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Manufacturer's Description from Other
What is the EP-PRE
The EP-PRE is a JFET preamplifier that is based on the preamp section of the Echoplex® EP-3® tape echo unit. It will deliver a few db of boost, but I don’t consider it as a boost.
Words such as Enhance, Fatten and Enrich all cover the effect that the EP-PRE has on your tone, but I have yet to find a word that really captures the magic of this amazing little circuit. A friend who has one of the prototypes calls it a “Tone Polisher”.
My own feeling is that it creates a “focus” in my tone and helps me to play with more confidence.
EP-PRE Background
I built my first EP-PRE prototype while recovering from heart surgery in 2007, in response to a thread on The Gear Page. A couple of forum members suggested that the preamp section of the Echoplex® EP-3® should be built into a pedal. I took a look at the schematic, and couldn’t really see, at a glance, how such a simple circuit could affect tone, however I was curious and built my version of the preamp. To my surprise, it fattened my tone and sounded great. At this point, I began to seriously analyze the behavior of the circuit, and found that, apart from a small amount of top and bottom cut, the circuit had an unusual phase response. I believe that this phase response is the secret of the magic tone.
I enjoyed using the prototype and didn’t really consider building the pedal for sale, because my other pedals are my own original designs. Before long, word got out and I began to receive enquiries from guitar players who wanted to buy this pedal. I designed a PCB, and the EP-PRE has been in production since 2008. Since then, we have improved the design to reduce electrical noise, and our EP pedals have been successfully tested to comply with European CE standard.
About Manufacturer
Here at Sound Pure we hand-select used and vintage pieces of gear for our inventory. Our used selection always reflects the high standards of quality and craftsmanship that we expect from all of our manufacturers. We are a small team of dedicated experts, located in Durham, NC. We buy, trade, and consign instruments that we truly believe in. Because of this, we have developed a reputation of quality and trust with our customers, located all over the world. Our best customers are the ones that truly understand our personal touch and commitment to everything we sell, and range from hobbyists and enthusiasts to some of the biggest names in the business. Our passion bridges the products we love with the real relationships we develop with our customer - whether they are a lifelong musician, or they are just getting started on their musical journey but care about value, quality, and being treated right.
We vigorously test everything we take in to ensure authenticity, functionality, and reliability. We are supported by one of the most well-respected luthiers in the Southeast, guaranteeing products that come in are thoroughly vetted, and that products that go out our in premium, performance- ready shape. We are so confident in our ability to provide the highest quality music equipment in the industry, we even invented our “Try Before You Buy” program where we can ship out a product before collecting actual payment.
Sound Pure's inventory is constantly changing, ever-evolving, with some items sold before reaching the website. Looking for something specific? Have questions about this product's condition or history? Want more photos, or to simply chat with an expert who's had his hands on this actual piece of gear? It is truly our pleasure to talk with our customers, please do contact us now.
Specifications
Volume Control
The Volume control is the equivalent of Echo Volume in the tape echo unit, wired in reverse, because there is no echo in the EP-PRE. Because I insisted on keeping the circuit interaction the same as in the original tape echo unit, the Volume control works for only about half of its travel. I considered replacing it with a lower value pot and a fixed resistor, but found that, as you wind it further round, while it doesn’t change the volume, it makes a subtle difference to the tone.
Stomp Switch
We have these switches custom made to our specification, which includes gold contacts for maximum reliability when switching very low current in pedals.
PCB
For best compatibility with either Lead-Tin or Lead-Free solder, the PCB has gold plated pads. The use of SMDs for most of the components keeps the PCB small, and there is a full ground plane on one side of the PCB, to minimise induced noise.
Power Supply
The EP-PRE pedal operates from a 9V to 12V DC, Centre Negative power supply that has become the standard for most pedals.
The original EP-3® preamp operates from a zener regulated supply of about 20 Volts DC. The characteristics of the power supply are significant to the operation to the circuit. It just doesn’t work properly on 9 Volts, so the EP-PRE has a Charge-Pump power supply that converts the 9 Volts to more than 17 Volts, and 12 Volts to just over 23V . A Charge-Pump came closer to recreating the dynamics of the power supply in the EP-3® than I could achieve with an external 18 Volt supply.
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