El Capistan + Badgerplex Pre > EP3 Echoplex

[rupe]

Just got my Strymon El Capistan. Nothing to say about it that hasn't been said before...it's easily the best tape delay simulation that I've ever heard and comes in a relatively small package no less. It really does a good job of nailing the Echoplex/Space Echo sound plus so much more. I'll be spending a lot of time just checking out all of the possibilities. What it doesn't do is add that extra "bigness" to your tone like an EP3 does. Enter the Badgerplex. It's an exact replica of an EP3's preamp section, right down to using NOS TIS58 transistors. Using these two pedals together really nails both the tone and feel of the EP3 while offering it up in a quieter, more reliable (making an assumption here based on feedback but it seems pretty obvious), smaller, more versatile package. I think this may be the ultimate solution for the gigging guitarist who wants that sound...and a pretty cool solution for anybody who doesn't want to deal with the finicky nature of an EP3.

That said, having EP3 around for recording and home use is still an awesomely cool thing

 

[Anonymous]

What'd I tell ya?

Steve

 

[rupe]

What'd I tell ya?

Steve

No doubt...that's twice now that you've steered me right (Axe-Fx a few years ago).
Thanks again for the hookup on the Badger...that thing is simply amazing. One of those "how did I get along without it?" pedals.

 

[axemeaquestion]

Rupert, can't your axe-fx due the job of that tape echo thingy? I thot it could do most everything.

 

[rupe]

Rupert, can't your axe-fx due the job of that tape echo thingy? I thot it could do most everything.

I traded it for an amp...I plan to get another though. I spent so much time tweaking amps and IRs that I never delved too deep into the effects. It very well may be able to cop that sound and feel but I never dialed it in. Anybody else?

 

[axemeaquestion]

Rupert, can't your axe-fx due the job of that tape echo thingy? I thot it could do most everything.

I traded it for an amp...I plan to get another though. I spent so much time tweaking amps and IRs that I never delved too deep into the effects. It very well may be able to cop that sound and feel but I never dialed it in. Anybody else?

Why would you have traded it for an amp when it can do everything?

Why would you get rid of something only to repurchase it again?

Answer those questions for your ole buddy AMAQ, won't you, Rupert?*

*and that one, too

 

[rupe]

Why I traded it:
1. Offer too good to turn down
2. Spent more time tweaking than playing
3. Missed the ability to make small tweaks on the fly during a gig
4. Found myself using one particular amp model for most of my dirty tones...wanted to try the real thing so I traded for that amp

I miss it for recording and plan to get another for that purpose.

 

[Digital Jams]

Congrats on the El Cap, I feel the same way as well about it.

Great unit.

 

[motogrinder]

Are you running the badgerplex before or after the el capistan?

 

[rupe]

Are you running the badgerplex before or after the el capistan?

Before. Tried it both ways, before sounds better (more clear) to me although the difference is small.