Real Echoplex??

Audandash

Audandash

Well-known member
So I may get this but wanted to ask about it first. It doesn’t work at all. No power and the box itself is rough. The thing probably needs a complete rebuild. What is something like this worth in this state? I am sure can find a kit to rebuild it myself.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5243.jpeg
    IMG_5243.jpeg
    424.5 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_5245.jpeg
    IMG_5245.jpeg
    484.8 KB · Views: 26
Working they go for around 1k.

You can get some service parts, but I'm not sure what you'd do if the motor was cooked.

Echoplex Parts

Here is a collection of all the Maestro Echoplex parts we currently have available. If you do not see a part here that you require feel free to send us an email and we may be able to help you.
echofix.com

1754933229040.png
 
I really dont know whats wrong with it. It has been in someones storage for a long time. It looks like it has a new tape in it. I plugged in and flipped the switch. Nothing happens and the switch is broke, lol. It could very well be a rabbit hole situation. I have had another one get away before in much better overall shape but i think I may roll the dice if i can get it for a deal. When i had the opportunity before I didn’t have the skillset I do now. If not i guess i can just look at it and dream, lol.
 
Last edited:
Audandash said:
I really dont know whats wrong with it. It has been in someones storage for a long time. It looks like it has a new tape in it. I plugged in and flipped the switch. Nothing happens and the switch is broke, lol. It could very well be a rabbit hole situation. I have had another one get away before in much better overall shape but i think I may roll the dice if i can get it for a deal. When i had the opportunity before I didn’t have the skillset I do now. If not i guess i can just look at it and dream, lol.
Click to expand...
Send it to me 😀
 
How do I know how old it is? I did get it by the way. I started today by making sure the box is a little more sturdy. I used some wood glue and clamped it. Tomorrow I am going to put a few brads in it to make sure it’s nice and stable. I think I am going to start with a rebuild kit from echofix.com to get fresh caps etc.. so I am starting from a better place. I am looking forward to a new adventure/challenge.
 
Last edited:
Very cool. I am sure I will have questions as I go through it. I may actually start a thread when I get ready to catalog what’s going on with it. If not for anyone else it will be cool to watch my own progress.
 
So based on the info you gave me it was made in the 43rd week of 1975. It’s honestly a lot cleaner inside than expected.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5278.jpeg
    IMG_5278.jpeg
    714.1 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_5277.jpeg
    IMG_5277.jpeg
    668.5 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_5276.jpeg
    IMG_5276.jpeg
    737.2 KB · Views: 18
  • IMG_5275.jpeg
    IMG_5275.jpeg
    623.5 KB · Views: 15
That is pretty clean!

Another data point on the date question - Yours has a board mine doesn't. I think that's an onboard compressor. I've read some posts about them - If I remember, they added that around 77. I think sometimes people take that out or disconnect it. Not sure if that's because it causes problems, or if some people just don't like something about the sound.

 
Alright fellas. I cleaned up a lot of funk areas with deoxit. Changed out the switch and she has purred back to life. I can hear old stuff recording on the taped but it doesn’t seem to be recording at all and obviously isn’t erasing properly if I can hear recordings in a loop they are not me. How do I verify this for sure before I spend 180 for a new head? Just the audio going through it sounds badass though. Great coloration. I made up quick switch to check the on and off portion and that worked. I read through the manual to make sure i was using it properly and I am. The record/erase head seems to maybe be the culprit but I don't want to just buy it if there is some other way to verify before i do.
 
Last edited:
Nope I checked both modes. I read through the manual and followed it step by step to make sure i’m not a dumbass, lol. Iassume the head is some sort of magnet to erase the audio. Is there a way to test that? The audio thats on the tape is the same sound quality all the time regardless of mode, echo or sound on sound.
 
Erik S said:
That is pretty clean!

Another data point on the date question - Yours has a board mine doesn't. I think that's an onboard compressor. I've read some posts about them - If I remember, they added that around 77. I think sometimes people take that out or disconnect it. Not sure if that's because it causes problems, or if some people just don't like something about the sound.

Click to expand...
Reading through the manual it shows you how to disconnect that. I found that interesting. I also found this excerpt quite funny.

“If motor fails to start, slap sides of cabinet. This
will realign bearings if unit has been roughly
handled during shipment.”

Thats one of the greatest things i’ve seen in a service manual.
 
Harry Klippton said:
Can you check the wire connections to the heads? Did you clean the heads?
Click to expand...
I will check the wires tomorrow. What is the best way to clean the heads? Isopropyl alcohol and q-tip? I have never serviced one of these so its all new to me. I am thinking of getting the kit to replace a few things from echofix. I am not going to do the caps though. If i needed a new head I wanted to get it all at once.
 
Yeah preferably lint free cotton swabs but you can worry about that later. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs. You want to rub the heads side to side in the direction of the tape travel. Don't put any alcohol on any rubber parts.
 
Harry Klippton said:
Yeah preferably lint free cotton swabs but you can worry about that later. I use 91% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs. You want to rub the heads side to side in the direction of the tape travel. Don't put any alcohol on any rubber parts.
Click to expand...
Ty sir. I will check the wires and clean the heads tomorrow and update.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top