| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Old Fender Echo Chamber need photo. Solid state Ecco-Fonics
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Old Fender Echo Chamber need photo. Solid state Ecco-Fonics
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2008 6:15 pm    
Reply with quote

I am restoring one and have the circuit board done (new caps and a few transistors). I need a picture of the tape loop and heads. I am sure I am missing something there!

I have a bad erase/record head. The erase coil show open. Trying to find a head now (old Nortronics part).

I have a schematic and am ordering an owner's manual from Fender tomorrow.

The echo is an early 60's model from what I can tell.

Any help or advice appreciated!!



Last edited by Ken Fox on 29 Dec 2008 5:39 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message
Papa Joe Pollick


From:
Swanton, Ohio
Post  Posted 28 Dec 2008 9:30 pm    
Reply with quote

I bought one in the early 60s and when it developed a problem I contacted Fender and they said they didn't make it and couldn't help me..It was made by another outfit in LA.I tried to contact the maker and they were out of buisness..No one seemed to know anything about it.Ended up trashing it..But it sure was nice when it was working.....PJ...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 5:41 am    
Reply with quote

The were made by Ecco-Fonics. Mine looks like a cover is missing. Not sure if they used a short tape loop or a tape cartridge of some sort.

I just send fender $5.00 for the manual, a copy from their archives.
View user's profile Send private message
Larry Robinson

 

From:
Peachtree City, Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 8:59 am    
Reply with quote

I had one of those back when they first came out. They used an "endless" tape cartridge. It really sounded great when it was working.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Papa Joe Pollick


From:
Swanton, Ohio
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 9:09 am    
Reply with quote

As I recall,it was a cartridge..PJ...
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 9:54 am    
Reply with quote

I had a hunch it was a cartridge. Hope someone has a picture. Maybe the manual will shed some light. Will have to retro-fit something in there for sure
View user's profile Send private message
Michael Brebes

 

From:
Northridge CA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 2:56 pm    
Reply with quote

A good picture but unfortunately not a whole lot of help for the tape path:
http://www.brettallenstudiorental.com/Effects/Fndr64Echo_50.jpg
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso

Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 3:16 pm    
Reply with quote

Much appreciated. Now I can see the cover and how it was attached. I could not see the cover as a separate piece in the only picture I could find on the net.

Unfortunately I did not get the cover!
View user's profile Send private message
Papa Joe Pollick


From:
Swanton, Ohio
Post  Posted 29 Dec 2008 7:06 pm    
Reply with quote

Ken,you probably allready know about this guy.Anyway if you don't he might be able to help..PJ...

http://www.orbitelectronix.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Bobby Rountree


From:
San Angelo, Texas, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2008 8:56 am     Echo Mach
Reply with quote

Hi Ken...Maybe this will help...I had one of these in the early 60's.....I was in radio at the time and used these machines....The heads were identical as I remember.

http://www.jimprice.com/prosound/carts.htm
Bobby
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ernest Cawby


From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 30 Dec 2008 7:58 pm     Hi
Reply with quote

Hal Kennedy of the dixie Echoes used one for years he live in Fl. may still have it.Cape Canaveral fl.

Ken I went back and reread I think Hal had an Eco Plex, or something like that.

ernie
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2008 7:57 am    
Reply with quote

I order the manual from fender (archived for many years now!!). I hope it will reveal a bit more info.

My erase head read open so I am am still in pursuit of a record/erase head (all in one, Ortronics)
View user's profile Send private message
Michael Brebes

 

From:
Northridge CA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2008 8:35 am    
Reply with quote

You might want to contact JRF Magnetics for a replacement head. They are in New Jersey.
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso

Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2008 9:49 am    
Reply with quote

Thanks, I have John French looking for a head in his inventory now!

With a little luck.....
View user's profile Send private message
Robert Burton


From:
Des Moines,Iowa,
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2010 9:43 am     Fender Echo
Reply with quote

I had two of those back in the 60's one had a cassett and the other an endless loop. Sounded great when it worked. But I spent more time untangling tape and splicing tape than using it good luck on your project.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ulric Utsi-Ã…hlin

 

From:
Sweden
Post  Posted 9 Jun 2010 11:18 pm    
Reply with quote

I sold the remainder of my Tape-Echo inventory a
couple of years back,and I still remember the hours
of maintenance required to keep them rolling...still
though...when I spot something like this I get that
old time Tape Echo feeling again...better not look...
McUtsi
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 30 Jul 2015 2:28 pm    
Reply with quote

Still have the old echo. Never finished it. Got the board all rebuilt and a new record head. Never could find a tape cartridge for it.

Any hope some of you may have one?
View user's profile Send private message
Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 30 Jul 2015 3:03 pm    
Reply with quote

Might you be able to re-engineer an 8-track cartridge? All you need is an endless 1/4 inch tape loop, right?
_________________
Best regards,
Mike
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ron Whitworth


From:
Yuma,Ariz.USA Yeah they say it's a DRY heat !!
Post  Posted 30 Jul 2015 3:59 pm    
Reply with quote

Hi Ken;
Here are some photos - I hope this helps you out-
Good luck on your project.
I know it is long but the link does work.
Click on the picture you want & it should enlarge it.
Ron

Link to Google search.
_________________
"Tone is in the hands. Unless your wife will let you buy a new amp. Then it's definitely in that amp."

We need to turn the TWANG up a little

It's not what you play through, it's what you play through it.

They say that tone is all in the fingers...I say it is all in your head Smile

Some of the best pieces of life are the little pieces all added up..Ron

the value of friendship. Old friends shine like diamonds, you can always call them and - most important - you can't buy them.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Craig Baker


From:
Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.
Post  Posted 30 Jul 2015 4:41 pm    
Reply with quote

Ken,
I have several broadcast carts around here. If you can get the tape to ride over the pinch roller it might just work. Let me know.

Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 30 Jul 2015 4:42 pm    
Reply with quote

For those who might have one of these here are some photos. Found that same site earlier today with photos. Very helpful

View user's profile Send private message
Ken Fox


From:
Nashville GA USA
Post  Posted 31 Jul 2015 1:38 pm    
Reply with quote

Some old photos I had from 2010! Glad I kept these:




My echo when I first got it!




Before and after cap replacements on main board:



View user's profile Send private message

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron