Garland FX Cosmo Delay

The Garland FX Cosmo Delay is a delay pedal from Garland FX, previously built under the name Garland Guitar Services. Pedal of the Day describes the current version as "a hybrid Analog-Digital delay pedal" based around a PT2399 circuit, the same chip found in many compact delays, including the Hello Sailor Effects SeaWolf PT2399 Delay¹. The site first covered the pedal in 2014 under the Garland Guitar Services name and returned in 2021 to review an updated version¹.

What it does to your sound

The original 2014 Cosmo Delay was described by Pedal of the Day's reviewer Mike B as "a warm, dark analog delay" with an analog-style character, with the delay time maxing out at 700ms². The updated version reviewed in 2021 covers a wider spread: "Covering a wide range of tones, from faux reverb to near 1-second looping, this effect suits lo-fi junkies and blues rockers alike"¹.

The Pre Boost is the feature that sets the Cosmo apart from a plain three-knob delay. Pedal of the Day describes it as a feature that "ups your signal and tosses a little grit into the mix, reminiscent of your favorite vintage analog delay"¹. In practice that means the pedal can push itself toward the saturated, darkening character of an old bucket-brigade unit rather than staying clean.

The controls

The 2014 version shipped with unlabeled knobs, which the reviewer identified as Volume, Feedback and Time, calling it "a nice, simple delay, but one not to be thrown into the 'boring' bin by any means"². The specs list for that version named the knobs as Mix, Time, and Feedback².

Self-oscillation

Self-oscillation is a documented feature on both versions. On the 2014 pedal, Mike B wrote that "The Feedback knob itself allows the pedal to completely self-oscillate"². On the updated version, the same behavior is described as the Feedback knob getting "into wild oscillation territory when turned up"¹. For players who use runaway delays as a texture, this is a pedal that will do it from the front panel.

What reviewers said

Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal twice, in 2014 and 2021, and came away positive both times. Of the updated version, the site wrote: "we love that Pat was able to improve on an already stellar delay pedal"¹. The 2014 review framed the pedal as simple but characterful, with the warm, dark repeats and self-oscillation doing the heavy lifting².

If you are comparing PT2399-based delays, the Hello Sailor Effects SeaWolf PT2399 Delay is another hand-wired take on the same chip, with a Volume/Boost control and a delay time range of 25ms to 425ms³. You can find more delay circuits of every flavor on the Delay Pedals type page.

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