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
Videos
That Pedal Show
That Pedal Show – Echoplex EP-3 vs Strymon TimeLine, EHX Memory Man & Analogman ARDX20
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
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 13 Ratings
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.
1171
BUt why I gave it to a friend???
WWWHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYY??????? Cr y cry cry.........
Artist usage
Add artist
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."
Yannis Philippakis of Foals is seen using a Maestro Echoplex in a user-uploaded photo on Hiwatt's website.
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.
The Guitar Geek rig diagram from around 2000 shows that Doyle Bramhall II used a Maestro Echoplex tape delay while performing with Arc Angels.
"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!"
In a photo shared by catinlap on Flickr, Doug Martsch is seen using a Maestro Echoplex during his solo shows around 2006/2007.
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.)
"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."
Justin Trosper is noted for using the Maestro Echoplex, as mentioned on Accidentsonpurpose, where it highlights the gear he utilizes for effects processing.
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]
Album Usage
The Maestro Echoplex has been featured on the following albums:
little mystery
John Martyn & Fred again.. (2024)
Great Gypsy Soul
Tommy Bolin (2023)
Energy II
Tommy Bolin (2021)
The Switch
Body/Head (2018)
Gold Cobra
Limp Bizkit (2011)
Up Close
Eric Johnson (2010)
The Ultimate: Redux (Remastered)
Tommy Bolin (2008)
Revenge
Kiss (1992)
Shout
Otis Day & The Knights (1989)
Candy-O
The Cars (1979)
Deguello
ZZ Top (1979)
A Street Called Straight
Roy Buchanan (1976)
Zoot Allures
Frank Zappa (1976)
Hotel California (40th Anniversary Expanded Edition)
Eagles (1976)
Nuthin' Fancy (Expanded Edition)
Lynyrd Skynyrd (1975)
Rush
Rush (1974)
Solid Air
John Martyn (1973)
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.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation3 alternative and related items for Maestro Echoplex, curated by the Equipboard community.
$1,600.00
$208.00 - $257.52
More Maestro Effects Processors
Most Popular Effects Processors
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
julianwolf2Gear IQ 13060
-