Ibanez EM-5 Echo Machine

[griff10672]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

 

[cobrahead1030]

I’m a sucker for any type of delay/echo, so it’s very likely I’d buy one.

 

[LPMojoGL]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

I have a handmade copy, with tap tempo, tone knob and modulation with different wave shapes. Sweet sounding pedal. Doesn't get much use tho. Noisy in the effects loop, not as feature rich as my other delays. Great pedal if you just want a good sounding delay.

 

[marvcus]

so I like to look for circuits to do that are pedals no longer produced .... and that have gained popularity enough to drive the prices way up ...

usually besides maybe some huge name having it on their pedalboard ... the rarity of the parts used helps push the price up ...

seems like the EM-5's are going for around 300 these days give or take ...

it utilizes a digital IC that uses a analog interface .... the vids I'm finding have me interested enough to maybe doing one ..

the chips aren't super rare .... and I can get NOS ones

anyone want to chime in on this pedal ?? If you used one .. have one ... it's the old soundtank series ...

current ad on Reverb for one

https://reverb.com/p/ibanez-soundta...xE2h-FV0lKmDIdEFRZ2398a4fD0cLn78aAuB_EALw_wcB

Holy what?? Those were like $25 new

 

[Shask]

I built a clone of one of these and I really like it. It is brighter than something like my DM-2 clone, but not as bright as a digital. It seems to not be as flat sounding as a PT2399 based delay. It seems to have just enough high cut to sit well. I think it is just a good sounding basic delay.

 

[skoora]

Wow! Some of the cheapest Ibanez pedals ever made and somehow it’s now precious and collectible? People who pay 3-400 for one of those are literally insane.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

I have an original Echo Machine. And before you ask, no I didn't pay $300 for it. I got one back when they were still cheap.

Side bar I have the entire potato bug series. A Powerlead was my first pedal. I got nostalgic a while back and collected the whole set. At the time they were all still dirt cheap. I got most for $10-$20. I think the most I paid for one was $40. Seeing some like the black noise, slam punk, or modern fusion being listed for hundreds of dollars makes my head spin.

Back to the main subject... The echo Machine is a really nice echo pedal, probably the best delay/echo Ibanez ever made. I think it got it's reputation because it's more natural sounding than other delay pedals. I'm not a big FX person so I don't use mine much. That plus the plastic shell and not true bypass. If I had a sturdier, true bypass version of it I'd probably keep it in arms reach.

I think it would be worthwhile to make a clone of the Echo Machine.