and replayed. If the unit was set for "infinate repeats", in a few
seconds you'ld wind up with unintelegable sonic "mush".
Listen to the ending of "The Monkees, Pleasant Valley Sunday",
for an example.

In answer to this trend, some pedal makers are including a
"tape" setting (optional on some kinds) where a deliberate
"error" is programmed into the chip's output, which does a good
job of simulating this effect.

Who makes a better delay pedal, electro harmonix or boss?

I have a $100 gift card for guitar center and I need a delay pedal. Is there a big difference between the #1 Echo and the DE-whatever?

I notice you only mentioned digital delays. Either of the pedals you mentioned will work fine for you. I used a DD-3 and a DD-6 for years to supplement my AD-990 and AD-9 analog delays because they had short delay times.

Of the two you mentioned, I prefer a Carling type stomp switch like the EH has. Like I said though either one will do.

If you want to try an analog, EH has one in your price range. The Memory Toy is an analog delay with longer delay times. It has a chorus modulation effect on it, but you don't have to use that. I'd suggest trying one out before you buy. You may be like me and enjoy the analog delay sound better.