Roland Space Echo

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 26 Dec 2001 9:12 pm

I've been beating myself up working on one of these. I'm thinking I've got a bad record head, it does not read open though. The record amp is up to par, bias is good, the bias trap is working, and the playback preamp and 3 heads appear to be working. Anyone got a source for any parts for one of these. Any suggestions appreciated.

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 27 Dec 2001 6:13 am

Ken.....

Eventho the record/playback head may NOT be open,(If my memory serves me right, a good head may read beween 17,000 and 28,000 ohms dc resistance.)it still may be worn down physically. I found this to be a big problem with consumer tape players and decks. Look at the head closely for a shallow dip in the head where the tape passes over it. What happens is: due to the curvature of the dip, the tape dosen't actually contact the head at the "gap" therefor resulting in a muddy or a very bassy sound. To test this theroy, just put a very small amount of pressure on the tape as it passes over the head. You should hear a marked improvement on the sound.

Now, as You say this is a echoplex kind of a deal, I suspect it may have a seperate record and play heads. either one of these heads may be the culprit. try the test on both heads.

Hope this helps....

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 27 Dec 2001 9:04 am

Jeez, Ken, with all the hassle of those units that a lot of us used a zillion years ago, why not just go with a digital delay? Lots less hassle and consistant sound. I tried an Echoplex back in the 70's but it just hissed too much. Really glad when analog and digital delays came out in the 80's.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 27 Dec 2001 1:11 pm

I agree, I would never use one myself. i am fixing it for a friend! I never have to clean heads and pinch rollers on my Ibanez Digital Delay!
I was hoping to run into to someone with some insight on this unit (parts and repair). Oh well, I just keep hoping!! Apprecite the input.[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 27 December 2001 at 01:57 PM.]

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 29 Dec 2001 9:54 am

I am submitting for the "Dunce of the Year Award"! After all that trouble-shooting with a scope, generator, and service manual I found someone had load the tape in there backwards. Just when I thought I knew something about anything.....

HOWaiian · Post by **HOWaiian** » 3 Jan 2002 9:01 pm

wouldn't trade mine for a DD-3, that's fo'sho'! Space Echoes're worth all the hassle.....![This message was edited by HOWaiian on 03 January 2002 at 09:02 PM.]

Paul Brainard · Post by **Paul Brainard** » 5 Jan 2002 8:32 am

I agree, there is no substitute. The only other thing I think comes close to the warmth of a Space Echo is a Deluxe Memory Man, which I generally gig with for reliability. In fact, at the risk (or perhaps in the hope) of inciting a rash of replies, I think the digital delay is the worst thing to ever happen to the steel guitar and IMO the way it is generally used ruins what is probably the perfectly beautiful tone of many fine players and guitars.

BTW, if anyone has a Space Echo that needs a new bearing in the motor, I have a stack of them and have done several. . .

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 6 Jan 2002 7:46 am

I have been using a Roland Space Echo since they were first introduced into the market. I tried analog, but cannot imagine why they ever stop producing them. Seems like all the good things are beyond recall. I Would like to find another Space Echo just in case mine I ever gives up.