The Daredevil Pedals Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 is a compact delay pedal built to add drive tones to lo-fi, analog tape-style repeats. It is the second version of the Bootleg Dirty Delay from Chicago-based boutique builder Johnny Wator, a.k.a. Daredevil Pedals, and it launched in November 2021 at an RRP of USD 18912. Where the original red V1 carried an external tap tempo input, the V2 strips that out and keeps the same core circuit, making it the more affordable of the two23.
Under the hood it is a digital delay built on the Princeton 2399 IC processor, a chip the maker uses to emulate bucket-brigade analog delay circuits and vintage tape machines14. Gearnews described the result as "nice and lo-fi/grungy," a digital delay circuit with a drive control aimed at dirty, tape-like repeats2.
A lo-fi delay with drive
What separates the Bootleg from most delay pedals is the Dirt section of the circuit, which adds gain to the repeats themselves rather than to your whole signal4. Turn the Dirt control up and each echo gets grittier, in the direction of a worn tape echo, while your dry tone stays untouched. Daredevil designed the pedal to give classic tones similar to vintage tape machines, emulating the bucket-brigade analog delay circuits that preceded modern digital designs4.
The lo-fi character comes from the chip choice. The Princeton 2399 is a delay IC that Daredevil Pedals uses to achieve the analog feel of old-school bucket-brigade delays, so the repeats degrade and darken in a way players associate with tape and BBD units rather than clean digital echo2.
Premier Guitar reviewed the original Bootleg Dirty Delay in August 2021 and summed up the design:
"Characterful analog delay cleverly designed to enhance the distortion inherent in classic tape echoes. Well built and simple to use."6
The controls
The Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 keeps the control set simple, with four knobs2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Blend | Sets the level of the delay repeats against your dry signal2 |
| Reps | Controls how long the delay repeats itself5 |
| Time | Sets the delay time, from around 40ms at minimum to roughly 400ms at maximum1 |
| Dirt | Adds gain to the repeats, the drive section of the circuit4 |
The 40ms to 400ms range puts this pedal in slapback and short-repeat territory rather than long ambient delay13. MusicRadar noted the range when covering the launch, and Gearnews suggested it is enough "to add a little extra body" to a playing setup32.
What changed from V1
The V1's tap system had its own rules. Two taps within range were enough to set the interval, and the pedal averaged the last five in-range taps. Tapping intervals from 38ms to 1.12 seconds registered as a tap; if the tapped interval was larger than 560ms (below 108 bpm), the pedal automatically halved the value, effectively giving eighth notes. Saved tap values reset after 1.12 seconds of inactivity4.
The V2 removes all of that. Daredevil's product page states plainly that the second version is without the tap tempo feature, and both Gearnews and MusicRadar confirmed the external tap input is gone at launch123. In exchange, the price dropped from the V1's $199 street price to USD 189 RRP25. The original is now listed as sold out on Daredevil's discontinued page4.
If you want tap tempo, you want the V1, not the V2. The V1 is sold out at the maker, so the V2's knob-set Time control is the only way to set delay time on current units.
Bypass and trails
The V2 is hand wired and true bypass1. As with old analog pedals, stepping on the bypass switch cuts the delay effect off immediately rather than letting repeats fade out. Daredevil's workaround for players who want trails: place a tuner in front of the Bootleg, so you can mute your input while the delay trails continue1.
Power: 9V, about 25mA
The Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 runs only on an external 9V DC power source, through a 2.1mm center pin connector with negative ground1. Current draw is about 25 mA1.
There is no battery option. The pedal runs only on external 9V DC power, so it needs a spot on a power supply before it goes on the board1.
The 9V DC, ~25 mA spec was confirmed by both Gearnews and MusicRadar at launch23.
Where it is made
The Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 is designed and built in Chicago2. Daredevil Pedals is the operation of Chicago-based boutique builder Johnny Wator, who released the original Bootleg Dirty Delay in January 20195. Every unit is hand wired1.
Videos
Daredevil Pedals
Questions
Does the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 have tap tempo?
No. The V2 drops the tap tempo feature entirely. The original red V1 Bootleg Dirty Delay had an external tap tempo input that worked with a momentary switch, but the second version removes it, which is part of what makes the V2 the more affordable option.
Is the Daredevil Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 true bypass?
Yes. Daredevil Pedals states the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 is hand wired and true bypass. Stepping on the bypass switch cuts the delay effect off, just like old analog pedals. To mute your input while letting trails continue, the maker suggests placing a tuner in front of the Bootleg.
What is the delay time range of the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2?
The delay time runs from around 40ms at the minimum Time setting to roughly 400ms at the maximum. That is a short-to-medium range suited to slapback and tighter repeats rather than long ambient delays.
How much does the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 cost?
The V2 launched at an RRP of USD 189 in November 2021, a lower price than the original, which carried a street price of $199 when it was released in January 2019. The original Bootleg Dirty Delay is now listed as sold out.
Is the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 analog or digital?
It is a digital delay. The circuit uses a Princeton 2399 IC processor, a chip Daredevil chose to achieve the feel of old-school bucket-brigade analog delays, so the repeats have lo-fi, tape-style character even though the delay line itself is digital.
Where is the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 made?
It is designed and built in Chicago. Daredevil Pedals is the Chicago-based boutique builder of Johnny Wator, and the Bootleg Dirty Delay V2 is hand wired there.
Sources (6)
- BOOTLEG DIRTY DELAY V2, Daredevil Pedals
- Daredevil Pedals Bootleg Dirty Delay V2: A dirty repeater, gearnews.com, 2021-11-30
- Daredevil rolls out streamlined Bootleg Dirty Delay Volume 2, offering gain control for adding texture to your repeats, MusicRadar, 2021-11-30
- BOOTLEG DIRTY DELAY, Daredevil Pedals
- Daredevil Releases the Bootleg Dirty Delay, Premier Guitar, 2019-01-10
- Daredevil Bootleg Dirty Delay Review, Premier Guitar, 2019-05-15
