Binson Echorec Baby Pre-Order (Super Slow Varispeed mod)
Binson Echorec Baby Pre-Order (Super Slow Varispeed mod)
Brand: Binson
Sorry it's gone. We may have another in stock or on the way. Please enquire below (or check our weekly Gear Update for incoming rarities).
Unique Baby Binson Echorec for sale serviced and modified with our new super-slow varispeed option. It has a freshly-rewound drum and sounds superb following a thorough rebuild/restoration courtesy of our echo tech, Dr Huw.
This is a pre-order listing - it will ship when we have completed the restoration which is in progress. This could mean a delay of up to a month - we only ship when we are satisfied machines cannot be further-improved.
I've never seen another Baby like this - it has a gold faceplate with a later-style vertical magic eye level indicator aperture. The finish is a slightly translucent gold over silver - almost certainly a later refinish. It's possible this machine was either built to order after the Baby had ceased regular production, or it's an early machine that returned to the factory for a cosmetic restoration, hence the unique, but apparently authentic face plate.
It has had a full restoration here at Soundgas with varispeed mod performed by our echo tech, Dr Huw. The super-slow varispeed motor option offers the full functionality of regular speed uses, but with additional super-slow speeds for longer, darker, dirtier repeats. This can get properly gnarly when pushed into distortion at slow speed - it should be noted that at the slowest speeds very little fidelity or feedback happens - this is for special effects only rather than regular use.
Demo below of the only other machine with similar spec that we have finished so far - kept for our studio - this shows the more extreme side of the super-slow varipseed option (more Echorec demos further down the listing) - full photos of this machine to follow.
Please note, the photos were taken during servicing/testing period - the unit will undergo further cleaning before shipping and some parts will be replaced/improved.
A post shared by Soundgas Limited (@soundgasltd) on
CONDITION: In very good cosmetic condition for its age. The face is very clean with only very minor scuffs and scratches. The casing has minor signs of age but is in good order - the refinish presents well. See photos for more information on cosmetic condition.
UPDATE: Tony has written a demo-heavy guide to choosing between some of the Binson models: Which Binson Echorec?.
The last Echorec 2 we restored had a starring role on That Pedal Show ('Best Tone Ever'). See the look on Mick and Dan's faces when they plug in to one of our T7Es for the first time. If you love David Gilmour's guitar sound in early seventies Pink Floyd, then a good restored valve Echorec 2 is where you need to be, and ours are the best you can buy. The Baby was famously used by Syd Barrett in early Floyd and by Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin.
Our Binson restoration process is the result of over 20 years' obsession with these stunning machines. In our experience, no one engineer can achieve the results we require: our machines pass through three expert pairs of hands before they are given the Soundgas seal of approval.
All our valve Echorecs undergo a full rebuild and varispeed conversion by an experienced Binson engineer before passing to our in-house echo specialist, Dr Huw. He invariably spends many hours over the course of a couple of weeks swapping components and recalibrating, until he feels they can’t be improved.
The machines then pass to Tony for further testing and tweaking - extended testing often reveals minor faults that we rectify before shipping. A machine can revisit the Soundgas tech dept several times before final calibration and pre-shipping preparation. We only ship when we are confident that we cannot improve on performance any further.
We feel these machines are worth this level of time and care. We see ‘restored’ machines on sale that should really be described as ‘characterful’ (nothing wrong with selling a characterful Binson, as long as description and price reflect this).
A well-restored machine should perform without any noticeable issues (beyond the foibles inherent in the original design); our six-month warranty is a testament to our confidence that our machines are unequalled.
The varispeed mod is excellent and opens up the creative possibilities of this machine. Note that repeats will become darker and less prone to feedback at very slow speeds (the speed control range is wide - this allows some unusual effects).
Switchable voltage for worldwide use.
*Videos below this are of previous Echorecs we've sold - the third one is Dan from #ThatPedalShow in our studio encountering our Echorec 2 for the first time*
A post shared by Soundgas Limited (@soundgasltd) on
A post shared by Soundgas Limited (@soundgasltd) on
** NOTE: Our Binsons (especially valve units) sell very quickly, usually before we can get them listed. If you are interested in getting one of these machines serviced and set up to our exacting standards then please get in touch to reserve one **
We may have other models of Binson here now; see our full current stock of tape/disc echoes here. If you have any questions about which delay is best for you then please get in touch as we have many years experience with these machines.
Binson Echorecs are amazingly-engineered machines: where a tape echo's 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 or reverb-like swells - these units have a sound all of their own. They look fantastic at night (or on a darkened stage) with the magic eye valve glowing 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.
Product Description
Condition
Voltage Information
Tax
HALLAM KITE
"Excellent equipment, wonderful service. I fully recommend Soundgas to anyone in the vintage gear market and I will definitely be a return customer. The gear itself was exactly as advertised and in great condition."
DAVID WRENCH
“I’ve bought a number of items from Soundgas recently, and have been really impressed with their service. It takes the stress out of buying vintage gear to know it’s been properly (and faithfully) serviced or restored. Their after-sales service has also been exemplary. Highly recommended.”
TOM JOHNSTON
Fantastic. From initial contact to the product landing at my door the service provided was outstanding. Safe and secure shipping, quality serviced product.
MATTHEW HERBERT
"Finally, a company that tracks down all those brilliant curiosities that bring so much character and personality to a studio."
JOSH LLOYD-WATSON & TOM MCFARLAND - JUNGLE
“Imagine the perfect eBay.... with everything you never knew you wanted… and you can rest assured that your vintage and rare wobbly sound device will turn up on time and in one piece and possibly in even better condition that when it left the workshop. Soundgas - literally amazing."