It's not quite a DIY echo box for dummies as you'll need first to make the printed circuit board, which isn't a task for beginners. So if you plan to make one and don't have enough experience in electronics building for that, better search fo the help of someone with enough experience.
The JCechoFDS isn't a general purpose echo unit, it's only intended to emulate the first two echo units used by Hank Marvin during the early years (Meazzi drum echo units). It does'n provide storage for multiple echoes settings, but neither did those Meazzi echo units. At this time Hank used only one setting for a whole concert, as I watched it myself when attending a Shadows' concert at the Paris Olympia in early 1961.
The JCechoFDS doesn't provide only the proper echo pattern and timing, it also features an EQ circuit for proper Meazzi tone, and a W&F emulation circuit, as W&F on the Meazzi echo units played a part in their sound.
Here are two demoes of the JCechoFDS :
Gonzales (echo pos. 2)
Wonderful Land (echo pos. 1)
Both recorded by "Paulo" using a Strat and a miked Vox Pathfinder amp with no other effect than the JCechoFDS.
For those interested in building the unit, send me a PM with your email adress, and I'll send you a zip file containing the building instructions (Word format), list of components (XLS format) and printed circuit board (LAY format).
The overall cost for components, inculding the 1U rack case (but not counting the PT2399 chips) is around €160 (£130).
The PT2399 chips can be found for less than £3 each.
Didier
