Journal Entry Number 5 Tension Springs - Do They Matter?

Hello again readers.

Today we are talking about the simple contraption that is a tone changer, that flat spring and its felt pad. As part of the masterful engineering feat that Mike Battle completed when he was designing the Echoplex, the days before this spring were sounding just "ok", but not legendary yet.

While Mike and Don were able to get the patent for the Echoplex without the spring, perhaps nobody would have missed it ultimately, who knows. The thing will echo with or without the spring. But to get the best tension on the tape loop they needed a little bit more pressure against the idler wheel. That little bit of pressure gives the Echoplex just what it needed to go from mediocre sounding repeats to hi fidelity studio quality echoes bringing whole lots of love to users and listeners alike.

Like a pair shoes that fit just right, that little piece of metal and felt is a game changer. It also screams of the Mike Battle way of doing things: thinking outside of the box, even the gray vinyl one you just invented. (Side note: the green ones started off gray. Sorry folks, that's the truth). It did take a little while into production for him to figure that key detail out. Some early EP1's have an extra post for the tape to run around before hitting the idler wheel, this was a precursor to the future spring: got closer, but not the whole way there.

If you do not have one of these, we offer them here on the website. Each one of our new cartridges include one as well. It's a must have piece in the search for ultimate Echoplex tone.

Many blessings to you! Thanks for reading.

Bart Postlewait