Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into the world of sonic exploration with the Maestro Echoplex, a legendary effects processor that has been a staple in studios and on stages since its inception. Renowned for its authentic tape delay sound, the Echoplex effortlessly bridges the gap between vintage warmth and modern precision. Ideal for musicians and producers who demand a versatile, high-quality echo effect, this unit adds depth and texture to any musical piece. With its intuitive interface, the Echoplex is designed for easy navigation, allowing you to create everything from subtle echoes to complex, layered soundscapes.

The Echoplex’s standout feature is its all-analog circuitry, which delivers unparalleled sound quality and character. This ensures that every note retains its original timbre, while still offering the flexibility to experiment with a broad range of delay times and feedback settings. Whether you're chasing the elusive tone of a classic rock anthem or crafting your own unique sound, the Maestro Echoplex provides the tools to bring your creative vision to life.

Key Features:

  • Authentic tape delay sound
  • All-analog circuitry for superior audio quality
  • Adjustable delay time and feedback controls
  • Intuitive user interface for easy operation
  • Suitable for live performances and studio recording
  • Iconic sound used by legendary musicians and producers
That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show – Echoplex EP-3 vs Strymon TimeLine, EHX Memory Man & Analogman ARDX20

Video thumbnail for That Pedal Show – Echoplex EP-3 vs Strymon TimeLine, EHX Memory Man & Analogman ARDX20 by That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show – Echoplex EP-3 vs Strymon TimeLine, EHX Memory Man & Analogman ARDX20

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for Maestro Echoplex EP-3 Solid State Tape Delay: Andy's Vintage Picks | Reverb Tone Report by Reverb

Maestro Echoplex EP-3 Solid State Tape Delay: Andy's Vintage Picks | Reverb Tone Report

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Maestro Echoplex 3 EP-3 tape echo by Alex T

Maestro Echoplex 3 EP-3 tape echo

Alex T

Alex T

Video thumbnail for 1973 Maestro EP-3 Echoplex Tape Delay - Quick Test - David Hislop by David Hislop

1973 Maestro EP-3 Echoplex Tape Delay - Quick Test - David Hislop

David Hislop

David Hislop

Video thumbnail for Maestro Echoplex EP-3 Vintage Tape Echo by Guitarsenal

Maestro Echoplex EP-3 Vintage Tape Echo

Guitarsenal

Guitarsenal

Video thumbnail for Maestro EP-3 Echoplex Tape Echo Delay Demo with Steve Kiernan | Guitar Hangar by Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Maestro EP-3 Echoplex Tape Echo Delay Demo with Steve Kiernan | Guitar Hangar

Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Guitar Hangar - Lessons, Rentals, Repairs, and More

Video thumbnail for Maestro Echoplex. Demonstration Record 1972 by Adrian Täckman

Maestro Echoplex. Demonstration Record 1972

Adrian Täckman

Adrian Täckman

Video thumbnail for The Maestro Echoplex EP-3: greatest tape delay ever by Tone Science

The Maestro Echoplex EP-3: greatest tape delay ever

Tone Science

Tone Science

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Maestro Echoplex.

Features and functionality

  • The Belle Epoch Deluxe applies the preamp to the entire signal path, while Dunlop and Hermida models only apply it to the repeats.

    Source
  • Strymon's El Capistan offers a single head mode that can emulate Echoplex sounds but lacks the crucial preamp feature.

    Source
  • The Belle Epoch Deluxe runs its preamp at 22 volts, closely mimicking the original Echoplex's expansive sound, unlike typical 9-volt pedals.

    Source
  • The Belle Epoch Deluxe allows control over the record level, affecting how clean or distorted the repeats sound, offering versatility in tone shaping.

    Source
  • The TC Electronics Flashback pedal's TonePrint slots allow users to simulate aged tape echoes with added warble, enhancing its versatility for vintage tones.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Dunlop Echoplex is often considered a strong performer, although some view it as a weaker clone compared to the original EP-3.

    Source
  • The Deluxe Memory Man was originally intended as a tape delay clone, highlighting its potential for those seeking EP-3 tones.

    Source
  • Compared to the Binson and Space Echo, the Echoplex is described as having a unique degradation over time that digital versions struggle to replicate fully.

    Source
  • Catalinbread's Belle Epoch is noted for its superior performance compared to the TC Electronics Flashback when seeking authentic vintage tape echo sounds.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners have found the Dunlop Echoplex to be an excellent deal at around $115, but at $200, it competes closely with the Catalinbread offerings.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Many tape delay pedals can approximate EP-3 tones, making direct clones less necessary for capturing the essence of the sound.

    Source
  • The Belle Epoch Deluxe is favored for live performances due to its additional modes and features, offering a distinct advantage over plugins in dynamic settings.

    Source

Build quality

  • Early production Maestro Echoplex pedals reportedly used the same high-quality components as the EP-3, but later models switched to cheaper parts, affecting performance.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Real Echoplex units, especially older ones, are noted for being noisy and unreliable due to wear and tear, making them a maintenance challenge.

    Source
  • TonePrint app users can adjust the TC Electronics Flashback's heads and wow/flutter settings to better replicate the "worn" delay sound of classic tape machines.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners frequently find the Echoplex's physical size and weight impractical for pedalboards, pushing them towards smaller, more manageable alternatives.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
crystalhazeband

Echoplex Maestro

The Echoplex has always been one of my closest friends in the LIVE Music business, though I have only used it for recording on the CRYSTAL HAZE BAND 2 Dead of Night album, and the CRYSTAL HAZE BAND Tornado House Album, plus it is in our Live Recordings.

mkn_upa

BUt why I gave it to a friend???

WWWHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYY??????? Cr y cry cry.........

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Joe Walsh uses Maestro Echoplex

Joe Walsh

Singer, Guitarist

Eagles

...
Verified via reverb.com

Joe Walsh used a Maestro Echoplex during the recording of "Hotel California," as confirmed by Bill Worrell on reverb.com in the article "The Gear of The Eagles' Guitarists."

See how Yannis Philippakis uses Maestro Echoplex

Yannis Philippakis

Singer, Guitarist

Foals

...
Verified via Photo

Yannis Philippakis of Foals is seen using a Maestro Echoplex in a user-uploaded photo on Hiwatt's website.

See how Mike Campbell uses Maestro Echoplex

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via Tomguerra

On pg. 3 of this interview in Tone Quest Report Vol. 9 #5, published March 2008, Mike Campbell states the following about the Echoplex:

In the early days, there weren’t many pedals that I’d use. I would use the preamp in the Echoplex for my edge if I needed distortion, as the Super Beatles were really clean. I think the secret to my distortion and sustain is the Echoplex driving into the Super Beatle. I occasionally used a wah wah, but most of my sound is that old, noisy tube Echoplex into the Super Beatle.

The Echoplex is also mentioned in this March 1983 Musician article.

Ever loyal to their roots, both Petty and Campbell play through very cool looking Vox Super Beatle amps, jazzed up with Echoplex and MXR Dyna Comp.

See how Philip Sayce uses Maestro Echoplex

Philip Sayce

Singer, Guitarist

The Jeff Healey Band

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram shot taken by Sayce himself you can spot the Maestro Echoplex.

See how Doyle Bramhall II uses Maestro Echoplex

Doyle Bramhall II

Guitarist, Music Producer

Bryan Adams & Roger Waters

...
Verified via Photo

The Guitar Geek rig diagram from around 2000 shows that Doyle Bramhall II used a Maestro Echoplex tape delay while performing with Arc Angels.

See how Dean Ween uses Maestro Echoplex

Dean Ween

Guitarist

Ween

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"I have an old Echoplex and a Roland Space Echo. But onstage I use the Boss RE-20 Space Echo pedal, which has a tap function. I don’t use a distortion pedal. I never have in my life. I use the amp’s natural gain. And I use my guitar’s volume knob as my gain channel. When it’s on 10, that means I’m ripping!"

See how Daniel Ash uses Maestro Echoplex

Daniel Ash

Guitarist

Bauhaus

...
Verified via Westword

Daniel Ash states in this interview that he has used the Echoplex.

See how Doug Martsch uses Maestro Echoplex

Doug Martsch

Guitarist

Built to Spill

...
Verified via Flickr

In a photo shared by catinlap on Flickr, Doug Martsch is seen using a Maestro Echoplex during his solo shows around 2006/2007.

See how East Bay Ray uses Maestro Echoplex

East Bay Ray

Guitarist

Dead Kennedys

...
Verified via Premierguitar

East Bay Ray's Echoplex is one of the key components of the sound. He comments:

If you look there is an Echoplex tape echo and it’s usually sitting on top of the amp. It had a foot pedal—just an on/off switch—which would be out onstage where I would be. As I remember, I found this foot pedal that was die-cast iron. It was very heavy, but it was easy to pull out of the way. Actually, sometimes somebody landed on it and broke it, but not very often. It was too small.

The Echoplex was once again mentioned in the 2022 Premier Guitar rig rundown:

In the band’s heyday, Ray traveled everywhere with his beloved Maestro Echoplex. He comments in the Rundown that while it was a key component to his sound, it was a pain to maintain with its tape cartridges and the need for a bottle of tape cleaner. Plus, in Europe power runs at 50 Hz so the unit would run slower. (The U.S. standard power is 60 Hz.)

See how Albert Lee uses Maestro Echoplex

Albert Lee

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"Eventually I switched from the Echoplex to a Lexicon PCM 42, but these days I use a Korg A3—it’s my favorite effects unit. In fact, I’ve got five of them."

See how Justin Trosper uses Maestro Echoplex

Justin Trosper

Singer, Guitarist

Unwound

...
Verified via Accidentsonpurpose

Justin Trosper is noted for using the Maestro Echoplex, as mentioned on Accidentsonpurpose, where it highlights the gear he utilizes for effects processing.

See how Roy Buchanan uses Maestro Echoplex

Roy Buchanan

Guitarist

...
Verified via Radio Swiss Classic

Buchanan achieved his sound through minimum means. He played the Telecaster through a Fender Vibrolux amplifier with the volume and tone "full out," and used the guitar's volume and tone controls to control volume and sound15.[5][12] To achieve his desired distorted sounds, Buchanan at one point used a razor blade to slit the paper cones of the speakers in his amp, an approach also employed by the Kinks' Dave Davies. Buchanan rarely used effects pedals, though he started using an Echoplex on A Street Called Straight (1976).[5] In his later career he played with a Boss DD-2 delay.[12]

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Maestro Echoplex, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson Les Paul Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
4
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp Combo Guitar Amplifiers
3
Hohner Clavinet D6
Hohner Clavinet D6 Vintage & Electric Pianos
2
Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Crowther Hot Cake
Crowther Hot Cake Distortion Effects Pedals
2
Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall JCM800 2203 Guitar Amplifier Heads
2
EMS Synthi A
EMS Synthi A Synthesizers
2

Community setups

Show yours
bios7

bios7

Gear IQ 97

3 alternative and related items for Maestro Echoplex, curated by the Equipboard community.

Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler

$208.00 - $257.52

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound
Maestro Echoplex EP-2

$1,200.00

Vintage or Discontinued

Successor of the EP-1.

More Maestro Effects Processors