Hughes & Kettner Replex

It is extremely easy to get a good sound out of the Replex once the drive and output controls are set to unity gain to match the amp that you are using it with. The reverb on this unit is easy to set (just one knob) and as long as it is not turned up too much can add a lot of depth and dimensionality to an amp without reverb.

For example try the Replex with an amp like a Mojave Coyote or a Dr. Z Ghia and you will like the Replex just because it can do reverb. Although not in the Fender league of reverb lushness the Replex reverb it is more than enough to make anyone except the most skeptical reverb freak turn his head.

Once the user moves on to the single head delay you get a glimpse of Echoplex heaven without the hassles. Saying that it does not sound exactly like an EP-3 Echoplex the sound is close enough that I believe even a diehard EP-3 user could live happily with the Replex as the sound is so close that it can be hard to tell the difference. The only thing that the Replex cannot do is duplicate the slider bar of an Echoplex moving the tape head across the tape for the sliding Tommy Bolin effect or sound on sound. So that is a trade off that H-K made but I do not think those sounds can be recreated without using an Echoplex.

The footswitches are momentary contact and there are no clicks or pops. The first switch from the left is the on/off bypass switch that the Replex defaults to when it is powered up from the supplied power supply. The second to the left footswitch is the reverb; the third switch from the left is the single head (Echoplex) and the fourth switch from the left is the dual head which is somewhat reminiscent of a Roland Space echo or if the settings are right a more extreme Echoplex setting. Extremely useful to say the least or if you can say rockabilly you can groove here at the maximum.

The manual for the Replex is fairly basic but it is only supplied for the novice who might be confused as to how to operate the pedal. Anyone who has played around with built in reverb units or outboard rack mount delays or the venerable Echoplex will instantly know what to do with it.

There are no software updates for the Replex as it is an organic tube and chip based hardware effect.

Typically the Replex has been used with only Fender guitars either one of several Stratocaster?s and an Esquire or a Telecaster. Blackface and silver face Deluxe reverbs have been used with the Replex. Other amps are the Dr.Z 18 Jr., the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia and the Mojave Coyote.

The Replex is not noisy and the power supply is very quiet. Restraint must be used with the settings to achieve the organic sounds of an Echoplex. Saying that I only like the Echoplex anyway on the 22 or the 16 setting on the slider bar with minimal repeats and just enough gain to make the echo effect noticeable. The Replex kops the sound of the Echoplex and it is an effect that can be put on the floor with other effects if a user needs or wants them.

The Replex blows away the thin sounding Line 6 Delay Modeler and its ugly sounding modeling effects that do not approach the real sound of the analogue tape units. Not only that the Replex?s power supply does not add a ton of noise to the signal going to the amplifier and it does not thin out the sound or sound rough and tinny like a Line 6. It should as it costs twice as much as the Line 6 at list price but used units are available and are a bargain if you can find one for sale.

The Replex can kop your favorite analogue echo sounds if you want them. If a user does not think too much this is the best echo box that has been built into a floor pedal. The key is just dial the Replex in and use the settings that that let you be what you want to be. No presets just knobs that stay where they are supposed to be and make big things sound bigger.

I believe that the Replex is dependable as the unit that I am currently using has been through two other players before I bought it. I also use a H-K Tube Factor and it has never failed in over a year of time. There is no evidence that can be reported as to MTBF but I have heard no horror stories about H-K failing in the field.

Used with caution and restraint any good effect unit with care will last for years if it is not abused.

Having never dealt with H-K directly I can offer no evidence other than to check out H-K products at your favorite dealer and ask questions before you buy. All of the H-K effects that I have tried either used or used worked 100%.

How could anyone replace this with anything else other than an Echoplex? Users with Fender (type) reverb units either built in or outboard can most likely live with out the reverb of the Replex. For others that like to experiment this is the best echo box available in a pedal.

For the truly foolhardy the other side of the coin is something called Line 6. If anyone can stand the power supply noise that these put out and the limited amount of usable delays that are believable. Try something else. Something called the Replex.

Cool is as cool does, that is what a Replex is what it can do.

The Hughes & Kettner Replex is a straight-forward unit that is not too difficult to figure out. There are 9 separate knobs for settings adjustments and 4 footswitches to switch among bypass, reverb, single head delay, and dual head delay. I use only the bypass and single and dual head delay switches; the reverb switch is superfluous as my amps provide adequate reverb channels. The 9 knobs consist of drive, output, reverb volume, volume, delay feedback, vintage factor, single head time, dual head time, and second head volume. Each knob has a range of operation from about 7 to 5 o'clock. For my amp setup and settings configuration I set drive at 12 o'clock, output 9, reverb volume 7 (or off, since reverb is not being used via the Replex), volume 1 o'clock, delay feedback 11, vintage factor 4, single head time 3, dual head time 3:30, and second head volume at 4 o'clock.

The two most important knobs that govern dual head delay are the delay feedback and dual head time knobs. Too much delay feedback throws the Replex into a whistling feedback loop. What setting works for you will be determined by your other pedals in your signal chain.

Single head delay is relatively simple to master; dual head delay incorporates some coordination with delay feedback, vintage factor, dual head time, and second head volume.

This being said, nowhere in the manual does it state recommended settings adjustments; the manual is about 5 small pages in English plus a couple other languages.

I play through Fender and PRS guitars, and Mesa amps. The drive knob on the Replex roughens the sound quality of the clean channel of the Mesa amps so that when my Ibanez TS9/808 modded Tube Screamer (placed after the Replex) is on, the TS9/808 enhances the Replex's characteristics, the Replex delay characteristics increased/louder/
more gain. When the Replex is used in conjunction with my TC Electronics Chorus/Flange (last in the signal chain) in either single or dual head mode, the stereo effect from the TC going through both amps is unbelieveably spacious and thick. Other effects in my signal chain include a Dunlop 95Q Crybaby, a MXR Phase 90, and a Boss CS-2 Compressor/Sustainer. The Replex sits just after the CS-2 and before the TS9/808. The stereo channels of the TC go into a dual channel graphic EQ, BBE sonic maximizer and HUSH super C noise reduction circuit, then into Mesa Rect-o-Verb w/ 4 12's and Nomad 100W head w/ 2 12's.

I can conjur up Van Halen-like delays as well as Eric Johnson with the click of a footswitch.

Each pedal supports the other, with good transparency especially from the Replex and TC Electronic. I have only one minor beef with my wah pedal, but we're still on speaking terms.

The Replex contains a Ruby 12AX7 tube that helps fatten up the "vintage" factor, but I wouldn't suggest throwing the Replex around. The chassis is well built, but the knobs are plastic, so if you dropped a stack on it, well, live and learn. If you're relatively careful with your equipment, I could say you could depend on the Replex and not require a backup on a gig. Tube replacement for the 12AX7 looks tough, would suggest a repair shop tackle that one.

Hughes & Kettner's website (English, please) email enabled me to ask about what type of tube was in the Replex, if upgrading the tube was recommended, and overall effect of said upgrade. Turns out audio difference in sound quality is indistinguishable in same tube designation; reduced gain and softer, rounder, more balanced tonal qualities would be accomplished by replacing the 12AX7 with a high quality expensive Mullard or Telefunken 12AT7. Hughes & Kettner thoughtfully pointed out that replacing the 12AX7 would not be cost-effective if I were to ever sell the unit; tube replacement is rarely ever figured in. H & K always answered my emails in one or two days, a welcome and refreshing business tactic.

I play jazz and blues with a leaning to 80's and 90's hard rock. The Replex replaced a Danelectro Dan-Echo. For the money, this is one sweet multi-purpose pedal, even if I don't use the reverb. My 25 years of playing have helped me search out an eclectic group of guitars, amps and effects, and I'm sure I haven't finished looking.
But for now the Replex Vintage Tape Echo Simulator does just that and well deserves a place among my other effects. I probably would replace this piece if it were lost or stolen, but then I'd have to replace my whole rig, 'cause I know some thief ain't gonna stop at just the Replex.

The Replex adds a ton of depth to my music; I can get stadium sized echo in a small basement room that I'd stack up against studio effects priced much higher.

If only Hughes and Kettner could only elaborate more in their manual...

The effect is fairly easy to use, but it takes some time to dial it in just right. Like anything good, it's worth the time.

One hassle is the foot switch activation. To shut off the delay you have to hit the off button, you can't just tap on and tap off the function you want with the same switch like other pedals. I also use a Line6 DL delay and with each company using a different system it's a pain, the H&K is the odd ball here.

The primary feature of this effect is the vintage tape delay/echo and it's just great. You can match any tape delay sound you want dead on. It's worth the expense and huge size just for that. The unit also has tons of output, the distortion feature in conjunction with the vintage knob helps add in flavor as needed.

The only bummer is that they wasted space with the dual head delay and reverb, when they could have put in a couple more patch buttons for the primary delay, which is the real money shot here. The reverb is just terrible and while I have tried to find a use for the dual head delay, to date, and after more then two years of ownership, I haven't. A tap tempo feature, some pre-sets and this would be the nuts!

Now with those complaints voiced, I still think it's worth the money if your playing calls for beautiful, deep, lush delay. This is the last word in pedal delays.

Two years of regular gig use and not a problem.

Haven't needed any help to date.

Just what the doctor ordered. Does Scotty Moore, Shadows, reggae, surf, space, whatever...
No way can an analog stompbox match this. Smooth, clean and live sounding delay.

THE BEST!

very easy to use, t'would be cool to have more control over the delay timing but no big deal

delays are very authentic - reverb is good, but short, not very controlable, could be better, especially for a tube reverb, this is definately not a reverb unit -definately tc 2290 sound bracket as far as the delay goes. It has two delays. A single and a dual head delay It was built for copying an echoplex. It even takes some of the treble out of your sound, like the old echoplexs, when the effect is on. whats cool also, is that you can control the output. I don't like however,on the output control when it adds too much gain and not volume, in some instances. true bypass, very pretty delays. the thing that sucks the most for me is that there is only ONE effect LEVEL KNOB used for BOTH delays. So, if one delay is really prominant, the other is going to be. They are NOT independent completely, only one effect can be used as well, at a time (ie no-reverb/delay - either/or ) If you can deal with that then this is THE delay pedal.

no problems, only owned it for three weeks, seems to be solid

I dable in all fields of guitar, I am more of a fusion,rock,funk, and blues guy. (satriani, EJ, hendrix, EDV, Landau, I love robert cray) I am heavily into finding good tone, going through 10 808's to find the most desirable sound, etc.., I play nothing but tom anderson guitars, they stand out on there own, check one out. I have a re-issue plexi with the two outside power tubes taken out to make it a 50watt amp. I have got a 68 slant Marshall cab loaded with 90watt mesa black-shadows. I use it just for the clean. everything else is a pedal. right now i use an old ibanez delay ddl20(also a japan sd-1, ts9-malaysian chip-orig, ross chorus, vox wah, tu-2, all George'L wired) If the replex did not have these minor issues, I would definetly have one. I might still get another, to mess around with some more.

The manual says that the reverb and echo work independantly. Well, thats not true. One inhibits the other; which is absurd! Independant means one should NOT interfere with the other (DUH). You should be able to have a slap back delay with slight reberb if you want it that way.
And the drive control on it messes up the dynamics of my drive pedal..so there's always a lot of fussing with drive vs volume knobs.

The sound of the tape delay is perfect. Exactly what I wanted. This out does my confusing Digitech 2112 by far. The reverb is "okay"...definitely better than whats on my Marshall.
The drive changes the tone of the guitar if turned up too far.

Hard to say. The single head time knob has to be past the 12 oclock position on mine in order for it to have a noticeable delay. I don't know if thats built that way or if its a flaw.
The unit is build well though. I have a Hughes Tube factor drive pedal as well and its solidly built too.

The dealer I bought it from is knowledgeable and helpful. No probs.

This unit works well for delay. Its less expensive than other units, yet not cheap. So I felt that the unit should have the ability to have all effects on at that same time if a player wants it that way. But thats okay...I can always stop in the middle of a song while doing a gig and say "sorry ladies and gentlemen, the reverb is going to shut off now while I turn on the delay for this lead guitar part. I apologize....its just that I can't have both effects on at the same time...because..it was too hard for Hughes & Kettner to figure out how to do it."
But seriously, the unit is worth having at a lower price...simply for the delay. I rate it above getting a Digitech effects unit or any other such expensive unit. Keep it simple.
I currently use it with a 50watt Marshall head and 4X12 cab. I play various strats and Les Paul reissues..1957 through 1960. Rock, blues, neoclassic shred.

Pretty easy to use. It took just a little experimenting with the dual head feature to figure out how it works.

I'm playing a couple different kinds of strats and tele's all modded out through a Marshall TLS112. This delay unit sounds incredible. I use it with the vintage factor almost all the way up because I love the way a tape delay sounds. This comes incredibly close to an old tape delay and is so much quieter. Instantly, the pedal fattened up my sound. It gave it a fuller, rounder sound with a noticeable volume boost. You do need to keep the unit on all the time and use the reverb function as the bypass. The delay lines are amazing. I grew up trying to figure the EVH stuff out so this delay instantly took me there. I couldn't resist and I wasn't disappointed. Just incredible. The reverb is good but there's not enough decay for me. Both single and dual head functions are a joy to play through.

Well, it's built like a tank. I won't have a backup.

I've never dealt with the company save sending them an e-mail. It was promptly answered.

I play all kinds of music except death metal. My favorite guitar players are EVH, EJohnson, Via, Satch,and Hendrix in no particular order. This pedal cops many of these sounds to a "T". It's a great delay for any style of music and I highly recommend it. It's a very musical effect and my only minor gripe is there is not enough control over the reverb decay. I waited a long time to get this pedal and it was well worth the wait. It is simply the BEST delay unit I've ever played through. I'll have to give it a 9 because of the verb, but the delays are both 10's

Easy to use. Manual don't add much in the way of "here's a hint for THIS or THAT tone...". For those who know, it's like the Octavia and its clones: gotta work the knobs till you get what you looking for.

Quiet. "vintage factor" fun to use, but even with the pedal in digital delay mode ("factor" at 0), this delay-in-a-pedal is QUIET. Studio quiet.

Frankenstein strat (Custom SHop 54's, WArmoth Boatneck-V neck with 6120 frets I believe, the small vintage wire, anyway) into Rapco A/B.
A: Boss Ce2-Ts 808-Chandler BK Butler tube driver-H&K Tube Rotosphere L-H&K replex- 1987x Marshal 50w (black)/str 4x12 Greenback 70's cab (fawn). B: Proctavia-Tube rotosphere R...etc. For clean sound, 68 Deluxe Reverb. Thomas organ Vox wah in there somewhere... Can you tell who my influences are yet?

I have a Space Echo RE-101. Replex covers this pretty handily.

built like a tank

no info

I play whatever the moment calls for except metal and country. If it were lost or stolen, I'd be very put out. I think in the world of delay, you get what you pay for. Have not A/B'd against Line 6 modeler, however, I understand customer support might be a problem there (go see reviews).

I've read a lot of the reviews before me and I can't understand how they can say this thing is hard to use. First of the gain is gain. Not to difficult mess with it until it sound good to you and then go to the next one. Volume. That's a hard one as well. Sorry I'm being a smart ass. Anyhow I thought it was easy to figure out. I didn't even use the manual. Dual head delay is the only thing that is a bit different than it seems and that only took a few minutes to figure out. Overall very simple to use.

I have many guitars but I use my Fender American Deluxe Fat Strat the most. I run a Boss BD-2..TS9 Turbo Reissue..Cry Baby Wah..Guyatone Chorus..Replex..Ampeg SuperJet Tube Amp. I read a review once that said that this pedal should not be considered for a source of tone. Sorry but I disagree. This is a beautiful sounding piece of equipment. Now that I have one I'll never settle for less. Running that TS9 through it sounds heavenly. On top of all the tone is the magnificent delay you'll get from this unit. Setting the dual head delay time and volume at 1:00 and the feedback at 11:00 is like stepping into a thick garden of guitar mania. Yes it's subtle but it's gorgeous!! Sorry but I love the thing. Anyhow no pedal makes us sound better than we are so it's a not a 10 but it's close:)

Hard, built solid and never had any problems with it.

N/A

I play all styles but I love blues. It's such a soulful, use every ounce of feeling in your bones type of music, that it just gets me. I love Dave matthews band, phish and SRV to name a few. Lately I've been getting into Larry Carlton and John Scofield. This pedal is so useful and I enjoy every second of playing time through it. If your only looking for a tape delay simulator you'll be very pleased when you plug in. I set the drive all the way up(almost) and the volume at about 2:00. If I need a cleaner signal I just roll the volume off a little on my strat and the warm strat tone is there. Overall, I'd say the price could be a little less but H&K carries quite a name and whose to say what they should charge. Plus an Echoplex cost quite a bit these days. Anyway it's a great unit. I'll always have one.

You can easily learn quickly how to figure the Re-plex out.

I use a Tube works unit (Made also by HK), a Budda Wah, Boss TU-2 and I have no noise at all. I play Gibson Les Paul Standards, and I plug them into a Rivera Knucklehead 55 watt head. I throw the replex into the effects loop. QUIET like I like my signal! te Dual head effect is really somthing! Especially when I am picking strings in a clean channel. I also like dual head in the dirty channel but the single head delay really shines in the dirty channel. The reverb is warm and I am glad to have it.

My favourite guitarist is Gary Moore, I am often compared to him by my sound and choice of music. I play blues and rock and I mix them together quite often. I love that continuum of "Parisienne Walkways" styled songs by Gary. The replex helps with an undercurrent for the notes being played.
This unit has a clean bypass, if you are serious about gigging, you need good sounding amps and bypasses in your pedals.

You can depend on it! Stainless Steel and plastic!

www.messinwithtexas.com

I think this unit is one of the easiest to use pieces of equipment out there! You have nine (9) knobs, and four (4) switches to control everything. The controls are as follows: Drive, Output, Reverb volume, Volume, Delay Feedback, Vintage Factor, Single Head Time, Dual Head Time, Second Head Volume---the switches: Bypass, Reverb, Single Head Delay, Dual Head Delay. The only trick part in getting the Replex up and running, is to set the Drive level properly---so the bypass matches the delay level. The manual could have been better, but really isn't needed.

This is where the Replex shines---it's delay lines are so thick they are completely sick! I am running the the following effects in this order: Les Paul with Tom Anderson pickups---Hughes and Kettner TubeFactor---Justin Everman Fuzz Drive---Zvexx Fuzz Factory---Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe---ADA Flange---Replex---Bogner Ecstasy Combo (T.C. Fireworx in loop). The Replex excels at this one point---Tape Delay Simulation. The delays are rich, thick, organic, and really outdo any digital delay I have ever heard. It sounds extremely close to my guitarist's Maestro EP-3 Echoplex. I did replace the Ruby 12AX7 with a Telefunken ECC81. This tube cleans up the delay, and adds a nice warmth and roundness to the signal. One of my favorite features is the dual head function---it can get away from you with the feedback above 12 o'clock (Radiohead madness). Another cool feature is the vintage factor. This knob adds tape machine nuances to your delay line. This control in the conjunction with the drive control really set the Replex above any other delay unit I've played other than an Echoplex. The unit really excels at dripping wet delay with random fluctuations that sound so soulful and almost magic in quality---that you'll forget it is a stompbox. The unit is as quiet as any digital delay I've ever played. The bypass is super, and you can also crank the drive, turn the reverb volume down, and add a second boost to your signal---really fat and chunky!

I haven't had any problems so far, and as I don't have backups for any of my pedals, I would trust it at a show.

I have dealt with Hughes & Kettner a number of times, and they have always been helpful and courteous.

I play a Romantic/Britpop form of music, where I am the Singer/Songwriter/Rhythm guitarist. The Replex allows me to keep up with my guitarist's Echoplex, and add real texture to our music. The Replex can be subtle, or totally out of control. Before buying the Replex I tried: EH memory man, Akai Headrush (really cool pedal), Maxon analog delay, a slew of digital delays, and finally another
Echoplex. I choose the Replex because of its features, its price, and the fact that everything else I have ever owned or played from H&K has been phenomenal! The only thing I would have loved the Replex to have would be a tap-tempo function and stereo outputs. I love my Replex, won't let anyone borrow it, and would definitely buy another if anything ever happened to it.