BINSON ECHOREC B 2 (Baby 2)

We've been tape and disc echo fanatics for years and have accumulated an extraordinary collection of echo units. I've personally collected Binsons for many years and have sold many exceptional examples to very satisfied customers. If some of the wording below seems familiar, it's because other sellers have taken to copying my descriptions verbatim for their Ebay listings. This description is relevant to this machine only: B2 serial number 1501.

We've sold dozens of Echorecs in the past ten years; we understand how they should sound and function. We guarantee that this machine is as-described.

Please get in touch before buying with any questions.

Youtube demos below: the first is with a simple waveform from a Pearl Syncussion to clearly show the machine's strengths and weaknesses; the second is a Telecaster; the third a Funkbox 808 pattern. In all three demos, there is no further processing: the Binson is plugged directly into the desk and sound is via the studio monitors.

Offered for sale here is this valve (tube) Binson Echorec model B2 (Baby 2) disc echo dating from the mid 60s in excellent condition (see many more detailed photos below the description) and good working order.

In the past this machine has had all the necessary work carried out to make it an excellent example, including a full internal rewire, new disc and heads, inputs/outputs converted from 3 pin Gelosos to 1/4" jack sockets, and an earthed IEC mains socket. It has just had a thorough overhaul and calibration to ensure the best possible operation. There is however some wear to the disc/heads and it's not a pristine/perfect example. All Binsons display a level of hiss and some distortion on the repeats; I've tested this one against our two benchmark machines (a Baby that was totally rebuilt by Eric Snowball at ESE Music and an exceptional early Echorec 2) and it performs well, but does display higher levels of hiss/distortion than these two machines. It can be heard most clearly in the first YouTube demo above. As can be heard in the second two demos, in practice the hiss isn't a major hindrance (unless you're after modern clean sound in which case a 50 year old Binson isn't the right choice) and the level of distortion on the repeats can be very pleasing. This is a great creative machine - but not for you if you want perfect clean echoes.

Many Binsons sold on Ebay as working well (even ones that have been serviced and rewired) are not always up to scratch and this one betters many we've seen.

The motor can take a little time to get up to speed if it's not been used for some time, but the disc spins smoothly (machines can even require a nudge to get started if they've not been used for many months - this one doesn't). It will effortlessly spin into self-oscillation if required (this can be adjusted via the internal trimpot for more subtle or extreme effects) and is 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.

These machines need regular use and maintenance to remain 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 may 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).

It has a voltage selector so can be used anywhere in the world without modification.

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 poisitioned 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.

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.