Binson B2 Echo

Up to twelve repeats, very clean, but metalic sounding.

I could get a Hank marvin sound very easily. It was super clean. I used it with a 1962 Showman Amp, 1961 Burns Black Bison Guitar.

The playback heads would continously work loose there for the sound would distort slightly.

As it was a Baby Binson it was very portable. Easy to dial in the sound that you wanted.

The Binson Echorec B-2 is a tube echo unit from the 60?s with a metal disc instead of a tape to produce the echo. The main advantages of this design in comparison to the tape echo delays are the consistent echo sound (no flutter), less maintenance (no need to replace tapes) and less noise (hiss). A disadvantage is that when you have maintenance it is serious. After many years of use the heads and even metal discs sometimes need replacement/rewiring. This is a lot more expensive than replacing a tape.

The B-2 model contains 4 control knobs. First knob is to switch-on the unit and to adjust the input (signal) level that will be sent to disc. Second knob is to adjust the amount of repeats. Third knob is to adjust the Echo volume. Fourth knob (12 positions) is to select the heads (echo time) or combinations of heads (multiple echo).
There is also a connection for a footswitch and an output for just the echo signal. Both connections are like jacks but thinner. I?ve never seen the type of jack that would fit. Inputs and outputs of the unit (3 in, 3 out) are also unique, only by Binson, the connectors that would fit are very hard to find!!!! There are 3 selection buttons on it to select the Input and corresponding Output (In1 and Out1, In2 and Out2, In3 and Out3).

When you find one in original condition, check the wiring immediately. The inner insulation of the signal wiring of these units is breaking apart nowadays. It is a construction failure of these units. Best is to replace the wiring on forehand, if you don?t you?re just waiting for short circuit and the unit will not function properly. The only way to do this is during complete reassembly and rewiring each signal-wire one by one. If you do it yourself, take your time and don?t screw up!!!! It?s a museum piece.

When the unit is in a good working condition it is very easy to use, the unit is BIG, the knobs are BIG and there is a limited amount of combinations, it?s easy, it?s like echo for dummies.

The echo sound it produces is a clear, warm and full tone and very consistent (no flutter). I?ve never heard it on any other echo unit. It also produces very dynamic sound, even hard attacks stay clean but come through louder so your amplifier will do the ?overdrive?. Increasing the input signal (first knob) will only result in a distorted echo signal; it does not affect the instrument volume.

Although there is a limited amount of echo combinations, they all sound good. There is one setting which produces a reverb-like sound that?s absolutely amazing. Also the echo volume is limited, as it won?t go much louder than the original signal.

I rated the sound 9 because of a little noise it produces. It is a lot less than the tape echo-units, but it is there. During a gig, no one will notice it.

By the way; I don't use other effects with it. Just a single coil guitar (Duojet '57 reissue) and a bassman 4x10 amplifier.

These units need a lot less maintenance than tape echo units but they do need it. Instead of replacing a tape these units will need lubrication of the metal disk every now and then. This is what I find tricky; it is very easy to put to much oil on the disk. If this happens, you will not hear an echo because the heads are filled with oil, or the rubber wheel to rotate the metal disk will slip. It happened to me a few times that during lubrication of the disc everything was fine at the time, and when I used it two days later there was no echo or a slipping disc. When the unit is in a good condition (rewired) and when you finally know how to lubricate it properly, it is very reliable.

Gone?


These people can help you:

www.binson.com

It is the sound that makes it suitable for any kind of music, but it has the presets used during the 50's and 60's. I found this unit in a second hand store in mint condition and the guy did not know what it was so he sold it to me for 40 Dutch Guilders ($20), it made me smile. The unit didn't work until I rewired it, it took me three days. If it was stolen I don't think I will buy it again as I find them to expensive second hand on ebay. I have an Electro Harmonics echo as well which sounds great and is suitable for the music I play. The Binson just gives the extra 'cream' on top of your tone. To me this 'cream' is not worth the amount of money people sell them for on ebay. But there are a lot of people who don't share this opinion. I also I don't miss it untill it's gone offcourse, so perhaps I will buy one at the time.

I give it an overall rating of 8 because of the limited echo combinations and because it needs overhaul every now and then. But it is definitely the best echo I've ever heard!