Find it here: out review with pics here: E. Maestro EP-3 Echoplex Tape Echo Delay Demo with Steve Kiernan Guitar Hangar - Duration: 3:35. Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More 1,788 views 3:35. This is my 1974 Maestro Echoplex, given to me by my good friend Maynard. It was in pretty shabby condition when I took possession, it wasn't even working. However, I'm a fool for vintage gear so I went to work. My EP-3 has a serial number in the nineteens, which places it in the middle of the run of the EP-3. The plastic housing is the incorrect colour gray for a 1972 EP-3. Lastly, the serial number was in the 38,000+ range, whereas a 1972 would have a serial somewhere in 12,000-14,000 range or thereabouts. This Echoplex will have a slightly different circuit and will have a compressor board added. The EP+ uses the new EP circuit board that allows you to select the tone of either early model EP-3 (S/N 9068 to 9450) or later versions. When you remove the back cover from the EP+, you will see the rear of the PCB with the jumper fitted to both terminal pins. This will give the tone of the early EP-3.
- Echoplex For Sale
- Echoplex Ep 3 Serial Numbers Online
- Echoplex Ep 3 Serial Numbers And Double Swastika
I did a lot of research and learned a lot. The Echoplex was invented by a man named Mike Battle and had several incarnations:
- EP-1: The first tube model from the early sixties.
- EP-2: The second tube model from the late sixties.
- EP-3: The first solid state model, early seventies
- EP-4: The second solid state model, mid to late seventies
- Sireko: Economy model from early seventies, same electronics without SOS, used a different tape cartridge.
- EM-1: Multi-Channel tape echo unit from the early seventies.
Some notes about the Echoplex
- I recommend rebuilding your Plex like I did. At this writing, it's 2008. The newest your Plex could be is 25 years or so if it's an EP-4, even older if it's an EP-3. If its a tube model it's probably from the 60's. That's damn old for a mechanical device and unless it's a closet classic it will need some restoration.
- When you first get your Plex, you should: Clean it inside and out, change the belt, and get a new tape cartridge.
- More complex restoration actions include lubrication, replacing the electrolytic capacitors, changing the motor mounts, (I don't know where to get them, but I'm working on it) and adding a grounded cord if it doesn't have one, although you could get ground loop problems with some amps if you do that. Most solid state models probably don't need a cap job unless you are having bad hum problems, but the tube models with the old paper or can caps should definitely have the them replaced.
- The Echoplex tape runs CONSTANTLY when powered up, whether you have the echo engaged or not. Shut it down when you are not playing to preserve the tape and prevent wear on the Plex itself.
- KEEP IT CLEAN!! Like I said above, the tape cartridge runs CONSTANTLY when powered up, whether you have the echo engaged or not. If you are playing a 3 or 4 set gig, how many miles is that tape traveling? See what I mean? Clean the tape path regularly, and often. See the link below for details on how to clean an Echoplex.
- Every now and then there are Ebay auctions for NOS, vintage tape cartridges. DON'T USE THEM!! Tape formulations have changed dramatically in the 30 years since your Plex was built and adjusted. Use a modern, new tape cartridge, the quality is considerably better. Or, reload your old cartridge with new tape.
- Have the Plex biased properly to the new tape cartridge you are using. Once biased, you don't have to do it again until or if you change tape formulations. See below for instructions on how to do this.
- Schematic Heaven has the Echoplex service manual for download, and there are regular auctions for hardcopys of it in Ebay, get yourself a copy.
- The supplies for vintage Echoplexes isn't going to last forever. Below are links to pages I've created on refurbishing pressure pads and reloading tape cartridges to stave off the inevitable.
When I was a kid in the seventies, the only game in town for echo was the Echoplex. Any guitar with echo you heard in the seventies was probably done on a Plex. Certainly all my guitar hero's back then used one. Just to mention a few: Tommy Bolin, Jimmy Page, Joe Walsh, Brian May, and last but not least, the man with the guitar, James Marshall Hendrix. I couldn't afford one back then, and now I have two.
I did a lot of research and learned a lot. The Echoplex was invented by a man named Mike Battle and had several incarnations:
- EP-1: The first tube model from the early sixties.
- EP-2: The second tube model from the late sixties.
- EP-3: The first solid state model, early seventies
- EP-4: The second solid state model, mid to late seventies
- Sireko: Economy model from early seventies, same electronics without SOS, used a different tape cartridge.
- EM-1: Multi-Channel tape echo unit from the early seventies.
Echoplex For Sale
Some notes about the Echoplex
Echoplex Ep 3 Serial Numbers Online
- I recommend rebuilding your Plex like I did. At this writing, it's 2008. The newest your Plex could be is 25 years or so if it's an EP-4, even older if it's an EP-3. If its a tube model it's probably from the 60's. That's damn old for a mechanical device and unless it's a closet classic it will need some restoration.
- When you first get your Plex, you should: Clean it inside and out, change the belt, and get a new tape cartridge.
- More complex restoration actions include lubrication, replacing the electrolytic capacitors, changing the motor mounts, (I don't know where to get them, but I'm working on it) and adding a grounded cord if it doesn't have one, although you could get ground loop problems with some amps if you do that. Most solid state models probably don't need a cap job unless you are having bad hum problems, but the tube models with the old paper or can caps should definitely have the them replaced.
- The Echoplex tape runs CONSTANTLY when powered up, whether you have the echo engaged or not. Shut it down when you are not playing to preserve the tape and prevent wear on the Plex itself.
- KEEP IT CLEAN!! Like I said above, the tape cartridge runs CONSTANTLY when powered up, whether you have the echo engaged or not. If you are playing a 3 or 4 set gig, how many miles is that tape traveling? See what I mean? Clean the tape path regularly, and often. See the link below for details on how to clean an Echoplex.
- Every now and then there are Ebay auctions for NOS, vintage tape cartridges. DON'T USE THEM!! Tape formulations have changed dramatically in the 30 years since your Plex was built and adjusted. Use a modern, new tape cartridge, the quality is considerably better. Or, reload your old cartridge with new tape.
- Have the Plex biased properly to the new tape cartridge you are using. Once biased, you don't have to do it again until or if you change tape formulations. See below for instructions on how to do this.
- Schematic Heaven has the Echoplex service manual for download, and there are regular auctions for hardcopys of it in Ebay, get yourself a copy.
- The supplies for vintage Echoplexes isn't going to last forever. Below are links to pages I've created on refurbishing pressure pads and reloading tape cartridges to stave off the inevitable.
Echoplex Ep 3 Serial Numbers And Double Swastika