I've gone (Rockabilly) Echo crazy..

[Surfguitar!]

Well as my name suggests I have been a die hard reverb enthusiast for years.. I'm really entrenched in Rockabilly these days though, and my new drug is echo... I currently have three. FWIW, to me, Reverb and/or Delay ain't Rockabilly - I think most would agree. Echo just does something the others cannot.

I have the Reel Echo by Danelectro, the newly reissued RE-20 Space Echo by Roland/Boss, and just bought a Fulltone TTE Tube Tape Echo. I found a guy locally that has an original RE-201 Roland Space Echo as well which I am also considering.

Anyway, I've had the Reel Echo for a while and love it - especially for the money. It's fantastic. I used it with my Relic Tweed Blues Jr. and my old Bassman with fantastic results. I might add that the weapon of choice for all these tests is (or was) either a Bigsby equipped Gretsch hollow body, or a Gibson ES-295.

The new RE-20 Space Echo has mixed reviews, but I love mine. I think it sounds great. I am not really a fan os Boss stuff but it is.. 1. Retro off the chart cool looking (always a plus) 2. No tape hassles! Huh? Who's with me..? 3. basically zero maintenence and 4. While it lacks a few features, I'm still satisfied due to the points I just made. I do NOT expect much from Boss, so I'll take it.

The TTE arrives in the mail anyday, I bought it for $775.00 shipped. I'm dying to see what all the fuss is about. If the Reel Echo and RE-20 are even close I may sell the TTE just because of the price tag, so it will need to deliver. I have never owned a tape echo, and I know is its the first choice for the die hards. Can't wait!

And finally, to the RE-201. I found one locally for $600.00 (which is too much $), if I can talk the guy down to $500.00 or so I'm going for it. I'm a Brian Setzer fan and he lives by his, so I may try it. I really don't want vintage tape hassles though. At least if would offer up a brief perspective, and then I may resell it. Not sure yet.. Any thoughts on the RE-201?

This organized chaos to me is all an education, and I will probably rid myself of the pedals/units that don't deliver the goods. I've got a '65 Deluxe Reverb, a '63 Bassman, and a Carr Mercury that are the test amps. I know the Mercury's EL34 tones are not desirable for Rockabilly, but it is my main jamming amp and it is here to stay..