Danelectro Back Talk Pedal

A Faithful Reissue of a 1990s UFO

Invented by Danelectro in 1999, the Backtalk quickly gained cult status thanks to a concept as simple as it is rare: a reverse delay with a very "tape" character. Originals have become hard to find, and this reissue puts this iconic reverse delay back within reach of guitarists looking for something beyond a classic delay. If you love sixties vibes, psychedelic colors, and vintage "studio" effects, the Backtalk is exactly the kind of pedal that sparks new playing ideas.

For Which Guitarists and Styles?

The Danelectro Backtalk is aimed at musicians who want to break new ground : psychedelic rock guitarists, indie, shoegaze, post-rock, ambient, electro-rock, as well as film composers and sound design enthusiasts. It works equally well to accentuate a riff with a reversed response or to build chordal pads, "violin"-style lines, or dreamy transitions between sections.

In the studio, it becomes a very effective arranging tool: a simple take transforms into a moving texture, perfect for doubling a melody or filling space without adding new tracks. Live, it fits easily on a pedalboard for standout moments (intros, bridges, song endings), especially if you like effects that immediately catch the ear.

Controls and Handling: The Essentials, No Menus

The Backtalk gets straight to the point: no screens, no presets, just immediate and musical settings. The Mix knob adjusts the presence of the effect (from subtle to very prominent), ideal for keeping the attack of your playing while adding a reversed tail. Speed controls the speed and thus the timing feel of the reverse delay, allowing you to go from tight bounces to more spacious repeats. Finally, Repeats sets the number of repetitions, ranging from a single reversed return to denser, almost hypnotic layers.

With its true bypass, the pedal integrates cleanly into an effects chain: engage it for an instant color, disengage it to return to your dry sound. The metal enclosure completes the "tool pedal" spirit: simple, robust, ready to withstand rehearsals and gigs.

The Sound

The Backtalk's signature is this reverse delay with a warm and organic touch : instead of a cold or overly clinical effect, you get a flexible, almost "breathing" sonic material. Depending on the Mix setting, you can keep a clearly audible guitar with a reversed shadow behind each note, or shift to a more radical sound where the effect becomes an instrument in its own right.

The dynamics are especially inspiring on attacks: picked notes, double-stops, and open chords produce reversed echoes that give the impression the sound is "rising" toward you. It's also a pedal that loves pairing: before a reverb for cinematic pads, after a fuzz for thick psychedelic textures, or with a light overdrive for a more singing "violin" feel. As for inspirations, this pedal can be found in realms ranging from modern psychedelic rock to experimental indie, with artists like Sean Lennon, Steve Cradock, Christian Bland, and Kikagaku Moyo.

Technical specifications

Effects	Delay	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Green
Type	sector

Dimensions	11.3 x 6.1 x 6 cm	Power adapter	not included
Weight	249 g