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ClinchFX EP-PRE

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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.

 

EP-PRE Features

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.

Warranty & Returns

All New products are covered by the manufacturers new warranty. Please check their website for the length of warranty and warranty conditions. If an item you receive is faulty get in touch with us ASAP. Second Hand products come with a 4 week warranty from us. If there is an issue let us know ASAP! This covers normal use and does not cover accidental damage, misuse, wrong power plugged into it, modding, water damage or any other damage caused by mistreatment. Just treat it nice and all will be good!

Shipping

We send A LOT of packages every week so don't worry about the shipping side of things!

We've never lost a thing and your awesome new gear will be packed up really well to avoid any damage in transit.

If your order comes in before 2pm we will ship it same day. Most of the time we pack things up all the way to 4pm so just call if you need it to leave same day after 2pm.

We ship mainly with Australia Post but may use a courier depending on location and size of the package.

Free Post ships with Australia Post standard and expected shipping times are between 4-6 business days depending on location. It will be longer to outside of metro and rural areas.

Express Post will usually be with you next business day in metro areas of QLD, NSW, SA, VIC and TAS. WA will take 2 days to metro and extra days after that to out side metro and rural areas.

Everything we ship has a tracking number with the exception of some power cables and smaller envelope packages. You will be emailed tracking once your order has been shipped!

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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.

 

EP-PRE Features

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.

Warranty & Returns

All New products are covered by the manufacturers new warranty. Please check their website for the length of warranty and warranty conditions. If an item you receive is faulty get in touch with us ASAP. Second Hand products come with a 4 week warranty from us. If there is an issue let us know ASAP! This covers normal use and does not cover accidental damage, misuse, wrong power plugged into it, modding, water damage or any other damage caused by mistreatment. Just treat it nice and all will be good!

Shipping

We send A LOT of packages every week so don't worry about the shipping side of things!

We've never lost a thing and your awesome new gear will be packed up really well to avoid any damage in transit.

If your order comes in before 2pm we will ship it same day. Most of the time we pack things up all the way to 4pm so just call if you need it to leave same day after 2pm.

We ship mainly with Australia Post but may use a courier depending on location and size of the package.

Free Post ships with Australia Post standard and expected shipping times are between 4-6 business days depending on location. It will be longer to outside of metro and rural areas.

Express Post will usually be with you next business day in metro areas of QLD, NSW, SA, VIC and TAS. WA will take 2 days to metro and extra days after that to out side metro and rural areas.

Everything we ship has a tracking number with the exception of some power cables and smaller envelope packages. You will be emailed tracking once your order has been shipped!