BINSON ECHOREC 606 TR6

UPDATE – we now stock the Echosex 2º pedal from Gurus Amps, an Italian-made reincarnation of the Binson Echorec sound in pedal form. Doesn’t do everything a Binson does but the sound is right and… it’s only £279. See our full Echosex listing and video demos here.

We’ve sold dozens of Echorecs in the past ten years; we understand how they should sound and function. Along the way we’ve learned that many Binsons sold on Ebay as working well (even ones that have been serviced and rewired) are not always up to scratch. 

We guarantee that this machine will not disappoint: see the YouTube demo below (coming soon) to hear for yourself how good this machine sounds.

[YouTube demos to follow.]

 

This is an almost unique (one of only two) Binson 606 TR6x2 disc echo for sale in very good cosmetic condition (see detailed photos) and superb working order.

The stock six head 606 was already a formidable machine, but this one has been modified to Soundgas Special with the second switchable record head.

The extra record head allows longer delay times and, in conjunction with the original rec head, many new multi-head patterns. 

The rear three-position head selector switch controls which record head(s) are in use: 

1. With the original rec head (B) switched in it’s a stock 606.

2. With both heads switched in, you open up a whole new palette of multi-head repeats – the machine will tend to self-oscillate more readily with this setting.

3. With added rec head (A), it’s a 606 but with much longer delay times – approaching 900m/sec. 

As a result of the modifications you have 108 delay patterns to chose from as opposed to a stock machine’s 36. This machine has had very little use from new so the disc and heads are in superb condition.

The classic bloom-like Swell setting, combined with the additional head patterns makes this a fantastic and unique mix effect.

It sounds wonderful and inspires creativity when you play through it – whoever buys this will be getting a great machine in top operational condition which should give many years good service. 

The motor starts well and spins happily and without issue. It will go into self-oscillation very swiftly on certain settings if required (this can be adjusted via the internal trimpot for more subtle or extreme effects, but it’s been set-up for optimum performance) and it’s capable of all sorts of cosmic noises – Binsons do tend to encourage experimental noise-mongering. The repeats are not hifi – this is after all 50 year-old technology – if you want perfect repeats, buy a digital delay. 

There are currently no operational issues with this unit at all, but please be aware that these units require looking after and that regular use and maintenance is the key to keeping this in good working order. They are very delicate: minute adjustments are made to the heads’ positions for optimum performance, so it is possible that this machine will need to be calibrated again after shipping (most withstand shipping with careful packing, but the buyer should be prepared to have this done if required).

(Please note: it is always possible with vintage equipment that some crackly pots/sliders may develop over time when equipment has not been used – even during shipping – this can usually be easily rectified either by use or judicious application of suitable switch-cleaning spray).

Binson Echorecs are amazingly-engineered machines: where a tape echo’s (ie Copicat) input sound is recorded to tape, on a Binson it is recorded onto a circular spinning disc which has replay heads positioned around it. It is possible to select single and repeating echoes – these units have a sound all of their own. They look fantastic at night (or on a darkened stage) with the magic eye valve gowing green and the backlit plexiglass fascia.

Binsons were one of the must-have pieces of equipment for bands in the early sixties, alongside the Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30. Famously-used and abused by Barrett, Gilmour, Waters and Wright of Pink Floyd in the 60s and early 70s (Echorec 2s are very much in evidence on Live at Pompeii and can be seen on photos from many Floyd live shows), Binsons are increasingly sought-after today by studios, mix engineers and producers for their unique sound: Michael Brauer (Stones, McCartney, Coldplay) famously has an Echorec 2 in his arsenal of vintage delays.