Advice on Choice of New Echo Machine

[Kiwi_John]

Hi to All,

I'm seeking advice on whether it's worth my upgrading to a newer (and hopefully better sounding) echo machine.

At present I have a USA made Strat which I've fitted with Texas Special PUs and a Vox AC15HW1 Amp. I'm presently using an old (Mk1) Magicstomp loaded with bonafide (not pirated) EFTP certified by Charlie Hall.

I'm sure that in it's day the Magicstomp was up there with the best ... but to my ears it's not even as good as my friend's Zoom G2 (also loaded with EFTP).

Is it worth my while trying to tweak the EFTP to get a more realistic Shadows sound .... or am I trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear so to speak?

I'm reading some pretty good comments on this site about the Zoom G3 loaded with Ross Hall's echoes. I wonder if anyone out there has got both the Magicstomp and the Zoom G3 and could give me some comparative advice.

Many thanks.

John

[AlanH]

Yes I have both with EFTP and.........I prefer the magic stomp sound. There is something not right, with the G3, which I cannot explain. Maybe too clinical, anyway, I actually prefer the G3 with the home made echo patches I had before. I use the M/stomp all of the time, at the moment. I also have an eTap2HW which is really good.....but there are no patches, and you have to make adjustments for every number. But that little problem will be rectified very soon I think. I suggest you save your money, be patient, and wait a little while.

Cheers,
Alan H

[Allclaphands]

With out revealing to much at the moment there are I believe plans to to bring out a amazing
new Etap2hw with programmed and programmable patches being available in the near future
which I think is worth waiting for.As soon as things are finalised a announcement will be made.

Pete

[dave robinson]

Hi John, check your messages.

[SJB]

Hi All,

I have a Zoom G3x. I have programmed it myself - and at this time not that happy. I think I made a mistake.
I know you can purchase setups from Ross - but as yet I have not found an example of how these sound.

The G3x is a good all round unit - but as far as I can see has no multi-tap features that can be programmed for shadows numbers.

The lads I Jam with say the settings I have made up sound good (Fender Deluxe Series - G3x - Vox AC10) - but I am waiting for someone to point out the missing link and show me how to program - say "Atlantis".
But you can get the settings for Apache - almost perfect!!!

The multi-tap feature is really a set of repeating patterns - not programmable like the Zoom RFX2000. So these are not used at this time.

If the G3x allowed the multi-tap to be set up as the RFX2000 it would be excellent.

I get the feeling that Zoom have produced a unit which is excellent for almost everything - but ignored shadows stuff.

In comparison I am using the eTap2 (Engineer) plug in on my DAW. This is impressive.
I am also experimenting with a eTAp2hw. This is very good.
I think I will wait for the eTAP22hw with programmable patches - as Pete suggested.

SJB

[alanbakewell]

Hi John, I have a Vox AC15 HW1. An excellent amplifier, ideal for Shadows sounds. Or, for that
matter, any 60's type numbers.

For many years I used a Zoom RFX 2000 programmed with Charlie's EFTP echoes and was always
pleased with the results.

A few months ago I took the plunge, purchased a Zoom G3X. At the same time I purchased Ross Hall's
patches. The results are, in my opinion absolutely first class. I should add that anyone who has heard
the results has been very positive with their comments, and, eager to play through my kit.

Stuart, let me assure you that the multi tap facility on the G3X works just fine. I.E. Atlantis comes out
bang on. ( In my opinion ). Likewise Wonderful Land and any other tune requiring a multi tap setting.

I've said before that, there are a couple of reasons for purchasing Ross Halls echoes. Firstly for £80.00
I have all the settings I need. ( And many more besides ).

Secondly, why mess about with the thing yourself when it's all done for you and is a piece of cake to download
onto the machine?

There are many excellent echo units about at this moment. I'm very happy with the kit I have and see no
reason at this time for any additional bits.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, Alan.

[petercreasey]

Hi All,

I have a Zoom G3x. I have programmed it myself - and at this time not that happy. I think I made a mistake.
I know you can purchase setups from Ross - but as yet I have not found an example of how these sound.

The G3x is a good all round unit - but as far as I can see has no multi-tap features that can be programmed for shadows numbers.

The lads I Jam with say the settings I have made up sound good (Fender Deluxe Series - G3x - Vox AC10) - but I am waiting for someone to point out the missing link and show me how to program - say "Atlantis".
But you can get the settings for Apache - almost perfect!!!

The multi-tap feature is really a set of repeating patterns - not programmable like the Zoom RFX2000. So these are not used at this time.

If the G3x allowed the multi-tap to be set up as the RFX2000 it would be excellent.

I get the feeling that Zoom have produced a unit which is excellent for almost everything - but ignored shadows stuff.

In comparison I am using the eTap2 (Engineer) plug in on my DAW. This is impressive.
I am also experimenting with a eTAp2hw. This is very good.
I think I will wait for the eTAP22hw with programmable patches - as Pete suggested.

SJB

Hi Stuart,
Using the multipap in the G3 will not give you the head spacings that you are looking for, the way it is done is to use one of the other delays eg tape delay and select one in the first position for the first head, one in the second position for the second head and so on, the timings you need are for wonderful land first head 101 ms second head 199ms third head 278ms and fourth head 353 ms, no feedback is required on the first three heads but is on the fourth head the more feedback you put one the fourth head the more echo effect you will get. This pattern, with more or less feedback can be used for many Shadows tunes.
The Apache pattern can be achieved by using 3 heads, 124 ms on head one, 426ms on head two and 599ms on head three add feedback to head one, again this pattern with more or less feedback can be used for Frightened City, The Stranger etc
I hope this helps
Spending time tweeking can give some effective results
Take care

[sixstringsid]

I'm seeking advice on whether it's worth my upgrading to a newer (and hopefully better sounding) echo machine.

I've got lots of echo machines here, including eftp etc. I feel like that by listing them all I would be putting them down which I don't want to do, the tvs3 is the best for my ears.

[Hank2k]

+1 for the G3 its a fantastic piece of kit i used one for ages and was very happy with it, i can also recommend the G1XON they are only £50 new only downside if you have to manually load any settings etc

[SJB]

Peter Hi,

Thanks for the response. Basically I have tried with some success in getting reasonable sounds using the methods you suggested.
So thankfully you have confirmed I am not missing anything just the time to work it all out. So I can be assured that I can stop looking for the missing link as it were and get on with it.

FYI - you may already know about this site:-

http://guitarpatches.com/search.php?unit=G3

Interestingly MatevzB (I think that's his name) has programmed some patches using in reverse order i.e. Head 4 with FB first then 3 2 1 etc. He is using the MOD DELAY for Wonderful Land .I can't work out why he includes the Flanger - with the settings almost off. I did think this reverse order was the eureka moment - but the jury is out on this - but the sound is very good and I am using some of these patches.

Much Appreciated