The Loophole Pedals rehoused Ibanez DE7 Delay Echo is the well-regarded Ibanez DE-7 delay from Ibanez's Tone-Lok series, removed from its original plastic-ish housing and rebuilt in a new, much sturdier enclosure by Loophole Pedals. The circuit is the same delay/echo pedal players know, but the hardware around it is upgraded: toggle switches replace the original slider switches, the footswitch is swapped for an industrial clickless one, and the jacks, pots and power jack are all upgraded as standard12.
What a rehouse is, and why the DE7
A rehoused pedal keeps the original circuit but moves it into a new enclosure, often with better hardware in the process. The DE7 was a natural candidate. Pedal of the Day's 2015 review of the stock pedal called it "a true go-to delay for many players around the world, and absolutely debunks the myth that pedals have to be expensive to sound incredible," while also noting that the original slider switches were hard to use14. Delicious Audio's review of the DE-7 places it in Ibanez's Tone-Lok series of effects, with Delay and Echo modes tweaked via delay time, repeat and delay level knobs2.
The original DE7 is out of current production and is found secondhand at pawn shops and Craigslist, which is part of why a rehouse service made sense: players with a working unit could have it rebuilt rather than replace it4.
What Loophole Pedals changes
Pedal of the Day's 2018 review of the rehouse lists the changes:
- A new enclosure, "tall, sturdy, thick and oh so shiny," each one individually powder coated and color UV printed1
- Toggle switches added in place of the hard-to-use slider switches on the original1
- The footswitch upgraded to an industrial clickless one1
- Upgraded audio jacks, alpha pots and power jack as standard1
The controls themselves carry over from the stock DE7: Delay Time, Repeat and Delay Level are the main attractions, with a selection switch to move between Echo and Delay modes4. In Echo mode the pedal gives analog-like repeats and warm echoes, with the repeats becoming darker and quieter; Delicious Audio notes that with the repeat knob on 10, the Echo setting can be overdriven into self oscillation, controllable by sweeping the delay knob for different pitches32.
"The actual sound of the DE7 is really remarkable, too, from such an underrated and inexpensive piece of guitar gear"
Size and pedalboard fit
The rehoused enclosure is tall. Pedal of the Day describes it as standing tall enough to work in the back row of a pedalboard, and for reference notes that it rises above the back of a Moog MoogerFooger MF-104M Delay, itself a tall pedal1. Players planning a low-profile board should account for that height; players stacking a second row get a unit that is easy to see and reach.
Availability
Pedal of the Day's November 2018 review was unsure whether Loophole Pedals was still offering the DE7 rehouse, saying it is apparently quite labor-intensive1. The stock DE7 remains a secondhand find4.
For the underlying pedal in its original form, see the Ibanez Tone-Lok DE7 Delay/Echo page, or browse other Delay Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What is a rehoused pedal?
A rehoused pedal is an existing effects pedal removed from its original enclosure and installed in a new, usually larger and sturdier one. The circuit stays the same, so it sounds the same, but the builder can also upgrade hardware along the way. On the Loophole Pedals DE7, the new enclosure came with toggle switches replacing the original sliders, an industrial clickless footswitch, upgraded audio jacks, alpha pots and a new power jack.
What does Loophole Pedals change on the Ibanez DE7?
Loophole Pedals moves the DE7 circuit into a new enclosure that is individually powder coated and color UV printed. Toggle switches are added in place of the original hard-to-use slider switches, the footswitch is upgraded to an industrial clickless one, and upgraded audio jacks, alpha pots and a power jack are standard on the rehouse.
Does the rehoused DE7 use toggle switches instead of sliders?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's 2018 review notes that toggle switches are added in place of the hard-to-use slider switches on the original DE7, which is one of the main practical reasons players sought out the rehouse.
Is the Loophole rehoused DE7 still available?
Possibly not. Pedal of the Day's November 2018 review said they were not sure whether Loophole Pedals was still doing the DE7 rehouse, as it is apparently quite labor-intensive. The underlying Ibanez DE7 itself is also out of current production and turns up secondhand.
How tall is the Loophole rehoused DE7 compared with the original?
Pedal of the Day describes the new enclosure as tall, sturdy, thick and shiny, and says it stands tall enough to work in the back row of a pedalboard. For reference, they noted it rises above the back of a Moog MoogerFooger MF-104M Delay, a pedal known for its substantial height.
Sources (4)
- Loophole Pedals Rehoused Ibanez DE7 Delay Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2018-11-01
- Oldie But Goldie: Ibanez DE-7 Delay, Delicious Audio, 2011-05-13
- Ibanez Tone-Lok DE7 Delay/Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2014-06-13
- Ibanez DE7 Delay Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2015-11-27
