BINSON ECHOREC T5E

I've personally collected Binsons for many years and have recently sold some of the best machines from my collection to satisfied customers. If some of the wording below seems familiar, it's because other Ebay sellers have taken to copying our descriptions verbatim for their own listings. This description is relevant to this machine only: T5E serial number 875.  We have 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.

Early valve (tube) Binson Echorec model T5E disc echo dating from the late 50s in excellent restored condition and perfect working order. It has had low hours since it was rebuilt by Eric Snowball at Binson UK, and has just been serviced and calibrated. During our tests, the output of the first position head was found to be poor and it was replaced with a NOS head - it now works very well indeed: this represents a unique opportunity to buy a very early T5E in excellent condition. Eric is no longer restoring these machines, and this one had the benefit of a new disc and heads when he rebuilt it - a genuine late 50s echo which sounds like it's only a year or two old… The travel case has some exterior scuffs and damage, and the knobs are not original, but overall it's a great example. Eric converted it to an IEC mains socket for safety and also installed 1/4" jack sockets on the inputs and outputs to replace the 3 pin Gelosos. 

This T5E is a great early Binson: it is rare to find one in such good order. We've bought many Binsons over the years, and this is not only the earliest T5E we've seen, it's also the best-sounding. 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. Being a good quality valve unit, it also sounds wonderful as a pre-amp.

The motor starts well and the disc spins smoothly and quietly (some machines can require a nudge to get started if they've not been used for many months). It will go 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.

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 entirely 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). 

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.

Some of our gear will have VAT at 20% added in the UK/EU, but a lot of it won't. This should hopefully clarify the situation but if you have any questions then please get in touch.

ITEMS WITH VAT:

• These items will have two prices visible: with and without the tax.
• If you are buying in the UK/EU you will receive an invoice showing the tax component.
• If you are buying these items outside the EU when you get to the check out and enter your shipping location you will be charged the ex-VAT price.
• VAT-free sales are also possible to businesses within the EU with a valid VAT number. You will need to contact us in order to buy via this means.

ITEMS WITHOUT VAT:

• Much of what we sell is classified as "Second Hand Goods" and so while we still pay some tax, there is no recoverable/deductible component for sales to any part of the world.
• So, the price you see is the price you pay wherever you are.

ALSO NOTE:

• Shipping charges are also subject to VAT at 20% within the UK/EU - this is included within the prices you see for shipping to those areas - it is not shown separately in the cart but will be shown on the VAT invoice you receive with your goods.

WE OFFER FREE SHIPPING TO THE UK! There are some exclusions for distant areas and islands (see below), and also some occasional exclusions for very large/heavy/valuable items which will be clearly noted in the item descriptions.

IMPORTANT! BUYING MORE THAN ONE ITEM FROM OUTSIDE OF THE UK?

• You will need a bespoke shipping quote!
• Our shipping calculator on here won't give you the right figure (and may well not give you one at all).
• Please get in touch via the contact page and we can give an accurate shipping figure for multiple items.
• If it is outside office hours and you are concerned about missing a piece of gear then buy it at the quoted shipping rate, send us a message saying what else it is you want to add, and we will deal with the discount once we are back on email.
• You can do this with absolute confidence that we will give you a full refund if the final shipping quote is doesn't work for you.

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We are very experienced at packing and shipping valuable and sensitive gear worldwide - Binson Echorecs, large valve amps, vintage synths - you name it, we've sent it and it's arrived in one piece. Obviously from time to time with vintage items there are times when gear arrives in need of some adjustment or calibration, and some times a piece of gear that was working 100% just chooses the day after arriving for a new fault to develop - however, we are also very experienced at dealing with these occurences and will always work with you to solve the problem

The shipping prices for our gear vary considerably depending on the type of gear, value and destination. Currently the only way for you to see shipping is to put the item you are interested in the cart and then either use the shipping estimator or go into the check out process. Or just contact us and we'll tell you what you need to know.

Also note that we have have not entered automatic shipping for every country. The countries we ship to most often will have shipping rates and we are in the process of adding more shipping fees to the check out process. But if you are looking at an item that doesn't have the fee information you need then please use the contact page or call on 07543 855788.

If you are considering a purchase and want to check you have our best rate then please always contact us direct and we will give you an exact figure.

Also note that for some items we are able to discount shipping to North America - continental USA and Canada. The fees you see at check out will take this discount into account. But if you have a question... you know what to do.

WHO DO WE USE?

We use Royal Mail, UPS and DPD/Interlink - it depends on the item and destination as to which is the most economical. If you have a preference then we should be able to accommodate it (but we may need to pass on any additional costs).

EXCLUSIONS TO FREE UK SHIPPING:

We are not able to ship free to some of the UK islands (e.g. Channel Islands) and also to some of the further reaches of Scotland. If you think you might be in one of those area and want an accurate shipping quote before you buy then please get in touch.

There are also some items which we cannot offer free shipping on to the UK. These will be clearly noted in the description.