ADVANCE NOTIFICATION...HALL & COLLINS ECHO

[Abbeyroadie]

ADVANCE NOTIFICATION !!! NEW HALL & COLLINS ECHO ....
For those of you who have asked Charlie to put you on his waiting list for the new Hall & Collins Echo and for those of you that are interested I have a little unofficial news.
Firstly by way of explanation to those of you that do not know and might be asking who am I to make any comment, Charlie & I ran Echoes From The Past together for about 10 years and have been good friends for longer still. I expect only because of that history and experience we gained together I was last night given a unique opportunity for which I feel privileged as I have no connection to the new unit or Charlie's current business.
I was able listen to and comment on the latest version of the new unit and it's new echo programs.
Charlie played and explained in detail the differences to previous EFTP units and others for almost 2 hours and whilst I cannot go in to fine detail I can honestly say that this new unit will as the saying goes will....blow you away.
Everything sounded spot on even despite the fact that some programs have yet to be finally "EQ'ed" and Charlie used a Fender amp for the demo. From Apache which to me has always been the most difficult to emulate through all the other hits you can imagine. Blue Star , Sleepwalk and Cosy were for me were outstanding.
Obviously there will be a full range of Shadows echoes but also others you will hopefully find useful.
I understand that each echo will be set at it's optimum setting as default but there is plenty of variation and adjustment available to tailor to your own taste, so I personally would think that no matter what amp you have you will be able to achieve a great sound.
There are a few more echoes yet to be written so don't bank on getting your hands on this unit just yet but I understand that meetings have taken place with Charlie's manufacturer who is keen to put the units into production a.s.a.p as the most important matters including board layout and case design have been finalised.
If you are in the market for a splendid Christmas present then I suggest you write to Santa soon as I think there will be a big demand.
It's been a long time coming but well worth the wait, well done Charlie & John.
PA

[stephen]

Oh, Wow! Yet another (yawn) echo unit. Can't wait...............although actually, I think I probably can.

Stephen.

[dave robinson]

Thanks for the update Pete. Basically what you're saying is it still isn't ready.

[Didier]

it still isn't ready.

No availability announcement from Charlie Hall yet...

Didier

[GuitarPhil]

It's been a long time 'brewing' and still not ready to 'pour' apparently

If "the most important matters including board layout and case design have been finalised" then, reading between the lines, the presets will be 'set in stone' or should that be 'set in silicon' and not capable of being easily changed, otherwise, wouldn't it be a better idea to get the hardware out there on sale now and provide updates to the presets as and when they are developed?

[Abbeyroadie]

Gents thanks for your replies....

Yes it's been along time coming but then so was anything else of worth in this field from something like the late 60's until the 90's until the man himself adopted Charlie's EFTP system !!

Stephen, Actually I think you will have to wait for a long while in any event unless you are already on the list but from your enthusiastic comments I imagine that's not the case.

Dave & Didier, As explained my comments are unofficial and I'm not in position and I don't think Charlie is either to make accurate forecasts as to when the unit will be available. I do know however that Charlie & John and the manufacturer do want the unit out there before Xmas.

Guitar Phil, Reading between the lines might not be such a good idea as if you do all you get are assumptions and in this case the wrong ones.
As I said there is plenty of variation and adjustment available - with KNOBS on .(Real ones)

The post I made was my opinion to which I and every other member are entitled to, ever hear the phrase don't shoot the messenger ??
PA

[kipper]

one things for sure charlie wont let it go till he is ready and he has programs set properly. not lets just get it out there and quick fix as we go. when this does arrive it will be right. charlie will release it when he`s ready and happy that programs are as good as they possibly can be. you cant knock some one for trying to get it right first time. we all know charlie is as honest as the day is long and will do whats right. not many like that about in these days of thats good enogh lets make a quick buck. peter

[Geffers]

Peter

Don't get too despondent on your post,I can well imagine these things take a while to develop and test before the first production can commence like any new product.
It would be good to hear a sample a few tunes when possible. Also have you a ballpark figure on what the selling cost might be.
I am sure if it goes some way to achieve that 'halo' sound that many have heard from Phil or Justin's machines there would be a big que.

Cheers

[kipper]

i have read on charlies site appox £600. and there are samples on his webb site. peter

[Abbeyroadie]

Geffers,
Despondent no not a bit thanks anyway, I guess I'm just trying to do the right thing as Charlie has no ties with this site.
The approx. price and other details of interest are on Charlie's site - Charlie Hall & friends and it would appear interest is booming.
I believe the samples metioned are the old ones something like 3 yrs old now, things have improved a lot since then and I understand that new ones will be posted in due course.
Seems to me a pity that the man who first brought the best accurate Shadows echoes all together for us all in one box now appears to receive a luke warm reception over here irrespective of what gear is flavour of the month. No matter what you use now we all owe Charlie a huge amount of respect and thanks.
My only regret is that I'm no longer part of EFTP or his current business.
PA