The VFE Pedals Blueprint is an analog-voiced delay pedal, built around the PT2399 delay chip, that was made by hand in Puyallup, Washington, in the United States1. It offers a delay range suited to slapback and mid-range delay lengths, a modulation section for detuning and chorus-like effects, and a Level knob that can add up to 20dB of clean boost. The pedal, and the VFE line as a whole, has been discontinued2.
Controls and switching
The Blueprint carries a good number of controls for a delay pedal. The maker's manual, released after the line was discontinued, describes the Time knob as setting the delay time from about 40ms up to 580ms, while Pedal of the Day's 2015 review gives the range as 30 to 580ms12. The two sources differ slightly at the short end of the range.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output volume, with up to 20dB of clean boost on tap2 |
| Time | Sets the delay time, from roughly 40ms up to 580ms2 |
| Depth (Intensity) | Modulation depth control3 |
| Speed (Rate) | Modulation speed control3 |
The modulation section is a distinguishing feature. The maker's manual describes it as adding "slight detuning, warbled chaos, or even pseudo-chorus sounds"2, and Pedal of the Day's review of the related VFE Vader pedal notes that the Blueprint side carries two small modulation controls, Depth (Intensity) and Speed (Rate), "adding another dimension" to the repeats3.
Switching and hardware were built to a high standard for a small-shop pedal1:
- TrueSoft + DualMode true bypass switching1
- Soft switch footswitch, which reviewer Mike B argued "should be on every pedal"1
- Industrial-grade Carling switches and Neutrik audio jacks1
- Rugged diecast aluminum enclosures1
What it sounds like
Pedal of the Day's reviewer found a wide tonal spread across the delay range: "you can go from a wonderfully clean, crisp analog delay, to a spaced-out, trippy tape echo-type tone, and loads of other" sounds in between1. The same reviewer called the pedal "extremely versatile and useful in almost any musical situation," adding that it "sounds awesome on keys"1.
"Level starts us off right away with up to 20db of clean boost, which can be nice for soloing and cutting through the mix."
The clean boost on the output makes the Blueprint a candidate for players who use a delay as a solo-volume lift as well as a time effect, sitting alongside dedicated boost pedals in that role21.
Discontinued, but available as a DIY project
The Blueprint was built in rugged diecast aluminum enclosures1. VFE described its range as wide: "you can go from a wonderfully clean, crisp analog delay, to a spaced-out, trippy tape echo-type tone, and loads of other" sounds in between1. Reviewers found the same flexibility, with Pedal of the Day noting that the pedal's many controls made it "extremely versatile and useful in almost any musical situation," and that it sounded especially strong on keys1.
A one-off custom pedal called the VFE Vader combined the discontinued Blueprint delay circuit with the Choral Reef chorus; it is covered on its own page for the VFE Vader3. For other approaches to the effect type, see the site's delay pedals page.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
JetCityMusic
Mike Hermans
Questions
What is the delay time range of the VFE Blueprint?
Pedal of the Day's 2015 review puts the Blueprint's delay range at 30 to 580ms, which the reviewer called perfect for slapback and mid-range delay lengths. The maker's manual, published later through Madbean Pedals, describes the Time knob as setting the delay from about 40ms up to 580ms. The two sources differ slightly at the short end, but both agree the top of the range is 580ms.
Is the VFE Pedals Blueprint true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's review describes the Blueprint as having TrueSoft plus DualMode true bypass switching, along with a soft switch footswitch, industrial-grade Carling switches, and Neutrik audio jacks.
Is the VFE Blueprint delay discontinued?
Yes. Pedal of the Day noted in 2017 that the Blueprint had been discontinued, and the manual released through Madbean Pedals in 2019 confirms the VFE pedal line was recently discontinued at that time. The PCBs were provided to the DIY community for DIY use only.
Where is the VFE Blueprint built?
According to Pedal of the Day's 2015 review, the Blueprint was built by hand in Puyallup, Washington, in the United States, using rugged diecast aluminum enclosures.
Does the Blueprint's Level knob boost the signal?
Yes. The Level knob sets the output volume of the Blueprint and provides up to 20dB of clean boost, which Pedal of the Day's reviewer noted can be nice for soloing and cutting through the mix.
Sources (3)
- VFE Pedals Blueprint Analog-Voiced Delay, Pedal of the Day, 2015-04-28
- Microsoft Word, madbeanpedals.com, 2019
- VFE Pedals Vader Delay Chorus, Pedal of the Day, 2017-03-20
