• From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Topic: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone here owns or loves the old Maestro Echoplexes.  I had a couple opportunities to buy one over the past few years and have regretted not doing so.  Some of the clips of them on youtube are breathtaking which has gotten me thinking about them again.  I like my DD3 but it's 'okay'.  Does the job better in a loop whereas I'm using delay more and more in front of amplifiers.  The Echoplexes were esentially designed for this task because effects loops didn't really exist in the '60s/early '70s.

Anyways I'm currently searching for an EP-3 in decent shape, a Fulltone TTE, Skreddy Echo + Xotic EP Booster, or just wait until the Fulltone SSTE comes out (solid state echoplex).  I've got the tape delay bug bad!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.

2 Reply by SOFTMC (edited by SOFTMC 2010-04-15 04:39:05)

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

The only downside to the old echoplexes is they are a pain in the butt to use and big and cumbersome. if you are gonna get one make sure you get the solid state version from 70s-80s they are the best.

down in my patch someone is selling a Tc 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay unit in local craiglist he wants £890 which is alot for a delay unit  smile

Does EJ still use echoplexes ?

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

EJ does still use them! He either runs them in line or (assuming when they need servicing) uses a post mic echo rig.  For most things tone, I'm from 3-4 camps:  The EJ/Hendrix camp, the JB camp, the Gilmour camp, and the Clapton camp.  EJ was the first guy that I had heard of using them, though now I know they were also made famous by guitarists like EVH, Page, Fripp, and Chet.

I've had a LOT of delays but the only thing I've never really had was a nice old tape unit.  I think I would actually enjoy the work/love/TLC to keep an old EP3 running.  It's an investment and a borderline relic as far as electronic equipment goes.  The only problem is nothing out there sound like 'em and I'll keep kicking myself until I have it!  The new rig will consist of the Metro Superlead100 and my '68 Super Reverb. BK Butler Tubedriver, echoplex, reverb---Metro and then: overdrive---fuzz?---echoplex---chorus---Super Reverb.  I'll probably throw the OCD in there somewhere for my cranked up Les Paul tones.  All the routing will be performed in a rack with most of the pedals housed inside.  RJM Effects Gizmo is the brains of the system.  I basically have everything but the Echoplex and a #$%-ton of cable.  The whole goal is a EJ meets JB meets DG/EC type rig that is nice and neat.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

EJ does still use them! He either runs them in line or (assuming when they need servicing) uses a post mic echo rig.  For most things tone, I'm from 3-4 camps:  The EJ/Hendrix camp, the JB camp, the Gilmour camp, and the Clapton camp.  EJ was the first guy that I had heard of using them, though now I know they were also made famous by guitarists like EVH, Page, Fripp, and Chet.

I've had a LOT of delays but the only thing I've never really had was a nice old tape unit.  I think I would actually enjoy the work/love/TLC to keep an old EP3 running.  It's an investment and a borderline relic as far as electronic equipment goes.  The only problem is nothing out there sound like 'em and I'll keep kicking myself until I have it!  The new rig will consist of the Metro Superlead100 and my '68 Super Reverb. BK Butler Tubedriver, echoplex, reverb---Metro and then: overdrive---fuzz?---echoplex---chorus---Super Reverb.  I'll probably throw the OCD in there somewhere for my cranked up Les Paul tones.  All the routing will be performed in a rack with most of the pedals housed inside.  RJM Effects Gizmo is the brains of the system.  I basically have everything but the Echoplex and a #$%-ton of cable.  The whole goal is a EJ meets JB meets DG/EC type rig that is nice and neat.

Sounds like a Plan !!

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

God that sounds like my dream rig - please post a vid when it's done!

SOFTMC wrote:
stratpaulguy86 wrote:

EJ does still use them! He either runs them in line or (assuming when they need servicing) uses a post mic echo rig.  For most things tone, I'm from 3-4 camps:  The EJ/Hendrix camp, the JB camp, the Gilmour camp, and the Clapton camp.  EJ was the first guy that I had heard of using them, though now I know they were also made famous by guitarists like EVH, Page, Fripp, and Chet.

I've had a LOT of delays but the only thing I've never really had was a nice old tape unit.  I think I would actually enjoy the work/love/TLC to keep an old EP3 running.  It's an investment and a borderline relic as far as electronic equipment goes.  The only problem is nothing out there sound like 'em and I'll keep kicking myself until I have it!  The new rig will consist of the Metro Superlead100 and my '68 Super Reverb. BK Butler Tubedriver, echoplex, reverb---Metro and then: overdrive---fuzz?---echoplex---chorus---Super Reverb.  I'll probably throw the OCD in there somewhere for my cranked up Les Paul tones.  All the routing will be performed in a rack with most of the pedals housed inside.  RJM Effects Gizmo is the brains of the system.  I basically have everything but the Echoplex and a #$%-ton of cable.  The whole goal is a EJ meets JB meets DG/EC type rig that is nice and neat.

Sounds like a Plan !!

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • Registered: 2008-10-29
  • Posts: 9

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

I've got an EP3 and haven't had much maintenence to do on it thankfully, although it did act up a bit the last time I fired her up.  But the EP3 does sound like no other and that's next to the Tube Tape Echo I have as well!  And I own the Empress Super Delay (Vintage Modified) and Skreddy Echo, and those just don't give you what the EP3 does.  The Tube Tape Echo is by far the next best thing, but getting one of those is more expensive than a real EP3!!

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

Traviswalk wrote:

I've got an EP3 and haven't had much maintenence to do on it thankfully, although it did act up a bit the last time I fired her up.  But the EP3 does sound like no other and that's next to the Tube Tape Echo I have as well!  And I own the Empress Super Delay (Vintage Modified) and Skreddy Echo, and those just don't give you what the EP3 does.  The Tube Tape Echo is by far the next best thing, but getting one of those is more expensive than a real EP3!!

Thanks for the inside scoop about the Echoplex, Traviswalk.  Your experience with the top 4 Echoplex type devices is extremely valuable in my search for the perfect echo.  I lost an ebay bid on a really clean Echoplex by only a few cents...erggg!  BTW welcome to the JB forum man!  I hope you don't mind me calling you out on this but for those of you who don't know Traviswalk has an amp collection that could even make Joe Bonamassa blush.  He has some REALLY nice stuff and it really helps that he's a nice dude to boot.  Did you get your Metro yet?  Man I'm lovin' mine!  cool

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-29
  • Posts: 9

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Thanks for the inside scoop about the Echoplex, Traviswalk.  Your experience with the top 4 Echoplex type devices is extremely valuable in my search for the perfect echo.  I lost an ebay bid on a really clean Echoplex by only a few cents...erggg!  BTW welcome to the JB forum man!  I hope you don't mind me calling you out on this but for those of you who don't know Traviswalk has an amp collection that could even make Joe Bonamassa blush.  He has some REALLY nice stuff and it really helps that he's a nice dude to boot.  Did you get your Metro yet?  Man I'm lovin' mine!  cool

Thanks!  I don't think I would make Joe blush too much!!  My Metro is coming in a few weeks, wanted to time my building of it to when my 4x12 Metro cab will be done, which is by the NY Amp show on June 5th & 6th!

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

I've used a Chandler SDE for years. It's the closest I've found, and has the 3D qualities of the Echoplex. Plus, it's solid state and doesn't really need much maintanence. If you can find one, I highly recommend it.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

The Chandler units are cool and bonus a rackmount however I'm also craving the Preamp of the EP-3.  That's a huge part of why a lot of guys have continued using them.  They are suppose to impart a certain amount of harmonics, compression, attack, and also change some of the phasing in your signal.  This is all from research as I've never tried one myself.  I'll kick myself down the road if I never picked one up while they are still relatively affordable.  I have a feeling that when the tape gets even more scarce and all of the working examples are in collections the prices will reach rediculous levels.  sad

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Any Echoplex lovers out there?

There are some new Pedals from FUCHs that look pretty good. You may also want to look at them.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner