The Binson Echorec is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Italian engineering, and one of the finest echo units ever produced. With the earliest Echorec’s being produced in 1953, the Binson Amplifier Hi-Fi company produced many models until the dawn of the 1980’s. The key to the Echorec’s success was their innovative, patented ‘memory disk’: a magnetic drum that stored the electronic signal to be played back a short time later to create an echo effect. Although similar in principle and operation to tape delays, Binson’s drum was much more durable than fragile magnetic tape. Instead of a variable delay time, an 11-position switch offered different combinations of the heads at fixed intervals for various delay and ‘reverb’ effects.
The Baby Echorec was first offered in 1960, as a more compact, simpler, and less expensive alternative to the larger and pricier ‘T5E’. Aimed at guitarists, the Baby Echorec soon fell into the favor of Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, and its distinctive echo sound is immortalized on their seminal ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ LP. David Gilmour, who inherited Syd’s rig when he joined the band, continued to use various models of the Echorec throughout the 1970’s.
This Echorec is an export model, sold by Guild in the United States for Binson. Although slightly different in its cosmetic appearance, it is identical in operation and sound to the Baby Echorec. This unit is in fantastic original condition, and still functioning perfectly. The black and gold plexiglass faceplate is very clean with only some light wear present. The knobs have been replaced with black Daka-ware knobs, which are an excellent looking substitute for the originals. The gray tolex carrying case has one broken latch, and some wear and tear, but it is in good shape otherwise.