The Chuck Pedals Blue Dream is a spring reverb pedal from the small builder Chuck Pedals. Delicious Audio's New Pedals write-up describes it as a solid little unit that produces a versatile, organic reverb, capable of decay times of up to 2.85 seconds1. For a player, that puts it in Fender-style spring reverb territory: the same review says that if you are just looking for a splash of Fender-like spring reverb, the pedal definitely has you covered1.
The pedal was updated to a V2, reviewed by Pedal of the Day in December 2015. That review called it a hidden gem, saying the Blue Dream V2 features the same sparkling, robust and awe-inspiring reverberated sounds as the V1 did2.
The four knobs on the V2
The V2 carries four control knobs, one more than the three knobs on the previous version2. Pedal of the Day runs through what each does:
| Knob | What it does |
|---|---|
| Deja | Adjusts the overall decay of the reverberated signal; new to the V22 |
| Daze | Adjusts feedback levels, described as one of the most useful controls on the pedal2 |
| Mood | Acts as an equalizer for the reverb, adding in higher or lower frequencies where you see fit2 |
| Verb | Controls the amount of reverb the pedal produces, from a slight echo to a full-bodied, lush, powerful reverb2 |
The Deja knob is the headline addition. It starts off the control section and adjusts the overall decay of the reverberated signal, which is what opens up the pedal's longer decay times2. Delicious Audio adds a note on the mix side: turning up the mix knob can even cover some chorus territory1.
From V1 to V2
The Blue Dream V2 is an updated version of the Blue Dream V1, released in December 20152. The core change is the control layout: the previous version only featured three knobs, and the V2 adds the Deja decay knob to them2. Pedal of the Day, which was sent the newly upgraded pedal by the maker, heard no loss in the change, describing the V2 as producing the same reverberated sounds as the V12.
The same review also speaks to how the pedal sits in a signal chain: it produces an even-keel level of effect, without compromising your original tone a lot2. Combined with true bypass and hand-built construction using audio grade components, that is the practical picture of the pedal: a straightforward spring reverb that stays out of your dry tone when off and adds organic reverb when on2.
What reviewers said
The two published write-ups agree on the pedal's character. Delicious Audio's verdict:
"The Blue Dream isn't one of those pedals that creates crazy reverb sounds, but what it does produce is a versatile, organic reverb."
That review frames the pedal as a fit for single-coil pickups into a clean amp, with the Fender-like spring splash as its home ground and a chorus-adjacent zone at high mix1. Pedal of the Day's Mike B was warmer still, calling the Blue Dream a hidden gem and praising the Daze feedback control as one of the most useful on the pedal2. Neither review frames it as an experimental reverb: it is a conventional spring reverb pedal, judged on how well it does that one thing.
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Questions
Is the Chuck Pedals Blue Dream true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review of the Blue Dream Reverb V2 notes that the pedal features true bypass, uses high quality audio grade components, and is built by hand individually. That matters for players who run long pedalboards, since a true bypass pedal takes itself completely out of the signal path when switched off.
What does the Deja knob do on the Blue Dream V2?
The Deja knob sits at the start of the V2's control section and adjusts the overall decay of the reverberated signal. It is the control added for the V2: the earlier Blue Dream V1 had only three knobs, and the Deja knob is what brings the pedal's longer decay times into reach.
What is the difference between the Blue Dream V1 and V2?
The V2 is an updated version of the Blue Dream V1. The main change is a fourth knob: the V1 had three controls, while the V2 adds the Deja knob, which adjusts the overall decay of the reverb. Pedal of the Day described the V2 as producing the same sparkling, robust and awe-inspiring reverberated sounds as the V1.
Is the Blue Dream handmade?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review of the Blue Dream Reverb V2 says the pedal is built by hand individually, using high quality audio grade components. Chuck Pedals is a small builder, and the Blue Dream was covered as a hidden gem when the V2 was released in December 2015.
Does the Blue Dream work well with single-coil pickups?
Delicious Audio's write-up of the Blue Dream describes it as a versatile, organic reverb that suits single-coil pickups into a clean amp. The same review notes it is not a pedal for crazy reverb sounds overall, but that it covers Fender-like spring reverb well and can even cover some chorus territory when you turn up the mix knob.
Sources (2)
- New Pedals: Chuck Pedals Blue Dream, Delicious Audio, 2015-12-31
- Chuck Pedals Blue Dream Reverb V2, Pedal of the Day, 2015-12-07