The Boss SDE-3000 EVH Dual Delay is a delay pedal that puts Eddie Van Halen's rack delay setup into a pedalboard-friendly format. The original Roland SDE-3000 was a 1980s rackmount unit, and Van Halen ran two of them in a wet/dry/wet configuration, using different delay rates and modulation to thicken and lend dimension to his solos1. Boss reissued that classic as a pedal, and the EVH edition carries a set of presets designed by Edward Van Halen himself, replicating his wet/dry/wet setup from his three cabinet rig2.
Eddie Van Halen's wet/dry/wet setup in a pedal
The original SDE-3000 earned its place in guitar history through Van Halen's rig. As Premier Guitar's review of the SDE-3 line notes, Eddie Van Halen ran two of them in a wet-dry-wet configuration, using different delay rates and modulation to thicken and lend dimension to solos1. gearnews.com called it Eddie's favorite delay and noted that Boss even made a signature version5.
The EVH edition brings that approach to a pedal. Eddie himself worked with Boss to ensure the pedal delivered exactly what he wanted, and the presets replicate his wet/dry/wet setup from his three cabinet arrangement2. The retro design with EVH's iconic Frankenstein stripes houses the features2.
"Eddie himself worked with BOSS to ensure this pedal delivered exactly what he wanted."
Delay time ranges and outputs
The pedal offers widely adjustable delay time with two range settings: 0 to 1500 ms and 0 to 3000 ms4. The related SDE-3000D Dual Digital Delay shares those same two ranges4, and Guitar Pedal X lists the SDE-3000's range as 1 to 3000 ms6.
The output arrangement is what makes the wet/dry/wet hookup work: the SDE-3000 EVH has separate Direct, Left and Right outputs2. That means the dry signal can feed one amp while the delayed left and right signals feed others. The SDE-3000D, by comparison, has two inputs and two outputs for dual mono, wet/dry, or stereo setups7.
Stereo rigs and related models
Players without a three-amp wet/dry/wet rig are covered too. Alongside the EVH presets, Van Halen also created presets designed to work with a conventional stereo amplifier rig2.
The SDE-3000 EVH is one of several SDE-3000 descendants. Boss also makes the SDE-3000D Dual Digital Delay3 and the compact BOSS SDE-33, both recreations of the original rack unit.
Price
The SDE-3000 EVH launched at $599 USD in May 20232. At launch it was also listed at Thomann for $419.00, £382.00 or 446.00 euros2. Guitar Pedal X, writing in October 2023, put the SDE-3000 line at $499 and $599 for the EVH edition6.
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Questions
Who designed the Boss SDE-3000 EVH Dual Delay?
Eddie Van Halen worked with Boss on the pedal to make sure it delivered what he wanted. It carries a set of EVH presets designed by Edward Van Halen himself, replicating his wet/dry/wet setup from his three cabinet rig, and the enclosure wears his Frankenstein stripes.
How long is the delay time on the SDE-3000 EVH?
The pedal offers widely adjustable delay time with two range settings: 0 to 1500 ms and 0 to 3000 ms. The related SDE-3000D Dual Digital Delay shares the same two ranges.
Does the SDE-3000 EVH work with a stereo amp setup?
Yes. Alongside the wet/dry/wet presets, Eddie Van Halen created presets designed to work with a conventional stereo amplifier rig, so players with two amps or a stereo rig can use the pedal without rebuilding their setup.
What outputs does the Boss SDE-3000 EVH have?
The SDE-3000 EVH has separate Direct, Left and Right outputs, which is what makes a wet/dry/wet hookup possible: the dry signal goes to one amp while the delayed left and right signals go to others.
How much does the Boss SDE-3000 EVH cost?
The pedal launched at $599 USD in May 2023. At launch it was also listed at Thomann for $419.00, £382.00 or 446.00 euros.
Sources (7)
- Boss SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay Review, Premier Guitar, 2024-12-31
- Eddie's 80s Classic Returns! BOSS reissues the SDE-3000, gearnews.com, 2023-05-18
- The BOSS SDE-3 Dual Digital Delay Masterclass, BOSS (articles.boss.info), 2024-09-05
- BOSS - SDE-3000D | Dual Digital Delay, Boss (boss.info)
- Boss SDE-3: The Legendary 80s Digital Delay is back, gearnews.com, 2024-09-05
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-10-30
- Boss SDE-3000D Dual Digital Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2023-10-07
