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..

[wilerty]

I used to have a Dynacord Echocord back in the mid 60s and have always loved the two playback head galloping sound. I bought a RE-20 Space Echo and loved position 4, but that was about all and I was dissapointed with the reverb. I returned the RE-20 and went with a DD-20 and a RV-5, which I feel give me many more options and variety. The DD-20 in the tape mode can be set to two heads and gives a very similar sound to the RE-20. You seem to be much more of a fanatic about this than I am and the journey seems to be giving you a lot of pleasure ... enjoy.

[Cow_Punk]

When you get the TTE hooked up, let us know how you like it. I'm in the market for a hillbilly/rockabilly type echo to match with my Carr Rambler... I was thinking RE-20, right now I'm borrowing a Rocktron Short Timer that is okay.

Would you say the RE-20 is better or worse than the Reel echo? Or if just different, how?

[Surfguitar!]

wilerty, I see your point, but I never ever expect much out of pedal reverb, or pedal echo. The reverb for the original RE-201 and RI RE-20 both are there to accent the echo. If you need drippy drench, a tank is the only option. So with regard to reverb and echo, if you're not dealing with "tanks and/or tape" anything else will be less than the best. It's the things I mentioned before that make the RE-20 so cool. Looks, no tape hassles, etc. It's kinda like a Blackberry, it doen't do e-mail great and it's an averege phone at best, but to have it all in one package is nice.

Cow_Punk, the Reel Echo is a fantastic looking and sounding pedal. It's probably only half as versatile as the RE-20 though as it has no reverb. It does the slap back thing well. It's not as "spacey" as the RE-20. A lot of Gretsch Rockabilly players dig them. If you can get one for $90.00 or so try it out. Is the Carr Rambler EL-34? Is the Short Timer a delay?

[Cow_Punk]

Surf,

The Carr Rambler is a 6L6 amp with a 12" and built-in reverb and the Rocktron Short Timer is a fairly inexpensive digital delay that is modeled for slapback sounds. I haven't yet tried a Reel Echo with my amp.

I may pick up a RE-20 just for the "wow" factor

[eric-d]

I really dig my little Maxon AD-80 for the slapp'ish stuff.....

[opdev]

I wnet echo crazy and settled on the TTE. Sounds the best to my ears. However, then I got off the wagon and I don't use it so much......

I'd like to try the analogman delay.

[Surfguitar!]

opdev, I'm Tube Fired from the FDP. You sold me the '66 BFVR, and we've talked Carr amps, etc. One of the main reasons I bought the TTE is based on your feedback of the dual amp configuration. I'm thinking about a BFPR to run with the Carr Mercury.

[Jules6120]

I have a used a Fulltone TTE for a couple of years. It is as good as all the hype I think.

Other great rockabilly "slap back" pedals are Maxon AD999, Memory Man and my Chandler SDE (which is awesome).

For amps at the moment I'm using a Carr Rambler or a Fender 57 twin. Both work great with slapback.

Good Luck in your addiction...

[mad dog]

Hey Surf: If you can get your hands on an H&K Replex, give it a whirl. I've never played through a real tape echo, so bear that in mind. Still, the Replex has an impressive sound. My other delay is a Maxon AD999, a warm and beautiful delay sound for sure. The Replex is different. Just as warm, imparts more drive/gain and has this atmospheric presence that really works live. BTW, I mostly use delay with reverb, either the Fender outboard tank or lately a Radical Red Reverbarator. Some older amps seem to prefer delay only. Me, I'm such a delay junky, it's always on.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by Surfguitar!

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?

The 201's sound great. As you mention, it is the Setzer standard. In addition to the great sounding delay you also have the high-med-low switch that you can use to overdrive the signal a bit if you want. If you don't want to hassle with a tape machine then this is all beside the point. Properly serviced they are reliable.

[Surfguitar!]

I have a used a Fulltone TTE for a couple of years. It is as good as all the hype I think.

You know, this will sound shocking.. you're right, but I only owned the TTE for one day - that's right, one. It was $750.00 and while it had superb echo characteristics, I prefer the RE-20 (for the money) due to the fact that it has reverb incorporated. I know these two are not in the same league but when I'm using my '63 Bassman, echo alone won't always cut it for me. It can be a dry amp that does not "carry well" without a splash of reverb at less than deafening volumes. I found the TTE to be very sweet, but it was not for me. The Roland RE-201 would probably be more ideal being that it has reverb. I might try that for grins.

Yes Sir(s)! The AD-999 is a fantastic pedal, it is a delay though. That's fine, it is very suitable for slapback. Mine worked good for that, I have owned two. The second one I owned did not work well with my Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (a big, DRY amp), but it was in-line vs. in the loop. It actually sounded kind of digital in-line. No strikes against it for that though, I didn't give it much of a chance.

I think the Reel Echo and RE-201 are just as good as the AD-999 for less money. For Rockabilly slap back that is..