The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Billy Zoom's Jet Set: Hiss cure for my Roland RE-201 "Space Echo"...

Hiss cure for my Roland RE-201 "Space Echo"...

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- Rated: 54 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 2:13 a.m. ADR:

Interesting!

I'm gone for a year or so and some cool space echo stuff surfaces in my absence.

As for the mod, ya, makes perfect sense. I've always said that the input impedance on the space echoes were so low that they dull the tone. I've been using my cable preamp for what seems forever, as it drives my whole signal very cleanly and consistently with a nice low output impedance (and a slight +3db signal boost). It's very similar, circuit wise to this buffer.

But for people who only use the space echo before their amp and don't want a separate buffer box, then this is THE trick, and with better high headroom to boot!

OR, a buffered tuner pedal in front should help out in a similar way if yer not mod savvy. Something like the Boss (TU-2?) or the Korg DT10.

Question, in the 301, where is the +17V tap again? I can't quite make it out from the photo. Do I have to go pull the service manual?
- Rated: 112 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 7:29 a.m. Curt:

I'm gone for a year or so and some cool space echo stuff surfaces in my absence.
ADR, you've been missed on these pages.
- Rated: 54 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 1:53 p.m. ADR:

Thx.

The last year has been mad. Maddening I tell ya.

In that time, I forgot about the 502 proxy error, but I just had a strong Pavlovian flinch when I tried just checking on 5 mins ago, and couldn't. Kinda comforting in a weird way, like a squeaky floorboard at my parents house that I always remember.
- Rated: 60 ↑
Jun 29, 2009 5:10 p.m. JBGretschguy:

ADR, I couldn't find anything labeled as #40, so I used a meter to find a 14 VDC on the closest connector at the edge of the input PCB.

Welcome back!
- Rated: 8 ↑
Jul 2, 2009 8:08 a.m. mad dog:

That is a neat looking mod Mr. Zoom. Might have to try it. In absence of that, the buffered pedal in front was my solution. Found that I could leave the setting in the middle position, as long as the right clean boost pedal comes just before the unit. The two that work best so far are the TIM and the Durham sex drive. Both can be set for a quite transparent boost. Gets the signal in higher, compensates for the lower output. Without doing this, I would not be using the RE-201.
- Rated: 7 ↑
Dec 26, 2009 6:30 a.m. mrock:

Hey guys, is this the impedence thing a only 201 problem? I have a 301.It is quite and the 6120 sounds great straight in. I do need to turn the treble and presence up a bit, but it isn't terrible if I don't. When I got it serviced part of the service done was 'calibrate eq gain'. Wonder if that helped??
- Rated: 60 ↑
Dec 26, 2009 10:33 a.m. JBGretschguy:

The mod applies to 301s, too. They all need the buffer to match the impedance of a guitar, as opposed to a keyboard or mic, etc.
- Rated: 75 ↑
Dec 26, 2009 3:04 p.m. BillyZoom:

The mod makes an incredible difference on either the 201 or 301. I realized after I posted that drawing that terminal #40 is only on the 201 circuit board. I'm sorry if I confused anyone. I hadn't taken that drawing out in a few years. I must have been working on a 201 when I drew it. I can post the correct 301 voltage source when I'm back at my shop on Monday. As you can see in that photo, you can just hang the new parts off the back of the input jack. Just be careful that it isn't touching the reverb pan when you put the unit back into the cabinet.
BZ
- Rated: 7 ↑
Dec 26, 2009 6:12 p.m. mrock:

Wow..to have my 301 sound better than it does already is gonna be something else! Billy that'd be great if you could post the 301 drawing. Thank you.