BINSON ECHOREC PE603-M (modified)

A unique Binson PE 603-M valve disc echo in excellent cosmetic condition (see detailed photos) and superb working order.

We're tape and disc echo specialists and always have a good selection of vintage echo machines. Check out our other listings for more serviced Binsons, valve and solid state Copicats, Roland Space/Chorus Echoes.

We've sold dozens of Echorecs in the past ten years; we understand how they should sound and function. Along the way we've learned that many Binsons sold on Ebay as working well (even ones that have been serviced and rewired) are not always up to scratch.

We guarantee that this machine will not disappoint: see the YouTube demo below (coming soon) to hear for yourself how good this machine sounds.

Please note: 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 own listings. This description is relevant to this machine only: PE 603-M serial #124.

The PE 603 series were the most rugged and advanced machines Binson ever produced – housed in a very robust and heavy metal case.

This one's had an extensive and complete mechanical and electrical refurbishment, including a full rewire and a new old stock disc. The heads have been refinished and aligned for optimum performance: operationally this is about as close as you'll get to a new machine.

A stock 603M is for use only as part of a mixer/rack set-up, with only line level input signals and a wet-only output: not much use for a guitarist. That's why we've had this modified to accept a guitar level input and to give a wet-dry mixed output - the balance can be adjusted via the internal trimpot. It allows selection of a combination of the 4 replay heads via the individual head selector switches for 14 different echo patterns. The Echo/Repeat buttons switch between a single echo or multiple repeats, with the Length Of Swell pot controlling the amount of feedback - from minimal to frenzied cosmic mayhem...

It sounds wonderful and inspires creativity when you play through it - whoever buys this will be getting a great machine in top operational condition which should give many years good service.

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.

It has a voltage selector switch so can be used worldwide without modification.

These machines need regular use and maintenance to remain in good working order. There are currently no operational issues with this unit at all, but please be aware that these units require looking after and that regular 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 (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).

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.

This 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 further calibration may be necessary.