Echoplex Restoration Story
Moderators: VelvetGeorge, BUG
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:50 am
- Location: france
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
ok guys … so when the fuck is someone gonna propose an echoplex kit ( pcb , tape cartridges , weird values pots etc ...) ??
the full tone tube tape echo is too damn expensive !
this ought to happen !
the full tone tube tape echo is too damn expensive !
this ought to happen !
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:33 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Israel. Bat-Yam
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
Electronics not the problem at all, but mechanical parts is another story.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1504
- Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:50 am
- Location: france
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
hence the need for a company kit , i can make a parts list for boards for myself no problem ,but the mechanical parts and the case are a company matter ...Haze13 wrote:Electronics not the problem at all, but mechanical parts is another story.
- Xplorer
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2472
- Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 5:27 pm
- Just the numbers in order: 7
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
indeed, this would be a great idea, although it'd need a lot of funds to start such business.
or .... a forum echoplex kit, group buy .... but i think it would cost more than a used echoplex on eBay.
re building the mechanics is too complex i think.
finding enough stock of the right heads is too complicate and expensive.
same for the motor, plate, Wheel, etc ...
forget the TTE ! buy a used echoplex for cheap and restor it. it's Worth it.
i provided the traces for each board, and it's possible to find most components.
or .... a forum echoplex kit, group buy .... but i think it would cost more than a used echoplex on eBay.
re building the mechanics is too complex i think.
finding enough stock of the right heads is too complicate and expensive.
same for the motor, plate, Wheel, etc ...
forget the TTE ! buy a used echoplex for cheap and restor it. it's Worth it.
i provided the traces for each board, and it's possible to find most components.
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
So, update on my "restoration". Mine was functional, but not perfect. After hearing Eric's after he got it serviced from Tony at Orbitz, I decided to improve mine. So, a couple of discoveries:
1) The bias trim on the far right board (where the record/erase head connects) is critical for perfect clean repeats. And, for complete erase.
2) I was getting a lot of floor noise with the volume pot (not record level underneath) barely past 1 or 2. So, I replaced the A500k pot and THAT made a huge difference in noise. The unit is not perfectly quiet, especially with the gain dimed on a plexi but it is drastically better.
3) I also changed the spec I had to an earlier model. I will try and find the link to what the guy I copied did. He edited the schematic. It goes back to what we talked about here about building the EP preamp pedal.
So, a couple more tips in case folks are trying to dial in their EP3. I'll try and post a clip or two. Very fun to play with...echos almost like a digital delay, but better!!!
1) The bias trim on the far right board (where the record/erase head connects) is critical for perfect clean repeats. And, for complete erase.
2) I was getting a lot of floor noise with the volume pot (not record level underneath) barely past 1 or 2. So, I replaced the A500k pot and THAT made a huge difference in noise. The unit is not perfectly quiet, especially with the gain dimed on a plexi but it is drastically better.
3) I also changed the spec I had to an earlier model. I will try and find the link to what the guy I copied did. He edited the schematic. It goes back to what we talked about here about building the EP preamp pedal.
So, a couple more tips in case folks are trying to dial in their EP3. I'll try and post a clip or two. Very fun to play with...echos almost like a digital delay, but better!!!
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.
- vanhalen5150
- Senior Member
- Posts: 7307
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:13 pm
- Just the numbers in order: 7
- Location: Halifax, Canada
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
1969 receipt from Manny's in NYC.
Amongst other things Hendrix bought an Echoplex for $200.
Amongst other things Hendrix bought an Echoplex for $200.
- Attachments
-
- 10516744_521821767963130_7808297776948054210_n[1].jpg (152.8 KiB) Viewed 8190 times
12000 Metro Kit
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
And a Les Paul for $670!!!vanhalen5150 wrote:1969 receipt from Manny's in NYC.
Amongst other things Hendrix bought an Echoplex for $200.
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.
- vanhalen5150
- Senior Member
- Posts: 7307
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:13 pm
- Just the numbers in order: 7
- Location: Halifax, Canada
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
Yeah but I'm sure in todays dollars that total bill is pretty huge. What type of Echoplex was around in 69 though?
12000 Metro Kit
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
EP1 or EP2, the tube based ones??vanhalen5150 wrote:Yeah but I'm sure in todays dollars that total bill is pretty huge. What type of Echoplex was around in 69 though?
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.
- Froumy
- Senior Member
- Posts: 620
- Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:15 am
- Location: New Hampshire
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
Has anyone used a replacement head from the link posted?
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html? ... heads.html
Any other options? (my preamp is fine, suspect heads)
Great thread. Looks like I'll have to bust out my EP3 repair project, again. Thanks!
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html? ... heads.html
Any other options? (my preamp is fine, suspect heads)
Great thread. Looks like I'll have to bust out my EP3 repair project, again. Thanks!
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
You can "test" the head to see if you have continuity from the head to the me of the lead.Froumy wrote:Has anyone used a replacement head from the link posted?
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html? ... heads.html
Any other options? (my preamp is fine, suspect heads)
Great thread. Looks like I'll have to bust out my EP3 repair project, again. Thanks!
And yes, that is THE guy. But don't tell anyone. I dont want him to run out in case I need another head!
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.
- Froumy
- Senior Member
- Posts: 620
- Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:15 am
- Location: New Hampshire
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
You the man!
Can you clarify from the head to the me of the lead? (Which connection,etc). Thanks again!
Can you clarify from the head to the me of the lead? (Which connection,etc). Thanks again!
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
Do you mean the color of the lead? Can't recall off the top of my head which is record or erase. They attach by the Nortronics black box.Froumy wrote:You the man!
Can you clarify from the head to the me of the lead? (Which connection,etc). Thanks again!
To check to make sure your wires are not bad, stick the wires with needles right right wear the wires go into the head and re-check the continuity test..
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 804
- Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:48 am
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
My echoplex is making a clicking noise only when engaged, Its not a mechanical noise, it comes through the amp when the unit is engaged it, starts out slow and gradually gets faster. I have changed tapes, it must be a bad component any ideas where to look?
- rgorke
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4509
- Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:37 am
- Just the numbers in order: 13492
- Location: Drought Ravaged SoCal
Re: Echoplex Restoration Story
Have you cleaned and demagnetized the heads? Did this just start?
"If you make a mistake, do it twice and smile and let people think you meant it." Jan Van Halen.