BINSON ECHOREC EC 3 - NOS!

Binson EC 3 disc echo for sale in near mint cosmetic condition (see detailed photos) and superb working order. Brand New Old Stock – it had never been run before we tested it. 

Price includes VAT at 20% (for sales in UK/EU) – buyers outside the EU please contact us for tax-free price of £1300.

This Binson was brand new and unused – it still had the original plastic shim that stops the jockey wheel making contact with the capstan. The disc was unmarked, the chamois leather disc cleaning pads were clean. A dab of oil, fired it up to test it and it’s no longer unused: it sounds absolutely stunning. It works as well as any Binson we’ve heard – will get our tech to check it over internally to make sure there’s nothing about to fail inside, but that could be all he needs to do. We’ll make sure it has one of our new oil bottles when it ships.

We will probably have to prise it out of Tony’s clutches: he’s already spent much too long noodling happily with it with that faraway look in his eye…

These rare desktop versions of the Italian disc echo units were made in the 70s around the same time as the legendary PE models. This is a solid state (transistor) model – it is extremely well made, reliable and versatile – as any head can be switched to replay or regeneration the user has access to a wide range of multiple and scatter echoes.

It has no cosmetic flaws and is as-new; operationally this machine does not disappoint. It sounds wonderful and inspires creativity when you play through it – whoever buys this will be effectively getting a brand new Binson in top operational condition which should give many years good service. The only minor issue is that the VU meter has stopped working (it may well just be stuck and we are currently investigating fixing this).

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 (unlikely – 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).

Price includes VAT at 20% (for sales in UK/EU) – buyers outside the EU please contact us for tax-free price of £1300. Ex-VAT sales possible to businesses and individuals in the EU with a valid VAT Number.

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.