Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

shredaholic

shredaholic

New member
There seems to be plenty of demand for it, judging by the success of the Fulltone tube-powered unit; and that costs a ton!

Couldn't a guitar effects company nowadays offer a solid-state tape delay/echo unit at a reasonable price? Surely high tooling costs would be offset if it was mass produced...
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

Like you said, Tooling cost would be high and tape units of the past where prone to failure. So reliability would be a issue to.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

shredaholic said:
There seems to be plenty of demand for it, judging by the success of the Fulltone tube-powered unit; and that costs a ton!
Click to expand...

It's niche market I think. I think authenticity is an issue too. I dunno how many gear geeks would be receptive to a SS "modelling" unit...sort of like tube snobs and solid state amplifiers...

...however, it would be a cool idea.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

It wouldn't be a modelling unit - I mean solid-state powered tape echos like the Echoplex EP-3 (which EVH used) and the later WEM Copycats. The reason I mentioned solidstate versions is because I'm presuming the original ss ones would be easier and cheaper to replicate.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

it's sort of an esoteric effect. You either dig it, or you have no use for it at all, and unfortunately the 2nd one is usually the case

but there's some good ones out there, danelectro makes some, roland chorus echos are AMAZING if you can afford them
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

Making those would be a major pain in the rear...at best, and getting good motors is the next it sucks to build part, then there is the actual tapes...
Well I would not touch it no matter the demands;)
Plus they are still cumbersome to drag around.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

shredaholic said:
It wouldn't be a modelling unit - I mean solid-state powered tape echos like the Echoplex EP-3 (which EVH used) and the later WEM Copycats. The reason I mentioned solidstate versions is because I'm presuming the original ss ones would be easier and cheaper to replicate.
Click to expand...


ah so...my comment was misplaced then. thanks for clearing it up!

But, alas, I think it's such a niche market that it'll still be in the realm of ebay traders, expensive and/or limited runs by major/boutique companies, and pawn shop hounds. It's a big deal for the space rock kids, shoegazers, and loopers but the average guitarist of today? I dunno...
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

Most guitarists find tape too much of a pain in the ass for it to be worth while. Alot of people have a hard enough time changing their guitar strings on a regular basis.....taking care of a tape delay would blow their mind.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

Plus getting the head demagnitised, and cleaned, the preassure rollers cleaned and changed when they wear out...it was crazy back then, and it is still a crazy thing to maintain:D
But a unique sound for sure.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

these are a *pain* to gig with and maintain. it seems now, the only use would be for bragging rights (which is important to a lot of people). Unless you try them side by side, there are wonderful hardware and software modelers which will get you 95% of that sound. And that 5% isn't worth the $1k these things are going for.
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

Screamingdaisy and Mincer pretty much nailed it. ;)
 
Re: Why don't companies build tape delay/echo anymore?

H&K REPLEX is all the delay I need (with the added bonus of reverb :D )
 
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