Maestro's Echoplex tape delays are widely considered the gold standard when it comes to authentic, vintage tape delay tone. Decades later, nothing really captures the vibe, tone, and response of an old Echoplex unit. We're quickly reminded of just how great these units are when plugging into this lovely example from 1977. While the EP-2 garners a lot of attention due to its tube-based circuitry, the solid state EP-3 has secured its corner of the tonesphere on its most legendary sonic merits. The preamp design and sound alone made the EP-3 the most popular Echoplex variant to date. EP-3s tend to be a little clearer and brighter sounding - a little more "hi fi" if you will - than its predecessors. In a band or mix context, an EP-3 will certainly make sure that both your dry signal and your repeats are heard. All that extra harmonic content really creates some tonal magic! This is one of the later-period "wide logo" EP-3 units just before Maestro moved onto the EP-4. It's just gone through a routine service by one of our trusted local amp techs, (and self-proclaimed tape delay junkie) Stan Day. These later 70s units feature a thicker particle board enclosure with a different logo/badge, and most of the units manufactured in 1977 have the integrated compressor circuit. This unit does not, so it's more in line with units built in 1976 and earlier. It's got the rare and often missing original footswitch, along with the original control knobs. Overall condition is excellent, with minimal wear to the enclosure and some light patina on the hardware. The Maestro Echoplex EP-3 is the tape delay by which all other delays are measured. Priced with additional tape cartridge.
