Roland RE-201 Space Echo MINT CONDITION!

Stunning example of the mighty Space Echo, for sale serviced, in excellent working order and sounding fantastic. This one is about as clean as it gets: truly very near mint condition. It comes complete with its original Roland vinyl cover and there’s even a spare unused original NOS RT-1L tape in the pouch along with the cleaning kit. This is as close as you’ll get to a new Space Echo.

We are vintage echo experts – we specialise in Binsons, Copicats, Rolands, Echoplexes and in finding interesting and rare vintage delay machines. You can see our current listed vintage tape and other echoes here, but there are always more on our full stock list; if you don’t see what you are looking for then get in touch – many of our machines are sold before they ever get listed.

This machine is in top operating condition following a full service by our tape echo specialist with various new parts as required, including new tape. Set up to Roland factory spec. Sounding superb. Guaranteed to give reliable service.

Cosmetic condition is exceptional with virtually no signs of age. Tolex in good condition with possibly a few very small scuffs and dings. Heads and internal surfaces in excellent condition. 

Please note that the original Japanese instructions on the inside of the lid were in a poor state so we’ve replaced them with one of our Soundgas reproductions. The silver sticker with Japanese instructions for tape replacement has also been replaced with English instructions courtesy of Echo Fix.

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

• It is a 100v Japanese model converted to North American mains 120v.
• A step-down transformer is required in the UK/EU.
• We do not recommend using cheap generic Chinese mains transformers and can supply a high quality UK-made unit if required.

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Roland Space and Chorus Echoes are amazing machines – if you’re only going to have one tape echo, then this is the one (IMHO): the multi-head echo combinations together with a great spring reverb adds up to a classic piece of studio gear, the sound of which you’ve heard on countless records. It could be said that this machine is the sound of dub.

Tape echoes and spring reverbs are more relevant today than ever: musicians, engineers and producers harness the unmistakable sound of analogue delay/reverb in current productions. The spring reverb sound of a Space Echo is all over Alabama Shakes’ stunning album, Boys & Girls, and top mix engineers such as Tom Elmhirst (Adele) use spring reverb and tape echo – the texture, tone and warmth sit beautifully in the mix.

From subtle sweetening with a subtle dusting of echo and spring reverb, to full on dubtastic self-oscillating madness, this machine is capable of a wide range of effects. The combination of echo, chorus and spring sound fabulous on guitar, piano, synth etc – there is a warm sense of familiarity as a result of these units’ classic status whether you’re recording or playing live. The repeats are not perfect – this is after all 30-plus year-old tape-based technology – if you want perfect repeats, buy a digital delay. The Sound On Sound feature sounds great and I’ve just spent an hour noodling away happily – throw in a bit of Chorus and Reverb and you’ve got a complete sound for your guitar, keys, synths etc…

There are currently no operational issues with this machine, but please be aware that these units require looking after and that regular use and maintenance are key to keeping this in good working order.

Please be aware that it is a vintage unit and may not take kindly to being shipped. It will be well-packed, but if it’s not behaving as it should on receipt, please get in touch. Please be aware that to own a machine such as this, you must be prepared to have it regularly checked over and maintained by a competent technician: it should withstand being shipped, but some calibration may be necessary.