Re555

[DaveC]

Just spotted this on the well known auction site.

cgi.the well known auction site.co.uk/ws/the well known auction siteISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280664324179&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

The photo' is definitely the Re555 (rackmounted version of the Re501) but I'm not sure how this compares to the Re201.

DaveC.

[peterbower]

Dave

The RE-555 [rack mounted version of the RE-501] has different head spacings and more settings than the RE-201. It also has chorus and reverb.

Although all Roland models will give you a pretty decent echo.
However, it is the RE-301 [Hank once used] that will get you those late 70's and 80's echoes that Hank used.
The 301 on position 5 with slow tape speed gave that beautiful roll over echo that Hank said was his favorite.

Hank also used the Roland RE-3 digital echo on a few recordings, notably, Walking In The Air [Snowman].
Sorry to bang on about Rolands, but they are my favorite echo.

Any body with a Roland tape echo machine, please note, I make tape loops for them. If you need more info, PM me.

Peter

[26rednef]

Hi.

Yes, this machine head timing has not been found on any recording made by Hank, but it was used frequently on stage in late 70's and 80's. It is a very good machine as most of Roland's echo machines, but in my opinion they sounds a bit dull.

Kind Regards,
26rednef

[DaveC]

I own a very old and battered Re555. It's in full working order (with some spare loops) but I don't use it much 'cos I've never been able to work out what kind of settings Hank would have used.

I suspect that some of the repeats available on the Re301 and Re201 can't be achieved by the Re501/555. It does however have a lovely built in spring reverb.

If anybody is interested I know where there is a mint condition Re501 for sale.

DaveC

[26rednef]

Hi DaveC.

I would guess Hank would used close to max speed and switch position 5 or 6 so he get a delay close to 285, 430 mS or 120, 285, 430 mS or close to 50% speed and pos 5 delay close to 400, 600 mS (with no feedback or very little, will work for Apache and other early tunes). It is close to a Echomatic 1 with reduced heads. The feedback is very different, it is taken from all heads so it will sound different if much feedback, but the timing will be close to what was used on many early recordings.

Try it, I would.

Kind Regards,
26rednef

[solidlg]

Hi DaveC,

I have an SRE555 which has been sitting in its new transit case since it was serviced by the Roland Service manager in Toronto about 6 years ago, I guess its time I put it up for sale as I will never use it again, Charlies patches do such a good job.

Like all the space echo's it takes some fiddling to get the repeat you want, however there is no mistaking the sound it produces.

All the best
Steve

[DaveC]

Hi Steve,

Yes, I agree completely. I'm knocked out by the fidelity of Charlie's EFTP/MagicStomp combination. It sits in the effects loop of my Line6 Pod X3 Live --- or in series with my AC30/6TB --- and does everything I want.

I don't think anyone would buy my 555. Anyone want it for spares?

DaveC.

[keithinalps]

message for Davec, Hi Dave have sent you a pm

[peterbower]

Hi all

All the Roland tape echo machines fetch good money and are very collectible. Chris Bryant of 'Bryants' music Charring Cross London, specialises in second hand ones and the last time I saw a used RE-301 in his shop, it was £500, he sold it within a week and it was only in average condition. Mint ones go for £600+.
So don't sell for spares, sell as a working machine and buyer collects, you should get a good price.
the well known auction site is the best place to sell.

Peter

[DaveC]

Hi all,

Keith, I've sent a PM.

Peter, thanks for that. I'll watch and see what the Japanese seller gets and then think about advertising on the well known auction site.

DaveC

[malcolm]

Hi Everyone,

Just came across this topic, i myself own a Roland RE-501 which i bought brand new twenty odd years ago, up until then i was using units such as the Watkins copy cats, then the new transistorized "Melos" echo box that was brought out which was worse than useless!. I know it cost me £699!!! a huge sum then, i was using it both live and for home recording until the Zooms came out with Charlie's patches. It is still in mint condition, and although i don't think i will ever use it again i couldn't bear to part with it as it was my first "good" echo unit. The only problem was the guesswork involved changing settings especially playing live, which i witnessed Hank doing many times in concert when he was using his Roland's, now as we know the perfect echo is achieved simply by pressing one button!

Malcolm

[peterbower]

Malcolm

If you are not too worried about trying to get the Shads echoes spot on [if that's ever possible], the Roland tape echo machines do give you that lovely 'true' analogue tape echo that can be used for a large variety of music. Like you I could not bring myself to sell my RE-301 for nostalgic reasons, but above that its still a great echo machine for general guitar music.

Peter

[malcolm]

Hi Peter,

having read your reply i must admit it has sparked a bit of interest back into the Roland, i might hook it up into the system and maybe use it for a bit of background colouring! or just use it as a general echo when no specific effect is needed?

Malcolm

[peterbower]

Malcolm

Try position 5 on the selector knob and then slow the tape speed right down. Then adjust the swell so its just below feeding back and give that a go with a number other than Shadows. Tweak it yourself until you get the echo you want. Feed in a tad of reverb not too much to fill out the echo and go from there.

I have a small hobby business making tapes for Roland echo machines and have customers all over Europe and Scandinavia.
PM me if you need more info.

Cheers

Peter

[malcolm]

Thanks Peter will do...