Rapiers Echo unit missing

[Geoff Strachan]

The echo unit that has gone missing is the one in the picture. Colin had it in a flight case as a spare with other things. It is this case and it's contents that has gone walkabout. The unit being used on the tour is indeed the Vox/Meazzi replica.

Geoff

[alandjackson]

Colin tells me that the "VOX/Meazzi" replica is the echo unit part of a tape-loop Meazzi Factotum which has been built into a case almost identical to a VOX/Meazzi Model 2. It looks and sounds great and it is a relief that this machine hasn't 'disappeared' as well.

Alan D. Jackson.

[MeBHank]

Colin tells me that the "VOX/Meazzi" replica is the echo unit part of a tape-loop Meazzi Factotum which has been built into a case almost identical to a VOX/Meazzi Model 2. It looks and sounds great and it is a relief that this machine hasn't 'disappeared' as well.

Alan D. Jackson.

That's interesting, Alan. I've heard differently. The man who made the unit told me that it's an analogue reworking of the Atlantis concept, employing chips instead of tape heads. Also, it cannot be opened in the same way as a tape or wheel unit for maintenance and when I peered through the holes in the top of it I could see no moving parts. Colin himself told me that, although it sounds good, it doesn't sound quite as good as his Meazzi which broke down a fair while ago and I don't believe has been used live since. Colin has used the Model II replica on stage for most gigs since he received it, including ShadowMania 2011. It looks superb and suits the Rapiers' image perfectly.

J

[Didier]

The man who made the unit told me that it's an analogue reworking of the Atlantis concept, employing chips instead of tape heads.

I have heard the same.

Didier

[alandjackson]

I spoke to Colin yesterday evening to do with some VOX column p.a. speakers which "The Rapiers" have bought from me. These have been fitted with some modern drive units and go VERY LOUD so that they can have an authentic system on stage.

I mentioned the discussion on this site and asked him about the replica. He said that his intention was to have a unit build using a wheel-type mechanism but this was proving difficult to achieve. I suggested that he tries to find one of the portable music centres that were popular in the seventies and eighties which had a record player with a small turntable. This would form the basis for such an echo machine much like the mechanism for the Models 'J' and the later '2'.

As for the rest of the replica. The circuitry is nearly all valve (Colin prefers valves) along the lines of the Meazzi circuits Jeff has. There are some solid state parts: it is much easier to design a consistent bias oscillator circuit using transistors and so avoiding the complexity of an expensive mains transformer which would be needed to drive an output pentode to do the same job. The unit does use a tape-loop transport system and the top of the unit is held on via four screws which are easily removed for servicing, changing a tape loop etc. in the same way as H:H echoes do. I misunderstood Colin's initial description to me when I thought he said that it was a Meazzi based unit and I assumed that he had used his other Factotum.

Jeff is an excellent chap and engineer and he will do his best to fulfil Colin's dreams.

Alan.

[David Martin]

Would someone like my transistor Binson as a starting point for a new echo for Colin... works just fine.

[phil kelly]

When i saw the said echo in question i was told it has no moving parts, no tape loop etc, no valves, purely a cosmetic replica , reason being it had broken down at a gig and whilst trying to find the fault i suggested perhaps a valve had gone down or a component, then being told no as there isnt any,it didnt even have a typical chassis style build that could be removed as with the meazzis/vox units, could this be another rehoused atlantis perhaps ? looked good though , but never heard it,
Phil.

[s4wgb]

Nice to see your posting again Phil.

[alandjackson]

It seems that Colin is not really sure what is inside the machine even though he knows what he would like there! I shall withdraw my previous comments since Geoff (sorry I spelt your name wrong before) is the only person who knows his own work.

Dave's suggestion is worthy of consideration. I gave Charlie Hall an old Echorec 2 and he re-sited the four heads on it to the timing of the Echomatic Model 2. Using the 'Swell' setting and the selector to position 4, so that all four heads were 'on' and feedback was taken only from Head 4, he got an amazing and authentic sound after setting the head levels using the presets inside the Binson. The unit developed other faults, nothing to do with the modification, and and he gave it away.

Sorry for any confusion.

Alan.

[dave robinson]

Would someone like my transistor Binson as a starting point for a new echo for Colin... works just fine.

Didier told us some time ago that Patrice Bastien successfully converted a Binson to replicate a Meazzi 'wheel' machine.
I had David's Binson in the studio for a while and it does have a certain 'magic' in the echo tone, for which I believe the wheel mechanism/design is responsible for.