Some useful information on keeping your Echorec running well and sounding fantastic (if it sounded fantastic in the first place – most machines we receive are in need of extensive restoration to function safely and as they should…).
Binson Echorecs have a reputation for being difficult to own and care for. However, the reality is that regular maintenance of one is not difficult or time-consuming, and actually the most important thing you can do (beyond keeping the disc clean and lightly oiled – see below) is to USE IT regularly.
Read on for plenty to help you to be a responsible Echorec owner, plus you will find manuals and some other trouble-shooting information.
This page is a work in progress. So far below you will find:
- A growing list of basic binson Do's and dont's
- Information on cleaning and maintenance.
- Some info about dealing with lack of jockey wheel pressure
- An extra note about care of Varispeed modified machines
For more general information about these machines and other useful links head to our main Binson Echorec page.
Binson Do's and Don'ts:
(Just a few to get you started - more coming soon!)
DO:
- RTFM - understanding how to keep your machine running well will save you time (and quite possibly money) in the future. It also makes you a Good Person. Scroll down to dig into that manual now!
- Use your Echorec as often as possible - this will bring you deep joy, and it will also help to keep it at peak performance. At least once a month.
- Let it warm up before you worry that the sound isn't right - some machines can take 20 or more minutes to reach optimum temperature under cold conditions.
DON'T:
- Adjust heads or drum!
- Over-lubricate the drum - an oily drum or oil-soaked pad will reduce fidelity, feedback and can result in the jockey wheel slipping causing 'seasickness'.
- Try to adjust the heads to "improve" contact with the drum - this requires skill and care - if you have one of our machines speak to us before being tempted to make your own adjustments!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING THE HEADS & DRUM OF AN ECHOREC:
Tony's going to add his own version here shortly, adapted from the original Binson Manual.
You can down a full scan (14MB) of a Binson Echorec manual (however when you buy a Soundgas Binson we supply an amended version, tailored to your model and it's modifications)
Video of the process from Marcello, designer of the modern "Special Binson":
OTHER ISSUES:
BINSON DISC NOT SPINNING/STARTING SLOWLY OR WARBLING REPEATS CAUSED BY LACK OF JOCKEY WHEEL PRESSURE:
First thing to do – clean capstan and jockey wheel with a cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol. If the jockey wheel surface is in a bad way acetone can be used to remove a thin layer of rubber and improve drum. Clean the lower section of the drum (where the jockey wheel makes contact) with liquid lighter fluid (naptha/petroleum ether) if excess oil is causing the jockey wheel to slip resulting in poor drive.
If that doesn’t cure it, carefully/slightly slacken off the screw below and apply a little extra pressure to move the silver piece (may also be a spring type assembly) towards the capstan, then re-tighten screw.
Do not force it or leave jockey wheel tightly up against capstan (it should not cause the jockey wheel to compress): this can wear motor and leave a dent in the jockey wheel, which when left unused for a time which will cause an audible warble. We’re talking a slight adjustment to make the wheel engage more readily. It’s worth leaving the cover off for a few days while to see if you’ve got it right.