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We're tape and disc echo specialists and always have a good selection of vintage echo machines. Check out our other listings for fully-serviced Binsons, Copicats, Echoplexes and Roland Space/Chorus Echoes. I've personally collected Binsons for many years and understand how they should sound and function.
As business sellers, we have sold dozens of Echorecs in the past ten years to very satisfied customers (see feedback examples below); we guarantee that this machine is as-described.
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: Baby serial number 1412.
Please get in touch before buying with any questions.
A valve (tube) Binson Echorec Baby disc echo dating from the early-mid 60s in excellent condition (see the many detailed photos) and good working order.
This machine has just had a full mechanical and electrical service, including replacing the power transformer with a period-correct Binson part, cleaning/lubricating the motor, head replacement/aligning and calibration. The inputs/outputs have been converted from 3 pin Gelosos to 1/4" jack sockets and an earthed IEC mains socket has been installed. Two switches have been installed on the front: the first switches the motor off for use as a preamp only, the second cuts the feedback out to enable single snapback-style repeats.
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 repeats are thick and creamy and inspire creativity - the preamp is great - the modifications are useful and work well.
UPDATE: we have now made some demos of the actual unit for sale which you can see below - the first is with guitar, the second with Funkbox 808 drum machine. Hopefully they show the creative possibilities of this machine.
Inevitably there is some wear to the disc/heads and signs of use: this is a 50 year-old machine. 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 as well as can be expected of a used Binson. The YouTube demos of this actual machine are now ready - the first is above; contact us if you want to see/hear more. As you will hear, the usual level of 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 distortion on the repeats can be very pleasing. This is a great creative machine - but not for you if you want perfect clean echoes.
It's possible that the motor might take a little time to get up to speed if it's not been used for some time, but at present it's starting very swiftly indeed (machines can even require a nudge to get started if they've not been used for many months - this one doesn't). The disc spins smoothly and without undue noise. It will effortlessly spin into self-oscillation if required 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.
Shipping discount available if paying by bank transfer.
