Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal Review (July 2024)cc

Description

In this review post, we’re going to be discussing the Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal, Black, including an overview of its unique features.

Product Description

The Echoplex EP-3 tape echo unit is famous for its deliciously warm, organic modulation and sweet musical voice—a key component to some of the most iconic guitar tones from the ’70s onward. The original EP-3 units, however, are expensive, temperamental, and larger than a VCR.

That’s where the EP103 Echoplex Delay comes in. It’s the size of Phase 90, and it delivers the EP-3’s legendary tones with a simple control interface and a hi-fi all-analog dry path. The Delay control sets the time between repeats—from 65ms to 750ms—the Sustain control sets the number of repeats, and the Volume control sets the output level of your repeats.

Where the sound of this pedal really shines, though, is in Age mode. By default, your pedal performs as a perfectly-calibrated, factory-fresh tape echo machine would— bright and clear tape with subtle wow and flutter modulation. A quick push of the Volume knob lets you “age” the sound of your repeats, darkening the tone, upping the tape saturation (distortion), and increasing modulation and tape distress as you turn the knob clockwise.

The EP103’s delay signal gets the same tonal conditioning that the EP101 Echoplex Preamp provides, while the dry path is left untouched. For the full EP-3 experience, put that secret sauce on your dry signal by running the EP101 in front of the EP103.

The Echoplex Delay also features tap tempo functionality, for up to 4 seconds of delay time, when you hook up an M199 MXR Tap Tempo Switch. The dry path is all analog with Constant Headroom Technology™—providing a full 20 volts of headroom—and a choice of true relay or trails bypass. The EP103 can be set for 100% wet mode along with stereo input and output modes. No tape cartridges are required!

Product Features

• Status LED
• Digital delay
• Metal housing
• Incl. power supply
• Bypass footswitch
• Delay time: 40 – 750 ms
• 100% Analogue dry path
• 6.3 mm tap-tempo input
• Power consumption: 240 mA
• Internal mono stereo switch
• Controls for sustain, volume, and delay
• True bypass and optional trails bypass
• 6.3 mm stereo jack input/ output 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid build quality
• Affordable
• Exceptionally trusted
• Favorable customer review testimonials
• Worth the investment
• Great audio output
• Delay times of 40-750 milliseconds
• Plenty of sustain
• An almost ‘Chorus Like’ sound using some settings
• Mains adapter included

Cons

• Some players will be disappointed since they require a clear sound with minimal distortion on the effect
• Dunlop has incorporated a tap tempo option, however, it cannot be used without the switch
• There is no onboard preamp

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal Demo

Our Verdict

If you’re looking for esoteric delay types, this isn’t the one for you, but with delay times ranging from doubling to 750ms (increased to a whopping four seconds with Dunlop’s sold-separately Tap Tempo footswitch), plus character and blending from the Age parameter, there’s plenty of room for all flavors of vintage repeats.

If you must have tape, you could scour eBay for a classic Echoplex or go with Fulltone’s modern take, but Dunlop’s product provides a delayed feel close to an original without all of the maintenance difficulties – and it will fit on your pedalboard.

Where to Buy

The best place to buy this product has to be Amazon, due to their competitive pricing and fantastic customer service.

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal, Black

$199.99

BUY NOW

Amazon.com

as of July 12, 2024 5:33 pm

Pricing History

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal, Black

Dunlop EP103 Echoplex Delay Guitar Effects Pedal, Black

$199.99

as of July 12, 2024 5:33 pm

BUY NOW

Amazon.com

Last updated on July 12, 2024 5:33 pm

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