The SFG Music Supply Back Burner Vintage Delay is a short delay pedal built for one job: the slapback echo that started with country and rockabilly. Pedal of the Day's review describes it as "focused solely on the famed 'slapback' sound that started with country and rockabilly," and the same site later called it "a sweet short delay slapback gem"12.
What it does to your sound
The Back Burner is built around a PT2399 integrated circuit chip set up to deliver a short maximum length of repeats, which keeps it in slapback territory rather than long-echo delay territory1. Slapback is the single, quick echo that sits just behind your picked note, the sound behind '50s recordings and modern chicken pickin'. The reviewer put it this way:
"Classic '50s sounds, chicken pickin' country licks and more come pouring out as you twist and turn these knobs."
The same review calls it "a subtle but tasty addition to practically any style of music," so while its roots are country and rockabilly, it is not limited to them1.
Controls
The pedal has only two knobs, which the review says makes it easy to operate and quick to dial in usable tones1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Acts as the delay time control. The top delay times are relatively short, but there is a decent amount of range1 |
| Decay | The decay and repeats control, paired with the Rate knob to form a simple, easy-to-maneuver control section1 |
How reviewers received it
Pedal of the Day's Mike B reviewed the Back Burner in February 2016 and described it as "one of those set-it-and-forget-it pedals, one that you know EXACTLY what applications it will flourish" in, best used tastefully1. He also praised the pedal's appearance, saying he loved the graphics on these pedals1. A follow-up review of the company's Privateer overdrive the next month looked back on the Back Burner as "a sweet short delay slapback gem"2.
The review covers the 2016 black and red version of the Back Burner1. SFG Music Supply is a small builder, so availability may vary.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What chip does the SFG Back Burner Vintage Delay use?
The Back Burner uses a PT2399 integrated circuit chip, set up to deliver a short maximum length of repeats. The PT2399 is a common delay chip found in many compact pedals, and here it is configured specifically for the brief, single-echo slapback sound rather than long, cascading repeats.
How many knobs does the Back Burner have?
The Back Burner has only two controls, which makes it easy to operate and quick to dial in usable tones. The Rate knob acts as the delay time control, and the Decay knob handles the repeats, giving a simple control section that is easy to maneuver.
Is the Back Burner good for slapback echo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review describes it as focused solely on the famed slapback sound that started with country and rockabilly, and calls it a set-it-and-forget-it pedal whose applications are clear and best used tastefully. Classic '50s sounds and chicken pickin' country licks come out as you turn the knobs.
What does the Decay knob do on the Back Burner?
The Decay knob is the pedal's decay and repeats control, paired with the Rate knob. Together the two form a simple control section that is easy to maneuver and dial in, letting you set how long the repeats last alongside the delay time.
Sources (2)
- SFG Music Supply Back Burner Vintage Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2016-02-19
- SFG Music Supply Privateer Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2016-03-11