What is your favourite guitar pedal for tape echo / delay sounds?
I read that Joel Paterson uses an old Maestro Echoplex and one other guitarist I follow (Arrigo Martelli) also recommends it: Gear - Arrigo Martelli
If I had the money, I’d get one of those vintage units or an Echo Fix EF-X2, but until I win the lottery, I’m thinking of getting something a bit more affordable.
I read about Catalinbread Belle Epoch Deluxe, has anyone tried it?
Strymon El Capistan V1 or V2 might be great as well.
Vintage Echoplexes have a magical sound. Especially the EP-3s. The pre amp alone is incredible. The tape compression and the strange inconstant warbling is otherworldly. I have owned a couple Echoplexes but sold them as they can be finicky. I do have an Echofix and while it sounds great, it lacks the warble of the Echoplex that i really like. To me none of the pedals that emulate tape echo sound even close to a real tape echo.
That said of the ones I have tried the El Capistan is quite good. But my favorite is the Nocturne Brain Mystery Brain. It’s designed to sound like a Roland Space Echo. There is a great pre amp as well as tape delay. Many rockabilly and surf players use them. It’s the one pedal that is always on for me. Nocturne Brain makes some really lovely pedals.
Joel Paterson does use an Echoplex but I don’t think he does for live gigs. Man that guy can play!
Thank you very much for your insights, Patrick!
Would a vintage Echoplex EP-3 work reliably enough if you used it only at home (no gigging)?
I’ve heard about the Nocturne Brain Mystery Brain, it seems difficult to find in the UK, but I will put it on my list of pedals to look out for. I guess the best option would be to order it directly from Nocturne Brain web site and pay the import tax.
Have you tried Boss RE-202?
I had an EHX Deluxe Memory Man (1990’s big box model) at one point, which was quirky and fun, but I stupidly sold it.
I haven’t tried the Deluxe version, but I absolutely love the standard Catalinbread Belle Epoch, especially when it’s running in buffered mode with the preamp always on. I mainly use it for a bit of slapback. My tele doesn’t sound right anymore unless it’s running through it.
I think vintage Echoplexes are just finicky in general. The first one I owned I gigged with, flew to a recording session (with Steve Albini RIP as of today) and it operated like a champ until one day it became very unreliable. I do think there are great techs out there who know how to get them running pretty solidly. Soundgas is in the UK I think? they are some of the best techs out there.
I know Tavo, the Nocturne Brain guy ships worldwide and is known for quick shipping. I know a couple players in Ireland who use his pedals. I have’t tried the Boss pedal, but have heard folks that use it.
One day I hope to get an Echoplex back in my studio. I sold my last one to help ay for the EchoFix which I don’t regret at all. Having a reliable tape echo for recording/ mixing is outstanding. I really do miss that magical unreliable quality of the EP-3…no pedal’s warble/ flutter/ whatever setting touches it. hard to describe but it felt like a real machine rather than an emulation.
There are a lot of great options out there, I’m sure you’ll find one that really works of you.
One last thought, in Europe you might look for a WEM copycat. It’s a vintage tape delay made over there. Cool sound.
Just an update: I still don’t have a real tape echo. I looked for an Echoplex EP-3 or EP-2 on Ebay and Reverb, but I haven’t found one in the UK in good condition (with the “right” serial number) and a reasonable price tag. I also considered the WEM Copicat, they are affordable, but not quite the same (I might try one of them though). Echo Fix EF-X2 or EF-X3 is just too expensive, I can’t quite justify the cost. 
So I’ve stayed with delay pedals and some of them are not too bad actually. My favourite ones are UAFX Orion, Dawner Prince Boonar (drum echo, but magical chorusy sound), Fairfield Circuitry Meet Maude and Benson Delay.
Hoping to get my hands on the new Strymon EC-1 later this year… 