Fulltone Custom Effects
Solid State Tape Echo
Additional Photos:
Everything about Fulltone gear is impressive - from its vintage inspiration to the care taken in its design. Not to mention the fact that all their pedals are hand-built using top-notch components. As a result, Fulltone lives up to its name and delivers rich, fat-sounding TONE TOOLS that you can rely on.
The Solid State Tape Echo (SSTE) is a study in preserving the best of vintage while making it even better. Fulltone's SSTE had its beginnings back in the early 80's when Michael Fuller bought an old 70's Echoplex EP-3 tape delay. He discovered first hand why great artists like Page, early Van Halen, Brian May and Steve Stevens favoured the early EP 3's...because of the sound and feel of the preamp. "The first version EP-3's cut a bit of Bass and boost the highs a little, creating a beautiful sound and feel that no other delay, nor any of the 'EP-3 preamp pedals' can accurately create when running on anything less than 22 volts. That's just what a loud 4x12 Marshall amp needs....less bass, and more clarity."
But there was a downside to those EP 3's - ever-present hum and, frankly put, a lot of noise. So here is this century's solution, the Fulltone Solid State Tape Echo.
Features:
• 1/3 smaller than the original Echoplex. Handmade and bullet-proof.
• 1/4" tape for FAT sounding delay, using the ball-bearing equipped Fulltone ETC-1 Tape Cartridge.
• None of the Hiss and Hum found in vintage Echoplexes.
• Optimal 1.1 mega ohm Input impedance and super-low 10K output impedance SSTE has none of the issues that Echoplexes have driving long cables and is not affected by devices coming before or after, either.
• True-Bypass toggle switch, which you won't use much because of the SSTEs low output impedance, but its nice to be able to bypass to check your levels.
• 2 Tape speeds with a moveable Playback head to achieve everything from super-quick Plate Reverb emulations, to Rockabilly slapbacks, to a full 1 second delays. Manipulating a moveable playback head is the only way to achieve the Jimmy Page-like self-oscillating trick using a tape echo.
• 2 Preamp Modes:
EP-3 mode is the identical TIS58 JFET circuit of the first version (pre-serial #9451) Echoplex EP-3, offering that slight bass cut and slight treble boost favored by Page, Brian May, Steve Stevens, Tommy Bolin, etc. that works so well in high-volume stage situations.
Full mode is dead-on, honest, full-range rich sound, just like your bypassed sound, in case you aren't craving that unique EP-3 color.
• Separate Instrument Volume & Echo Volume control knobs - unlike the single Mix knob on an EP-3 which gave a fixed Instrument Volume and increased Hum as you turned clockwise. The SSTEs Instrument Volume knob has a center detente at 12 o'clock denoting unity gain and up to 10dB of clean boost available as you turn clockwise.
• Echo Repeats - turn clockwise to add repeats, and easily go into self-oscillation around 1 oclock depending on Record Level knob setting.
• Echo Highs tone switch: affects only the Echo Repeats, not your guitar tone.
Vintage - a true EP-3 sound is captured.
Brilliant - allows more overtones and highs on the repeats - a subtle difference, not trebly.
• Record Level - small mini-knob adjusts how much signal smacks the tape. 3 o'clock is normal, above that and the Echoes get THICKER.
Q & A
Reviews
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Solid State Tape Echo | 436082 |
