~1980 Echoplex EP-3 Black

Offered for sale:

Vintage c1980 Echoplex EP-3 serial number 40010.

This Echoplex is in very good to excellent condition, showing playing time without abuse. It is fully functional; the audio is quiet and there is the expected wow & flutter.

This EP-3 is sold with 2 additional replacement tape assemblies!

The EP-3 is of course the third version of the Echoplex and the first to use a solid-state preamp.

Back story:

Circa 1961 there was the EchoSonic, pioneered by one Ray Butts. This was a tape echo machine integrated into a whole amplifier. This original EchoSonic machine was difficult to build and equally difficult to maintain, it is believed that less than 80 units in total were built.

Along came Mike Battle who developed and patented a sliding tape head which allows the repeats to be adjustable for delay time. This design was sold to a firm Market Electronics which marketed it through Maestro who them attached their name to the unit.

Fast forward to the third version, the EP-3. The first solid-state version and the one with the now-legendary preamp circuit therein. Many players may not know that two previous versions existed. But the third model, the icon, became the stuff of legend.

From Andy Summers to Eric Johnson to Eddie Van Halen, even believed that Hendrix used this venerable device. Speaking from my own experience, one of the greatest sounds I ever had on guitar was with an EP-3, unfortunately at the time, I couldn’t find a replacement tape, and I let it go.

Don’t pass this up!

*Please note: we do our best giving descriptions of used pieces. We have found it impossible to describe every mark on an instrument or amp that is not in the "mint" category. Also, what's important to you may not be important to someone else. For example, you may say, "I don't care what it looks like as long as it plays or sounds well." Another person may say, "Body cosmetics are very important to me so tell me about every scratch, nick and blemish." So, please ask the questions that are most important to you. If you ask they will be answered. They are free and there's no limit. Additional photos can also be made available.

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