*SERVICED* - Excellent Condition, Roland RE-201 Space Echo Tape Delay / Reverb 1970s - Black - With FS-1 Footswitch and Extras

For sale is a Roland RE-201 Space Echo which has been serviced and restored to a very high standard. These are widely regarded as the best tape echos ever made. The face plate chassis/chrome/knobs have cosmetic blemishes, scratching and pitting (please see photos). The overall condition of this unit is excellent however, this is clear to see. The unit has been professionally cleaned inside and out, including the front panel knobs, painstakingly, so you can twiddle and tweak away with an OCD piece of mind! You could go out of your way to replace faceplate, case and knobs for an 'as new' condition, but why would you? The imperfections and appearance suits the natural character of the sound. Having said this, the machine has new tape, felts, bearings installed so the sound and mechanical properties are close to factory. These tape echos sound incredible which is why they’re sought after, the plug-in versions do not come close to the experience of using a real one. Lots of production tricks you can do with these units! this one also comes with the original FS-1 Footswitch, pouch, cleaning kit/instructions, replacement AT-1 Rexer tape!

Please see the video listed for a demonstration of this unit.

Service list:

• Thorough cleaning internally/externally, and treatment of the Tolex Case housing.
• Metal Chassis cleaned and waxed.
• Metal Chrome cleaned and polished.
• Knobs cleaned of dirt and polished.
• Felts changed for parts to rival original spec. 
• Tape-feed bearing replaced with high quality bearing. 
• Pinch roller replaced for a high quality (better than original) spec.
• Tape heads re-lapped, polished, demagnetised and calibrated to ensure consistent repeats. The Re-lapping work was outsourced to a tape head specialist, ensuring a perfect surface for mechanical alignment. This has been worked into the listing price (along with the additional extras included)
• Inputs and Output sockets cleaned (no crackle).
• Left Spring tension adjusted.
• Pinch roller tension calibrated to service manual spec.
• Oil applied for lasting lubrication of moving parts where necessary.
• Tape head and frame aligned for the highest and best quality audio output.
• Internal trim pots calibrated to a suitable level according to factory specs, Reverb level, Repeat rate ect.
• The original 2 Pin Japanese power cable has been replaced with a 3 pin Japanese power cable (which means that a proper Earth connection to the chassis has been added for additional safety)
• Internal electronics checked over.
• New rubber side feet installed.
• New high quality RT-1L replacement tape installed.

This is a Japanese machine which runs on 100V AC power. A high quality 230V step down transformer (see pics) will be included in the sale (worth £50) so this machine can be used in the UK or Japan. Ideal for UK or/and Japan touring. As mentioned the device has been properly earthed to add additional safety in operation, conforming with modern electrical safety standards.

This should last years and years, as the mechanical properties which are prone to fail have been serviced immediately prior to selling. However, over time these machines will need some TLC and maintenance, i.e., cleaning the metal tape path with IPA, cleaning the pinch roller with rubber cleaner, swapping the felts/tape and aligning the pinch roller/left spring. Note all units have some motor noise when in operation.

The tape also makes a HUGE difference to the machine's functionality. Tape loops last around 300 hours before you should replace. If these parts are left unchanged for long periods of time then you will hear more audio dropouts and pitch fluctuations, but if it's the right formula, then you can leave these in much much longer. The splice point of the tape also has an effect on the sound, you may hear a slight pitch fluctuation sometimes at this point if it isn't perfect, this can be seen as an aesthetic of the machine. As a rule, don't but replacement tapes from Ebay, spend a little more and buy from reputable sellers.

Wow/flutter pitch characteristics however along with the beautiful overdriven distortion from the pre-amp is what makes these machines so highly regarded. If you want an echo unit with character then these are the units are perfect.

Even if you don't buy this, we would also advise, do not by an unserviced machine. You will be entering into a world of pain, and will eventually if not immediately have to pay to get it serviced. There are much cheaper units on here/Ebay, but you are taking a huge risk it hasn't been properly serviced by someone who knows what they're doing (also difficult to find a specialist repair person!). The RE-201 is solidly built, but there is lots to go wrong with these machines (+50 years old!) if all the parts are not looked at, it will cause you lots of frustration. Also make sure to check someone's definition of 'serviced'.

Everything we sell is thoroughly safety checked and tested before delivery, to ensure it’s ready for reliable use.

We have recently sold units to professional UK studios and big name artists/musicians, please see our feedback. 

Packing & Shipping:

All items are bubble wrapped, and packed into a double wall cardboard box. Free delivery, UK sales only, sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery tracked.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Thank you for looking,

Tape Echo Maintenance UK