What's your opinion on Benado steel dream

[Marty Holmes]

Just curious what everyone's opinion is on this extremely popular pedal how does it differ from Strymon pedals, and I've also heard that customer service is pretty much non-existent I would like everyone's opinion on this whole subject thank you.

[Bill McCloskey]

I bought one and sold it. Never really liked it that much. I use a Kemper now and like that a lot more.

[David Ball]

Didn't have the steel dream, but had the bigger Benado that I got on a trade. It was fine, but nothing special to me so I sold it. Build quality was good but I'm using a Strymon Flynt and a few other pedals these days and I'm happy with them. Mostly use them for six string.

I had no interactions with Sage, but his reputation seems to be quite good.

Dave

[Erv Niehaus]

I always thought it was kind of overpriced.

[Jim Cooley]

I have the first version. I keep things as simple as I can. I still use it and find it's all I really need. Customer service was great, Sage was extremely responsive to questions.

[Marvin Born]

The main difference between the Steel Dream and Strymon is the Steel Dream is analog and the Strymon is digital. There is no digital artifacts from the Steel Dream. The Steel Dream is basic Reverb, Delay and a light distortion function. The Strymon pedals have many more options with the DSP system. So it depends on what you want.

Steel Dream into a tube amp sounds like old school steel. With digital effects, one has many more effects in one package, but you do need to avoid phase delay when using certain amps, like Telonics which has two signal paths.

I have both, I use the Steel Dream into a LIttle Walter for Steel jams, small old time country, etc. and the Strymon system in to a Telonics amps for events like bar gigs where Organ sounds, Chours and Phazer sounds are useful.

Strymon customer service is fast, I have never had a problem with the Steel Dream. My Strymon effects are TimeLine, Big Sky and Mobius.

When using the Steel Dream I suggest using the “loop” connections into the Effects loo on your amp if you have them. This allow you to put the Delay and Reverb after the EQ and the Nutra effect ahead of the effects. The connection info is in the Steel Dream manual and on line.

[Tony Rankin]

First of all, the Steel Dream does not introduce any unwanted sounds into your signal chain. It doesn't adversely color the sound at all.

Sage Benado offers a free 45 minute video-lesson introduction to the Steel Dream. That 45 minutes turned into almost 90 minutes with me and was time really well spent. I think that's excellent customer service!

The Steel Dream sounds better than anything I've used before and the customer service from Benado has been top notch. It's a quality product, it's well made and it sound great! It's a winner for me, in every respect.

[John Macy]

I have had the original for several years and added the new version, too. I have not played a gig or a session without one for many years and will continue that way.

[Sage Benado]

I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion on this extremely popular pedal. How does it differ from Strymon pedals? I've also heard that customer service is pretty much non-existent. I would like to hear everyone's opinion on this subject. Thank you.

Dear Marty,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the pedal in question. I would like to address your concern about customer service. It is disheartening to hear the claim that customer service is "pretty much non-existent." I'm truly not sure where you receive this kind of false information. I take pride in providing accessible support to all my clients, both current and prospective, often going above and beyond to assist them.
With hundreds of clients worldwide, I've dedicated my efforts to ensuring that everyone receives the help they need, regardless of where they made their purchase. I take customer satisfaction seriously. Many of my clients know and have been able to contact me, even outside of regular business hours, on weekends, and sometimes late at night. The claim that customer service is "pretty much non-existent" is quite insulting.

Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate the opportunity to address this matter.

Best regards,
Sage Benado.

[Marty Holmes]

Thank you Sage for your direct reply and response it shows that you truly take pride in your products!!