Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Hey guys, I'm new to BYOC, so hopefully this isn't a really stupid suggestion... but I have always wondered about how to build your own multi head tape delay unit. I love those like the WEM Copicat, Roland Space Echo, or the Meazzi Echomatic... Tape delay is so beautiful, and there are so many old cassette players around for cheap that it makes me wonder if building a unit would really be that expensive... Yet, so many of the real tape delays out there aren't made anymore, have been replaced by an inferior (IMO) digital version like with the Space Echo, or are going for astronomical prices WHEN you can even find one the vintage route... I think that having the option to build your own would be absolutely magical... I searched the forums to see if anyone had ever suggested this, and found no results, so I'm wondering if maybe I'm missing something here? What's stopping this from happening? Too hard a build? Expensive components? Hard to find components? Let me know... Because I personally would LOVE to build one. I'd spend weeks if I had to. Please, can we make this happen? Anyone else on board or have other suggestions/comments?

Can't wait to hear back from you guys.

Cheers,
Braeden

Heres a project:
http://freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php ... tape+delay

Cost, complexity of build (mechanical components), calibration, the fact that the tape wears eventually, limited appeal (due to above factors)... I have a real Space Echo and it's cool, and you can find them or similar all day long on eBay and such for less than what it would cost to put out a kit. Doesn't seem like there's a shortage of these on the market for anyone that wants one. Ever wonder why the Fulltone tape echo costs so much?

Well I'd assume the Fulltone one costs so much because it is American made and for a smaller, enthusiastic market. Much like how vinyl album costs have risen... There are a few people who love it so much for it's old school qualities, they are willing to pay a premium to have it. That's why I'd assume this to be a worthwhile kit, because if you can eliminate the high labour cost by doing it yourself, and the cost introduced by it being somewhat of a specialty product... This pedal becomes much more within reach. I can't see the components being THAT costly... If I can get tape heads and such from $20 cassette decks, then what's stopping this from being affordable? Also, alot of those reasons you listed to say that this type of kit isn't desireable (degredation of tape, worbling sounds from components becoming faulty or not perfectly calibrated) are actually the characteristics that alot of tape delay lovers enjoy. And yes, an eBay Space Echo for $500 is an option... But building and painting your own design for less would be magical...

And thanks ckyvick for the link... It led me to someone who made a cool tape delay with a reel to reel, and extra head, and a mixer... Awesome.

Well the component price of traditional BYOC kits are certainly a lot lower than the final selling price, due to obviously the R&D costs to create a PCB and kit that can be successfully built with whatever modern components can be sourced today, determining what features are desirable, take into account the volume...how many people are going to pay $$$ for this kit? I'm also assuming that they would need a custom much larger enclosure, the mechanical bits would probably need to be assembled by BYOC... Not to mention administrative costs and making a manual...all those costs are factored in. From a manufacturing and reselling standpoint it just wouldn't seem practical or profitable.

It also seems to contradict BYOC's business model to produce a less expensive kit with substandard components, so them sourcing cassette deck assemblies would probably resolve in a kit that most of the potential market would not pay the still likely high cost for (due to noise and greatly reduced sound quality). A real Space Echo uses 1/4" tape, cassettes use 1/8" tape...big difference in sound quality. I don't think anyone would want to pay at least a few hundred dollars for an echo that sounds worse than a cheap PT2399 based unit. I'm also inclined to think that it would sound inferior to Boss's digital recreation, and cost more.


If one is thrifty and keeps their eyes open I have seen Space Echos in the $300 range...

Well doesn't any new pedal design need research on the design and work done for a new manual, etc.? And I'm not saying the components should be substandard... not at all! Why not use thicker tape. Why not find an old famous design no longer in production and go from there (like the Echomatic)? Isn't that the mission statement from this company, and the reason we see Tubescreamer and Rat clones? The whole point of BYOC, from interviews I've read, is to bring back life to beautiful old effects, and allow us to mod/restore them into our own new and beautiful creations? My only thoughts regarding cassette decks were that if an ENTIRE cassette deck can be found for $20... are parts such as tape heads really that expensive to prevent them from being included into a BYOC kit? I guess we can only know for sure once we actually have some numbers, because I am assuming that they must be on the realistic side, whereas you are assuming they will be very expensive. And as far as there not being any consumer demand or appeal for real tape delays, isn't that a bit of a strange argument coming from someone who owwwnnss a Space Echo hehe...

And I have to say you comparing a PT2399 to a delay that actually uses analogue tape is not really a fair comparision, is it?... 1/8" or 1/4", it doesn't matter; a delay that uses analogue tape is a different breed of delay than one that doesn't.

Thanks for talking with me so far though, this has been a good debate so far! Cheers.

The analog delay is great, and there is a small layout in the layout lounge that lets you add "tape style" warbly modulation to it
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=18477&hilit=beholdeth%21

I had a Univox tape delay (EC-100) that was really cool. Bought it non-working and it sat around my house for a couple years before I finally made a real attempt to repair it. Turned out to be a simple fix. Sounded great, but I needed cash so I sold it to a local musician that loves it. You can find them in mint shape on eBay for short money if you are patient.