Fulltone Tube Tape Echo

You can get great sounds from this immediately. Then, sit back and read the excellent manual and learn even more about this fine piece of gear.

I have run this with everything from a H&K 20 Tube combo to a 1973 Marshall full stack. Guitars are Stratocaster, Les Paul, Flying V's, EVH Music Man, etc. As long as you know your amps and how to match the TTE with the given amp this tone machine will do it right. And, that's exactly what the TTE is, a tone machine.

I saw another review that said the TTE was noisy. Mine is dead quiet and maybe the other person had all of the volume levels on the TTE maxed out and/or was having a bad day. This machine is even quiet on the Marshall stack once you get the settings musically correct.

This baby sounds great on everything I have plugged it into to...awesome stuff.

Very quiet and no problems as all...even came with an extra tape cartridge in the box. Not sure if they all to but mine had on in the nice carrying bag and I was the first person to play mine as the music store had it "on hold" but the guy who ordered it never came back with the money...I'm glad he didn't!

Yes, I don't see how a backup would be required unless you have misused it (not read the manual), etc.

I exchanged emails with Mike Fuller prior to buying this and although his responses were short and to the point, he is busy making top of the line effects for us to use. Other than that, no reason to contact them as this machine is just humming along so quiet I don't even know that it is on...

Classic rock, blues, etc...this machine nails all of the good stuff. This is the real deal...go try one. Playing 20+ years and own several other Fulltone pedals. Match the TTE with a TC Electronics chorus and a killer and and guitar and you have the classic Rush sound...as an example. I would buy it again after I beat the crap out of the MF who took it - yes. This tone machine makes everything sound good and the tubes in the TTE are like an additional preamp...its beautiful! Worth every penny and I don't evene think about the price now that I have used it.

Mine came with the felt tension arm unattached and able to roll about in the unit. It took a few minutes to set up the arm and feed the tape through the correct path as shown in the instructions. The TTE is reasonably easy to use. Adjusting it to get the right delay time takes a bit of time with this type of device.

I am using the TTE primarily with a Vox AC30 and a divided by 13 FTR37. Guitars are a strat and an LP. The unit has a considerable amount of mechanical noise, but a lot less hiss than the Plex which I also own. Given the glowing reviews so far on this device I think that mine may be sub standard. The repeats are noticeably pitch shifted. Worse than on my other tape echo. Long and loud delays produce a warbly seasick sound. Nevertheless, for short slap back delays and a low echo volume it sounds extremely good. It maintains more high end clarity than my other tape echo. I have tried to improve the pitch shifting by adjusting the felt tension arm but without success.

I am surprised that the felt tension arm came unattached and furthermore that there is no way to securely attach it unlike on my other tape echo. Its just held there by tension and could easily fall off in transit. Everything else about this unit seems to be excellently designed and built.

Since I find this unit pretty much unusable for loud and long delays I cannot give it as high marks as I would like. Presumably I've just been unlucky having a pitch shifting issue with the delays. In spite of this problem it still has a great sound as long as the delay volume is kept low.

I have used all of the knobs and still have yet to read the manual. I would consider this easy to use.

I am running the tte into a divided by 13 JRT 9/15. I use it with and without a pedalboard full of effects. The TTE is nothing short of amazing. I wish I had this years ago. Much better than screwing around with all of the vintage crap I have owned. If you like old school tone, big, warm, fat, thick then you will love the TTE. I find it inspiring. Words cannot describe the quality. Go buy one and stop whining about the price.

I am sure that it is a quality product. Nice bag too.

If by customer support you mean taking the time to develop and build a unique vintage/modern analog echo device even when every other manufacturer is designing modelers, then there is no contest. Mike gives the people what they need to sound their best. A+

I would buy another in a heartbeat. I would tell my friends to stop pissing away hundreds of dollars on analog delays. How much for an Aquapuss? If the aqua is a 10 this is a 100.

Its very easy to get the sounds out of this unit. Basically just a plug and play with some tweaking of the nobs. Easy to get the sounds you want. The manual is simple and easy to use. Even has a section on care of the tape rollers etc.

I use this through an Vox AC30 and a '66 Bassman head and cabinet. THe guitars I use are a Vox Starstream 12 string and a Gibson ES-35. THe sounds are great and very warm. Easily one of the most beautiful echoes I have heard. THough I have never used any tape echoe machines. Only have experience with anolog delays. My one complaint is that the machine itself is noisy. The signal itself is dead quiet but the tape path is what makes the noise. Its not heard when jamming with friends but if I play quietly it annoys me. I prefer my MoogerFooger 104 Analog delay for these situations like playing in the bedroom at night.

It is built very solid. Unfortunately I even dropped it and it still plays the same. Quite a beatiful piece too. Proud to have it sitting on my amp.

N/A-- No complaints or reasons to contact yet, but I have always heard they have good support.

I play spaced out blues/ sixties garage music so it fits right in. If it were stolen I don't know if I would replace it but I would try. THis is because of the steep price for a unit like this. This #14 in the production run so perhaps later models have tweaks and changes to make it even better.

This is a follow up, no sooner did I submit my review here and Mr Fuller personally assisted me. I should point out it is the Christmas Season so that's probably why it took a little longer to answer my original email.

If you look all but 1 person that delt with Fulltone rates them very high with customer service, myself included.

Take it from me, if you have a problem these guys are musicians first and are on are side, they care and they are goona get ya fixed.

Mr Fuller also took time to personally answer non-related questions, and was very informative.

The tape that came in my new unit looked like it was chewed to hell. I didn't even try it. When I put the 2nd tape in, no problem. The manual pretty much walks you through everything.

Complaint - practically impossible to wind up the tape cartridge yourself, the top and bottom is completely covered, so maybe I've just gotta learn how to use it better.

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Once I got it hooked up there is very solid switches. Lo-HI tape speed, Stereo 1,2,3, Bypass/Echo on, Big knobs for Guitar Volume,Echo Volume, and Echo repeats. Little knobs for record volume, and record tone. And of course you slide the playback head closer or farther away from the erase/record head to manually set delay time.

Really easy to use once I got the tape cartridge installed.

I'm givin this a low rating only because of the tape cartridge which probably was bad from the get go.

A 10 for ease of use regarding knob and switch layout. A 5 when you have to remove the cover and change the tape.

I have older guitars, amps, and effects. Some Fenders Marshalls Orange, Vox and some Boutique. The unit itself makes a lot of noise,
well...to explain the circut is quite, but the mechanical tape sliding around and the capstand rollers, or pinch rollers or whatever its called is pretty noisy. It sounds louder than an old
reel-to reel.

For me It sits on top of my Marshall so its not something thats heard once I start playing. Even recording at bedroom studio levels The mic didn't pick up any of that noise sitting again way atop my Marshall Stack.

It would pick up noise sitting on a combo amp.

No big deal hear, but definately not "DEAD QUITE" like they advertise.

I have honestly never heard a delay sound so good. This blew my mind, and when I hooked up two amps I was totally amazed. I think I played 6 hours when I first bought it, and it seemed like 5 minutes. Trully awsome sound quality an absolute MUST HAVE effect.

The tape cartridge and the inability to wind it makes me nervous. At $30 bucks a piece Its not like I can buy a huge box of em and dispose every other one or what ever.


I've had it a week or so and so far so good. Also there is a felt tape guide that you have to bend at a right angle to put "just the right" amount of tension every time you change the tape cartridge. (this felt arm comes with a new cartridge). Haven't had to do this, but man that's one hell of a bend. We'll see I guess. Maybe I forgot about working with Tape since CD's and DVD's spoiled me. I had to buy tape head cleaner, pinch roller cleaner, head demagnizers. It takes a lot of maintanance compared to my Deluxe Memory Man. NO complaint here that goes with the territory.

Other than maybe an expensive learning curve in dealing with tape cartridges, the unit itself seems well made. Since Mine cost me $30buck right off the bat this gets a low rating.

I wouldn't gig with it period, I use an Electro Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man for that, it isn't nearly as good of a sound, but I wouldn't care if I lost the Memory Man.

...Well I bought a supposedly "new" unit that came full of fingerprints and an obviously faulty cartridge. There was no registration materials, nor no DVD owners manual that is taked about
on the web site.

I have emailed FULLTONE a few times with no response yet...I have also emailed the Dealer with no response yet. I basically want to register the unit, and get a FREE replacement tape. Taking 10 days and several emails you'd think they would at least respond.

This sort of pisses me off, but I'll give em the benefit of the doubt. Not like Zvexx or other "boutique" pedal companies who've emailed me very quickly or at least the same 24hours.

I am gonna hold of slamming them with bad rating here until I do get in touch with them. I'll report back here.

I have also left some telephone messages too.

Right now they remind me of Steinberg's (cubase/nuendo) customer support, which is basically NONE.

I hope in the end I'll have a good experience like others who have posted here

Overall it sounds great, I can nail delay based music like U2's Joshua Tree, or Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall, with this unit. It is also really good for slap back or just general echo.
Like I said I've never heard a Delay that sounded this good. It's a
lot of $$$ and takes $$$ to keep it working, and takes a bit of effort too, but to me it's a Fantastic Value, because of what it delivers in the end.

Very easy to set up, and a good manual that covers all the basic operation. I guess a dvd tutorial with more in depth possibilities is on the way. I got an extra tape cartridge right away.

Well Ive had it for a few weeks now and just love this thing. I started out with one amp and in about one minute was getting amazing tone from this unit. I'm usually using a digital delay which I never had a real problem with. But after reading about all the pro's that were and still are using echoplex's, and how all the pro's were snatching the tte's up I figured I get one. I know why now. It is just a whole different tone. You get so used to your own sound after a while your tone perception really gets jaded. This really put a spotlight on how good this thing really is. Then I plugged into another amp and WOW!!! I have never heard such an amazing 3d, warm, analog sound. I dont think I can do this thing justice in this review. The stero feature is fucking awesome. I use it with Parker guitar into a Bad cat hot cat 30. When I tried it in stereo I plugged its other output into a cheap Johnson modeling amp and it just filled the room with the most 3d stereo Ive ever heard.

The build quality is A+ I dont expect any problems but if I do I will reevaluate it.

I talked with Fulltone directly and they were very helpfull.

It's the best time based effect you can buy. Ive played for 20 years and am so glad ther are still people willing to make this kind of gear. But after hearing one youll know why.

Easy to get a good sound. All of the various setting are nice, just a bit overwhelming by all those variations. Comes with a very clear to understand manual.

My setup includes a 59' RI les paul, 6120-60 gretsch or my 76'lawsuit Ibanez destroyer into a Prescription electronics fuzz, a Fulltone Fulldrive II into the TTE and split between a Reverend hellhound and a Carvin Belair. I haven't spend a lot of time tweaking with this setup and feel it will just keep getting better as I do. I love raw rock tones and big rockabilly tones. Not into metal, but love 70's punk rock. I may still purchase a 1987x 50w marshall for a heavier sound, a 100w would probably be overkill (any opinions?) but the TTE has been a great addition to my quest for tone.

It seems to be built like a brick s***house! Of course you are dealing with tape and tape heads that are perhaps not as roadworthy as a sealed stompbox, but it seems as reliable as a tube tape echo can be. I plan on using it at home, in the studio and in the clubs and I will not be purchasing a second one as a back up. I have too many guitars and amps still to purchase! Seems very dependable.

I had a brief chat with Mike Fuller during the purchase process and he volunteered some good advice about the unit and seemed in no hurry to get me off the phone. I've read other reviews of his products where people supposedly have had less than favorable contact with him but not I! Very friendly and helpful.

I play a variety of roots rock, everything from the 50's Sun records stuff, rockabilly, British invasion, punk rock to that Petty, Byrds, Wilco, Steve Earle, Old 97's, etc. type of stuff. I've been playing for over 36 years. I have a few guitars (teisco del ray et460, 2 danos, a taylor acoustic, a guild acoustic, g&L bass and the above mentioned guitars). I love the richness of the TTE, very natural and quiet. I would probably buy another if stolen or lost, but at $1000.00 a pop it might be a while. I can only compare the quality to a couple of echoplexes I played in the 70's and remember them not being as smooth and quiet. It really helps with the rockabilly sound and a lot of the rich clean folk rock stuff. I only give this a 9 because of the price. It's unfortunate that my life long love for the guitar is becoming such an expensive hobby. Actually, look at the Fulltones website because Mike Fuller has a serious gear addiction!! (all in fun Mike!) Actually he has an amazing array of guitars and amps.

Very easy to use... if you've ever used an Echoplex, you're in there. A bit complicated to get the right delay time, but hey you can't have tap tempo when you use tape... the tonal benefits of tape greatly outweigh the drawbacks. It's like recording to 2-inch tape... it just sounds better than digital.

It's a great sounding delay... again, tape is king. It might be "inferior" technologically speaking to digital, but tonally it will never be surpassed. I use it with a '65 Fender Twin and it sounds great... I don't like running it all the time because I feel that the tubes alter my sound a little too much... I will try experimenting with other tubes, but I will still probably end up switching it in and out when I get my switching system later on. Great delay... easy to get the sounds of Jimmy Page and other players that made the EP famous.

I've only had it for a short time. It seems to be built great and feel confident in my purchase.

This is where I disagree with some of the other posts. Maybe those people caught Mike Fuller on a bad day. In my experience, he exceeded expectations of customer support. I left a message on Friday, and he called me back at the very beginning of the next week, personally. He was very patient in explaining some different aspects of the TTE and genuinely seemed interested in making me happy. He was very enthusiastic about his product.

Again, great delay and much more reliable than an Echoplex. I would buy it again if I had to. A must for anyone that's into the tape delay sound.

its very simple, just dial your sound in.
The manual is simple and to the point.

Fender strat - Teese wah - TS9 silver mod(analog man)- Fulltone stereo chorus - TTE - Fender vibroverb - Bogner Shiva.
The best sound i ever experiend period.
i leeve the TTE allways during play on, i feel in tone heaven.
the best setup in my opinion is when you in stereo, spli before the TTE.
i split direct after the CF1. one go to the TTE in to Bogner Shive, the other to Fender Vibroverb.
in this setup you get a three dimensional sound.
for my taste i use the vintage setting of the TTE.

Can't tell.
Have the unit for two months or so.

Never contact them