CatalinbreadBelle Epoch EP-3 Tape Echo Guitar Effects Pedal

Disclaimer: I have no personal hand's-on experience with original Echoplex tape echo units. I can only compare this unit to the numerous analog and digital delays I have used and compared to those it is a STUNNING sonic improvement-particularly for a guitar into an amp. It does not have the switchable characteristics of multi-model emulators like Line6; it does not have the depth of features of a Digitiech Timebender, or the crystalline clarity of an Eventide. It is not as cheap as a Danelectro or Behreinger stomp. But it is GORGEOUS LUSH TONE FOR DAYS!! From shredder lead tone thickening to rockabilly slap to reggae and dub space on into VanHalen experimentation and Jimmy Page/Led Zep self-oscillating art noise effects (as in "Dazed and Confused") the Belle Epoch delivers decades of classic tones with plenty of space to find your own. There are worlds to explore within each tweak of the magnificently-voiced controls. When placed between a guitar and amp it provides a brilliantly-executed little clean boost (adjustable with an internal trim pot) that gives you a volume pot that goes to 15 instead of 10. The fact that there are no moving parts and that the circuitry is installed in a rugged and standard-sized pedal that looks great on your board is quite simply awesome. Works fabulously at 9 volts--with an 18-volt power supply (sorry-no built-in battery compartment-if you want to bring this to the mountains, woods and beaches you will need an external power pack) the clarity and headroom are just astounding. In A/B testing with everything remaining the same except for power voltage it completely sounded like different effect pedals. A really good echo vs. an astonishing atmospheric echo pedal. The pre-boost displays more dynamics and headroom, the repeats have more girth and air. Catalinbread have done themselves proud with this Echoplex emulation. And buying through Geartree is always a delight-fast secure shipping and usually a little added treat of either cables or coupons.

This is a really versatile Echo/Delay pedal, you can get really warm pristine repeats with the "Tone" Knob to the right or you can get dark fatter repeats by turning the knob to the left. It has 12 different modes, so you definitely get a variety of different sounds from this pedal; however don't let that turn you away from this pedal, this gives you a lot more time to experiment with it. You can get the tone of David Gilmour, by setting the "Delay" time around 9 o'clock the highest 11 o'clock; remember this is based on the "Binson Echorec" which had a max delay time of 300/ms, this pedal has 1000/ms max delay time. So you can get those Pink Floyd tones you love & other replicate other good bands that utilize delay in their rig as well. This pedal also worked well with my other pedals, and didn't cause any bad feedback when you chain it with other pedals; so this will blend well with any rig. Just keep in mind that you just have to take your time adjusting the right settings for it in order to get the sound you want from it. I also recommend going to "Catalinbread's" website, they have the full manual and instructions on how to use it; just in case if you get lost, or just checkout a demo on "Youtube". An incredible pedal that really provides vintage & modern day echoes, with a wide range of sounds; just take your time and you'll find the right settings that make you'll play for hours.

This is my favorite echo/delay pedal. It just sounds great and is extremely versatile. I bought it for the Echorec sounds (duh) for that Gilmour sound, but it does much more. I really like how it can be set with long delays and repeats, yet not intrude on the main sound. The preamp is nice touch, and isn't as prominent as the preamp on the Belle Epoch (I have both)I highly recommend this for anyone that wants a great sounding echo or delay

I have owned allot of great delays in my time. I own a real Echoplex EP2 (Tube) and a solid state EP3, as well as a Fulltine Tape Echo (number 71.) I also have had a few Tape Echo emulators, like the Tube driven Replex (which was real expensive!) A few years back I bought the Strymon el capistan and that pedal was the best emulator that I had thus heard.The Catalinbread Echo Rec is the best Digital Delay Tape Emulator (of the legendary Binson) I have ever heard, right next to Catalinbread's other amazing delay pedal, the Belle Epoch (an exact replica of the Echoplex EP3.)The sound of the delay tone is deep and authentic! It really does sound like an old Binson with loads of Mojo! You can really connect with both pedals mentioned and get inside of the sound with your playing. That is the mark of a Great Delay! Don't hesitate to try this and the Belle Epoch, if what you are searching for is an authentic Tape Delay, look no further! Catalinbread is the best!

Good product and delivery. No problems.But I don't love it as much as I thought I would. With the different options for rhythmic multi-tap delays I find myself really wishing there was a tap-tempo feature. I know that's a lot to ask from an analog delay. (And it would Jack the price WAY up) but I don't enjoy using it as much as I thought and I think a tap-tempo would bridge the gap.I also don't like that the 11-mode selector switch is a knob and not a switch. It's hard to know when you've not urned the knob enough (or turned it too much).It would be cool if they made the indicator light cut-out when you turned between modes as another way to see when you've changed modes. That seems like that wouldn't be so hard to engineer.This product really is great and fun. But I thought it was important to have some alternative view points.